In brief
Amid swirling rumors, the Kremlin has dismissed claims that Asma al-Assad has filed for divorce from her husband, former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
The British-born spouse of deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is not pursuing a divorce, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. This statement comes in response to Turkish media reports suggesting that Asma al-Assad was looking to exit her marriage and depart from Russia, where both she and her husband have sought asylum following the overthrow of the Assad regime.During a news conference inquiry, Peskov firmly stated, "No, they do not correspond to reality," addressing assertions that Bashar al-Assad has been confined to Moscow and that his properties have been targeted for freezing. As a historical ally of the Assad government, Russia has provided military backing throughout the Syrian civil war, making these revelations particularly sensitive.The recent Turkish media reports have hinted at a constrained and heavily monitored life for the couple in Moscow, with claims that Mrs. Assad wishes to return to London, her native city. Asma al-Assad holds dual Syrian-British nationality, but UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has indicated that she would not be permitted to return to Britain. In earlier parliamentary comments, Lammy confirmed that she is a sanctioned individual and vowed to ensure that no Assad family member would find refuge in the UK.In a statement attributed to Bashar al-Assad, it was claimed he never planned to leave Syria but was nonetheless evacuated at the request of Russian authorities from a military base. The couple has shared a lengthy history together, marrying shortly after Bashar succeeded his father in 2000. Mrs. Asma al-Assad, aged 49, originally hails from the UK and was raised in Acton, west London before relocating to Syria. Throughout her tenure as Syria's first lady, she amassed substantial media attention, notably from a controversial 2011 Vogue article that portrayed her positively, despite the ongoing violent repression of opposition movements in Syria. Her poignant decisions, such as refusing a safe exit deal in 2016 to support her husband, have raised eyebrows throughout her husband's tenure, especially as the civil war has led to a staggering loss of life and widespread accusations against the Assad regime for atrocities, including chemical weapon usage. More recently, Asma has faced health challenges, being diagnosed with leukaemia earlier this year and undergoing treatment, which has temporarily limited her public commitments.
