Asma – Assad’s spy wife

Once hailed as the “rose of the desert” and the modern face of Syria, Asma al-Assad was widely admired and even compared to the British-born Princess Diana. However, the former first lady is now in the spotlight not only for her health struggles and rumors of a potential divorce from her husband, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but also for serious allegations regarding her ties to British intelligence.

Asma al-Assad, who recently began treatment for a recurrence of cancer in Moscow—just weeks before her husband’s regime faced significant political turmoil—has reportedly been kept in isolation due to the risk of infectious diseases. But beyond these personal challenges, new claims suggest her involvement with British intelligence agencies. Leaked documents have surfaced alleging that Asma al-Assad was recruited by MI6, the British foreign intelligence service, during her time at JPMorgan Chase in London in the mid-1990s. According to these reports, her mission was to influence key figures within the Syrian regime and strategically alter the country’s power dynamics.

The first of the leaked documents details Asma al-Assad’s alleged interactions with British intelligence. One document reveals that Asma held a private meeting with Eliza Manningham-Buller, a senior officer at MI5, at The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel. Interestingly, the meeting was also attended by Bashar al-Assad, who would later become the country’s president. According to the documents, the meeting had been arranged by Asma’s mother, Sahar al-Akhras. Additional documents suggest that in 1994, Asma attended another private meeting—this one organized by her father, Dr. Fawaz al-Akhras—at their family home in Exton. The meeting included British military and civilian officials and focused on Syrian-Israeli relations and regional peace talks. 

The latest allegations suggest that Asma al-Assad played a pivotal role in dismantling certain military units within the Syrian army, including the Republican Guard. This position places her at the intersection of both intelligence operations and Syria’s internal political landscape, where her influence may have been far-reaching. According to these reports, Asma’s ties to former MI6 chief Colin McCall were instrumental in her recruitment and the instructions she received. McCall is said to have played a central role in her involvement with British intelligence, raising questions about the extent of her influence on Syria’s internal affairs.

The allegations extend beyond espionage, suggesting that Asma al-Assad was also involved in a broader political agenda. This included fostering covert relations between Syria and the United Kingdom. Her reported involvement in brokering sensitive negotiations and influencing high-level decisions suggests that she may have played a crucial role in shaping Syria’s political direction, further blurring the lines between intelligence and diplomacy. These revelations have sparked concerns about the extent of foreign influence within the Assad regime, particularly regarding its internal decision-making processes.

Another significant claim in the leaked documents is that Bashar al-Assad’s activities were closely monitored by both British and Syrian intelligence while he was studying in the UK. According to the reports, Assad’s academic focus went beyond his formal training, with particular attention paid to political matters and his future political trajectory. While his meetings appeared to be of a social nature, they were reportedly politically charged. Intelligence gathered on his views on Syrian-Israeli relations and regional policy played a role in assessing his future leadership direction. Documents purportedly from Syrian intelligence also reveal that these reports were presented to his father, Hafez al-Assad, and bear the signature of the then-head of Syrian intelligence, Lieutenant General Ali Issa Duba.

Observers have drawn parallels between Asma al-Assad's story and other high-profile cases of espionage. Her British upbringing and professional experience in international finance positioned her as a unique figure within the Assad regime. Critics argue that these factors allowed her to serve as an effective cover for intelligence operations designed to further Syria’s strategic interests. As these allegations continue to unfold, they paint a picture of a woman at the heart of a complex web of espionage, political manipulation, and international intrigue.

The leaked documents detailing Asma al-Assad’s alleged ties to British intelligence have ignited widespread outrage among international observers and Syrian opposition groups. Calls for further investigations into the accusations are intensifying, with some even urging the United Nations to look into the potential impact of such espionage on regional stability. The revelations have raised serious concerns about foreign interference and the influence of external powers in shaping the course of Syria’s internal political landscape.

In response to the leaks, the Assad family has remained notably silent, refusing to comment on the authenticity or implications of the information. This silence has only fueled speculation about the veracity of the claims and the potential consequences for Asma al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad, and the Syrian regime at large.

In light of these allegations, it is important to consider the broader context of recent events surrounding Syria and the Assad family. In December of last year, the Assad regime, which had ruled Syria for 53 years, was overthrown. Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, where he sought refuge. As the international community continues to uncover the full extent of the Assad regime’s brutal actions, the crimes committed during his tenure are gradually being exposed.

Asma al-Assad, meanwhile, has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with her life in Moscow and is allegedly planning to divorce her husband in order to move to London. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has denied these reports. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy further weighed in, stating that, despite her dual Syrian-British citizenship, Asma al-Assad would not be allowed entry into the UK following the fall of Damascus.

In another notable development, on December 27, Lebanese authorities arrested Bashar al-Assad’s cousin, Duraid Assad, along with his wife and daughter, at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport. They were accused of attempting to leave the country with fraudulent passports, adding yet another layer of intrigue and controversy to the Assad family's already complicated and turbulent situation.