Kremlin Denies Reports of Divorce by Assad’s Wife
The Kremlin has denied reports claiming that Asma al-Assad, the British-born wife of deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, is seeking a divorce. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, dismissed the allegations, stating, “No, they do not correspond to reality.”
Turkish media outlets had suggested that Asma al-Assad intended to end her marriage and return to the UK, where she was born. The reports also claimed that the Assads were living under severe restrictions in Moscow, where they were granted asylum after Bashar al-Assad’s regime was overthrown by a rebel coalition.
Peskov also refuted claims that Bashar al-Assad had been confined to Moscow or had his assets frozen. Russia has been a strong ally of the Assad regime, providing military support during the Syrian civil war.
The Assads in Russia
Despite the Kremlin’s denials, Turkish media on Sunday reported that Asma al-Assad had filed for divorce and wished to return to London. Asma, who holds dual Syrian-British citizenship, has faced significant challenges in her attempts to return to the UK. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy previously stated that she would not be allowed to re-enter Britain, emphasizing her status as a sanctioned individual.
Speaking in parliament, Lammy confirmed, “I want it confirmed that she’s a sanctioned individual and is not welcome here in the UK,” adding that he would do everything in his power to prevent any member of the Assad family from finding refuge in the UK.
Bashar al-Assad’s Escape from Syria
Bashar al-Assad, in a statement last week, clarified that he had never intended to flee Syria. He explained that he was airlifted from a Russian military base at Moscow’s request as the situation in Syria became increasingly dire.
Asma al-Assad’s Background and Role
Asma al-Assad, born in the UK in 1975, grew up in Acton, West London, and moved to Syria in 2000. She married Bashar al-Assad shortly after he succeeded his father as president. Throughout her tenure as Syria’s first lady, Asma became a controversial figure in Western media.
In 2011, a Vogue profile described her as “a rose in the desert,” calling her “the freshest and most magnetic of first ladies.” However, the article was removed after Asma faced criticism for remaining silent while her husband violently repressed pro-democracy protests at the onset of the Syrian civil war. The conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of nearly half a million people, saw Bashar al-Assad accused of using chemical weapons on civilians.
Asma al-Assad’s Health Struggles
Asma’s personal health struggles have also drawn attention. In 2016, she rejected an offer for safe passage out of Syria, choosing to stand by her husband during the war. In 2018, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer but announced a full recovery one year later.
This year, she was diagnosed with leukemia and began treatment in May 2024. The office of Bashar al-Assad announced that Asma would “temporarily withdraw” from public engagements while undergoing treatment.
Despite the ongoing reports of her personal life and health, the Kremlin’s recent statements aim to quell rumors and clarify Asma’s position within the Assad family’s current circumstances in Russia.
