Syrian first lady diagnosed with leukemia
RTMAY 2 2024
Report: Asma al-Assad Has '50/50' Odds of Survival After Leukemia Diagnosis
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Above: Syrian President Bashar Assad and his wife, Asma, attend the opening ceremony of the 2022 Asian Games at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province on Sept. 23, 2023. Image copyright: Philip FONG/AFP/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
The wife of deposed Syrian Pres. Bashar al-Assad, Asma, has reportedly been given a "50/50" chance of survival after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, family sources have told The Telegraph newspaper.
The 49-year-old Asma, residing in Moscow with her husband after militants captured Damascus earlier this month, was diagnosed in May with the disease, which has returned after a period of remission. She is reportedly being taken care of by her father, cardiologist Fawaz Akhras.
This follows Turkish media reports claiming that the British-born Asma was seeking to divorce Bashar and return to the UK, allegations that Russia denied. The Kremlin also denied claims that the Assads had their assets frozen or were subject to strict living conditions in Moscow.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The Assad regime was one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world, and they should be made pariahs on the world stage. Far too many Syrians have suffered for Asma and Bashar to escape accountability. No Assad family member should be allowed to return to a free country without arrest. Russia must turn them over to the authorities with due haste.
Establishment-critical narrative
Besieged by Western powers and weakened by conflict at home, the Assad presidency did the right thing by resigning and allowing new leadership to take over in Syria. Now, a vengeful Western world could refuse the right of an ill British citizen to return to her home country for treatment.
