Bashar al Assad's Wife Asma Seeks Divorce, Plans To Relocate To UK With Children: Report

Asma al-Assad, wife of the deposed Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, has reportedly filed for divorce and expressed her desire to return to the United Kingdom, according to Turkish and Arab media sources cited by The Jerusalem Post*.

The report states that Asma al-Assad is unhappy with her life in Moscow, where the Assads have been living in exile. Asma is allegedly seeking special permission from a Russian court to leave the country, and her application is currently under review by Russian authorities.

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Born in London in 1975 to Syrian parents, Asma al-Assad holds dual British-Syrian citizenship. She earned degrees in computer science and French literature from King's College London before pursuing a career in investment banking.

Asma married Bashar al-Assad in December 2000, and they have three children: Hafez, Zein, and Karim. Since the Syrian uprising began, Asma is said to have sought to relocate to London with her children.

Bashar al-Assad, now living in asylum in Moscow, faces severe restrictions imposed by Russian authorities. Although his asylum request was granted, he is prohibited from leaving Moscow or engaging in political activities. Russian authorities have also frozen his assets, which reportedly include 270 kilograms of gold, $2 billion in cash, and 18 properties in Moscow.

The Assad dynasty, which ruled Syria for over five decades, has seen its control collapse. Rebel forces breached the capital, Damascus, forcing Bashar to flee and effectively ending the family's hold on power.

The Assads, an Alawite family, had long dominated the predominantly Sunni nation. Their rule began in 1970 under Bashar's father, Hafez al-Assad, who came to power through a military coup amid political instability in Syria.

Bashar's rule relied heavily on a tightly-knit "inner circle," consisting of family members who held key positions of power and influence. His younger brother, Maher al-Assad, was the commander of Syria's Republican Guard and the 4th Armoured Division, overseeing military operations and maintaining an alliance with Iran. He also directed the Shabiha militia, a group notorious for protecting regime interests through violent means. Maher has been sanctioned by the EU for his role in the suppression of protesters and is linked to the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Bashar's only sister, Bushra al-Assad, served as his secretary and married General Asef Shawkat, a key military figure, in 1995. Bushra reportedly had conflicts with Asma over her public prominence, preferring to keep the title of "First Lady" associated with their mother, Anisa.

Rami Makhlouf, Bashar's first cousin, controlled a significant portion of Syria's economy, with interests in telecom, retail, and energy, and was Syria's wealthiest man.