Asma al-Assad, the wife of deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, has reportedly filed for divorce and expressed her unhappiness with life in Moscow. This news comes weeks after Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed, and the family fled Syria for asylum in Russia.
Dissatisfaction in Moscow and Plans for the UK
According to reports, Asma al-Assad is seeking to move back to the United Kingdom, where she was born and raised. Turkish and Arab media have reported that she has applied to a Russian court for special permission to leave Moscow. Currently, her request is under review by Russian authorities.
Asma, who holds dual citizenship in Syria and the UK, has expressed frustration with the restrictions placed on her family’s movements and assets in Russia. Reports suggest that she is deeply dissatisfied with her new life in exile, citing the conditions under which they are living and her desire to return to a more familiar environment.
The Assad Family’s Exile and Restrictions
Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia following a swift offensive by rebel forces, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), that culminated in the capture of Damascus in early December. While Russia, a long-standing ally of Assad, granted asylum to the family on humanitarian grounds, their life in Moscow is reportedly far from comfortable.
- Restrictions on Movement: Bashar al-Assad is reportedly barred from leaving Moscow or engaging in political activities.
- Asset Freeze: Russian authorities have frozen the family’s considerable wealth, including $2 billion in cash, 270 kilograms of gold, and 18 luxury apartments in Moscow.
- Brother’s Asylum Denied: Notably, Bashar al-Assad’s brother, Maher al-Assad, has not been granted asylum. His request is still under review.
Asma’s Background and Marriage
Born and raised in London, Asma al-Assad moved to Syria in 2000 and married Bashar al-Assad that same year at the age of 25. The couple’s marriage and her role as Syria’s first lady have been scrutinized over the years, especially during the country’s brutal civil war.
Asma’s decision to file for divorce has further underscored the challenges facing the Assad family in exile. While Bashar remains confined to Moscow under strict conditions, Asma appears determined to carve out a new path for herself, potentially in her home country of the UK.
The Fall of the Assad Regime
The collapse of Assad’s regime marked the end of decades of authoritarian rule in Syria. Rebel groups, with significant momentum from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, launched a decisive offensive that overwhelmed the Syrian government’s defenses. The fall of Damascus in early December led to Assad’s flight to Russia, effectively ending his reign.
Although Russia offered asylum to Assad and his immediate family, the situation is far from stable. With frozen assets and strict monitoring, the family’s life in exile is a stark contrast to their former position of power.
