Newsroom
Asma al-Assad, the wife of fallen Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, is facing a difficult reality in her battle with cancer. Diagnosed with leukemia in May, she is reportedly fighting for her life, with a 50-50 chance of survival, according to a recent report in The Daily Telegraph. Her condition, however, has led to a significant dilemma: despite being born and raised in the UK, Asma cannot return to Britain for treatment due to a government ban.
The UK government has made it clear that Asma, who holds both British and Syrian citizenship, would not be allowed entry, citing her status as a sanctioned individual. This means she is unable to travel back to the UK for cancer treatment, even though her father, a respected medical professional, has left Britain to be by her side in Russia. Asma's passport expired in 2020, and without valid UK travel documents, her situation has become even more complicated.
Living in Moscow with her family after being granted asylum by Russia, Asma hoped to return to the UK because, according to her father, her condition cannot be adequately monitored in Russia. While she is receiving medical care in Moscow, she reportedly feels that her health could be better managed in the UK. Despite her family's attempts to seek treatment elsewhere, her status as the wife of a brutal dictator has overshadowed her personal health struggles.
Asma drew significant condemnation for her unwavering support of her husband during the Syrian civil war, which saw horrific violence against civilians, including the use of chemical weapons and widespread torture. As a result, she remains a figure of controversy, and her cancer diagnosis has not shielded her from the diplomatic fallout of her past.
Now, as she faces this serious health battle, Asma’s plea to return to Britain for treatment has been denied, with the UK Foreign Secretary reiterating that she is "not welcome" due to the sanctions imposed on her for her role in supporting the Assad regime. This situation highlights the complex intersection of personal suffering and political consequence, as Asma’s citizenship and medical needs are caught in the crossfire of international sanctions and diplomatic tensions.
Source: The Daliy Beast
