Bashar al-Assad and his family fled Syria on December 8 following an 11-day rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), after years of civil war triggered by his violent crackdown on anti-government protests in 2011. The conflict has claimed the lives of over 500,000 people and displaced more than half of the country's population.

Assad, is reportedly battling leukemia, an aggressive cancer of the bone marrow and blood, and has a 50-50 chance of survival.

Asma Assad, the former Syrian first lady and wife of deposed President Bashar al-Assad is reportedly under medical observation after being diagnosed with leukemia. According to several media reports,

The wife of deposed Syrian leader Bashar Assad is severely ill with leukaemia and has been given a 50/50 chance of survival, media reports have claimed. Asma Assad is being isolated to prevent infection and cannot be in the same room as other people,

Earlier reports – denied by the Kremlin – suggest Asma al-Assad wants to divorce her husband and leave Russia for treatment in London.

Asma Assad, wife of ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad, is critically ill with leukaemia and has a 50/50 chance of survival.

Assad, wife of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who is reportedly gravely ill with leukemia. Her battle has cast a shadow over her life as she remains isolated for treatment in Moscow, according to Ziare.