Asma al-Assad, the wife of the former Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, is critically ill with leukemia, according to reports from The Telegraph. Doctors have placed her chances of survival at “50/50” and have isolated her to minimize the risk of infection. Asma, who is unable to be in close proximity to anyone due to her fragile health, has been kept in seclusion.

Her father, Fawaz Akhras, a prominent cardiologist, has taken on the responsibility of caring for her in Moscow. Sources with direct knowledge of the situation have stated that Akhras is deeply “heartbroken” over his daughter’s condition. Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime after over a decade of devastating civil war, the family sought refuge in Moscow.

In May, the Syrian presidency revealed that Asma had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a severe form of cancer affecting the bone marrow and blood. This follows her previous battle with breast cancer, which she had successfully overcome in 2019 after a year of treatment, declaring herself “completely” cancer-free.

It is feared that her leukemia has returned after a period of remission. “Asma is dying,” one source close to the family shared, adding, “She can’t be in the same room with anyone [because of her condition].” Another source familiar with the family’s situation mentioned the vicious nature of recurring leukemia: “When leukemia comes back, it’s vicious. She has been 50/50 in the last few weeks.”

Asma al-Assad, who holds both Syrian and British citizenship and is 49 years old, is thought to have traveled to Moscow for treatment before her husband’s government collapsed and he was pressured to flee. Her father, Fawaz Akhras, has been caring for her for most of the last six months, initially in the UAE and now in Moscow.

Reports have also emerged that Asma is frustrated by the restrictions she faces in Moscow and is reportedly seeking treatment in London, even expressing a desire for a divorce. While the Assads have not publicly addressed these claims, the Kremlin has denied that Asma is looking to separate from her husband.

Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, commented this week that it would be “an affront to the millions of Assad’s victims if his wife returned to a life of luxury in the UK.” The Telegraph also reveals that the divorce rumors likely originated from Turkish journalists, who were reportedly briefed by Russian diplomats.

Although Russia has provided substantial military and financial support to the Assad regime since 2015, sources suggest that the relationship between Putin and Assad has recently cooled. The two leaders are said to be increasingly wary of each other, with Moscow frustrated by Assad’s unwillingness to implement reforms or engage with opposition groups. Analysts argue that Assad’s failure, despite Russian assurances of security, has become an embarrassment for Putin.

Assad’s downfall also threatens Russia’s strategic interests in Syria, particularly the loss of the port of Tartus and several military bases that have become critical to Russia’s operations in the Mediterranean and Africa. Asma al-Assad was raised in Acton, West London, alongside her father, Fawaz Akhras, her mother, Sahar, a former Syrian diplomat, and her brothers Feras, 46, and Eyad, 44, who are both doctors.

She earned a first-class degree in computer science from King’s College London and worked in investment banking before meeting Bashar al-Assad in 1992. At the time, Assad was not expected to succeed his father, but following the tragic death of his brother Bassel in 1996, he became the heir and assumed the presidency in 2000. Their initially progressive and Western-friendly public image was shattered after Assad violently suppressed pro-democracy protests in 2011, leading to the eruption of civil war.

For her support of her husband’s regime, Asma has been sanctioned, and the UK Foreign Secretary emphasized this month that she should not be allowed back into the country. David Lammy stated, “I want it confirmed that she’s a sanctioned individual and is not welcome here in the UK,” adding that he would do “everything I can in my power” to prevent any member of the Assad family from finding refuge in the UK.

Bashar and Asma al-Assad have three children: Hafez, a PhD student; Zein; and Karim. The family has joined them in Moscow, along with extended relatives.

{Matzav.com}