In brief
Despite media buzz, Kremlin spokesperson denies claims regarding Asma al-Assad's marital status and living conditions, asserting their alliance remains intact.
The Kremlin has rejected claims that Asma al-Assad, the British-born wife of Syria's ousted president Bashar al-Assad, is seeking a divorce. This clarification follows Turkish media reports suggesting that Mrs. Assad intends to leave her husband and return to London, where she would be facing restrictions due to being a sanctioned individual.Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, stated that the reports are "not correspond to reality" during a recent news conference. He also dismissed rumors of Bashar al-Assad being confined in Moscow or that his assets had been frozen, highlighting the continued support of Russia for the Assad regime during the ongoing civil war.The reports had sparked speculation about the couple's living conditions in the Russian capital. Asma al-Assad, born in the UK in 1975, has become a polarizing figure due to her association with her husband's controversial governance. Despite holding dual nationality, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy previously indicated she would be barred entry to the UK, emphasizing that no member of the Assad family would be welcomed.Reflecting on her past, Asma al-Assad garnered international attention as the first lady of Syria. A pre-civil war Vogue article famously dubbed her "a rose in the desert," though the narrative shifted dramatically following the outbreak of violence in Syria. Mrs. Assad faced backlash for her silence during the regime's violent suppression of dissent, which has led to the deaths of approximately half a million people since the civil war began.In recent years, she has publicly battled health issues, including breast cancer, for which she announced a full recovery, only to subsequently be diagnosed with leukemia. She recently announced her intention to "temporarily withdraw" from public engagements for treatment.
