Asma al-Assad, the wife of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, has reportedly filed for divorce and expressed her desire to return to the United Kingdom. Dissatisfied with her life in exile in Moscow, Asma’s decision signals yet another blow to the once-dominant Assad family.
Asma al-Assad: From London to Damascus and Exile
Asma al-Assad, born in London in 1975, holds dual British-Syrian citizenship. Raised in an environment far removed from the political turmoil of Syria, she completed her education at King’s College London, earning degrees in computer science and French literature.
Before her marriage to Bashar al-Assad in December 2000, she worked in investment banking, carving out a promising professional path.
Marrying into the Assad dynasty, Asma became Syria’s First Lady, known for her polished image and advocacy for modernization. However, her role became increasingly controversial as the Syrian Civil War erupted. With the Assad regime accused of widespread atrocities, Asma’s efforts to portray a compassionate public persona faced international criticism.
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The couple has three children: Hafez, Zein, and Karim. Reports suggest that Asma has long harbored a desire to return to London with her children, a wish intensified by the Syrian uprising that eventually dismantled the Assad regime’s power.
Life in Exile and a Strained Marriage
The Assads have been residing in Moscow since rebel forces breached Damascus, forcing Bashar al-Assad to flee Syria. Despite being granted asylum in Russia, Bashar faces severe restrictions.
Russian authorities have prohibited him from leaving Moscow or engaging in political activities and have frozen substantial assets, including 270 kilograms of gold, $2 billion in cash, and 18 properties.
Asma has reportedly grown dissatisfied with life in Moscow, prompting her to file for divorce. According to sources, she has applied to a Russian court for special permission to leave the country, with the application currently under review.
Her discontent is not just tied to Moscow’s harsh restrictions but also to the unraveling of the Assad family’s power and influence.
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Once hailed as a modernizing force in Syria, Asma now finds herself distanced from the life she envisioned. Her dissatisfaction has reportedly fueled tensions within the family, particularly with Bashar’s sister Bushra, who clashed with Asma over public prominence and the symbolic role of the “First Lady.”
The Decline of the Assad Dynasty
The Assad dynasty ruled Syria for over five decades, beginning with Hafez al-Assad’s rise to power through a military coup in 1970. Under Bashar al-Assad, the regime maintained its grip on a predominantly Sunni nation despite being an Alawite family, relying on an “inner circle” of trusted family members to hold key positions of influence.
Bashar’s younger brother, Maher al-Assad, played a pivotal role as the commander of Syria’s Republican Guard and the 4th Armoured Division.
Known for his alliance with Iran and control over the Shabiha militia, Maher faced international sanctions for his brutal suppression of protesters and alleged involvement in the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
Bushra al-Assad, Bashar’s only sister, acted as her brother’s secretary while maintaining significant influence through her marriage to General Asef Shawkat, a prominent military figure. The couple’s relationship with Asma was reportedly fraught with tension, reflecting deeper divisions within the family.
Rami Makhlouf, a first cousin of Bashar, controlled vast swathes of Syria’s economy, becoming the country’s wealthiest man. His dominance in telecommunications, energy, and retail underscored the family’s economic grip, but the uprising and subsequent exile eroded his influence.
The collapse of the Assad regime’s control in Syria has left its members scattered and disempowered. The ongoing war and accusations of war crimes have irreparably tarnished the family’s legacy, reducing their status from rulers of a nation to individuals seeking refuge.
Asma al-Assad’s decision to file for divorce and her desire to return to the UK highlight the personal and political fractures within the Assad family.
Her dissatisfaction with life in Moscow underscores the dramatic fall from power experienced by one of the Middle East’s most dominant dynasties. As the family’s influence continues to wane, Asma’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human consequences of political upheaval and exile.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏