Asma al-Assad, the wife of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has reportedly filed for divorce, just as her husband is finding new ways to adjust to life as a refugee in Moscow. As the Assad family’s grand political ambitions crumble, Asma appears to be opting for a different path—one that leads straight back to Britain.
According to reports from The Jerusalem Post and various Turkish and Arab media outlets, Asma is dissatisfied with life in Russia, where she fled with her husband and three children after the Syrian government lost control of much of the country to rebel forces. After years of supporting Bashar’s brutal regime, it seems the reality of exile in Moscow has failed to match her expectations.
Bashar al-Assad, now living in Russia under tight restrictions, has not only lost his grip on power but is also facing significant financial and political restrictions. While Russia accepted him as a refugee, he’s been prohibited from leaving Moscow or engaging in any political activities. Adding to his woes, Russian authorities have frozen his assets, which are said to include 270 kilograms of gold, $2 billion in cash, and 18 properties in Moscow.
For Asma, born in London to Syrian parents, this exile seems to be the final straw. She holds dual British-Syrian citizenship, and although she’s spent years backing her husband’s regime, she’s now reportedly looking to return to her homeland. Asma, who studied at King’s College London before working in investment banking, married Bashar in December 2000. The couple has three children: Hafez, Zain, and Karim.
Since the start of the Syrian uprising, Asma has apparently wanted to leave Syria for good, but it took the collapse of her husband’s rule and his move to Russia for her to make a formal request for permission to leave Moscow. As of now, her request is under review by Russian authorities.
Bashar al-Assad’s time in exile is far from over, and while Asma looks to restart her life in Britain, her divorce filing adds yet another layer of complexity to a family already embroiled in a geopolitical mess. The irony of seeking a fresh start only after her husband is reduced to living under the watchful eye of Russian authorities is not lost on many observers. The Assad family’s fall from power seems to have finally taken its toll on their personal lives as well.
