Syrian First Lady Asma al-Assad has been diagnosed with leukemia, the Syrian President announced on Tuesday. The diagnosis comes nearly five years after she was declared fully recovered from breast cancer.
Asma, 48, will be subject to a special treatment protocol that requires her to self-isolate, forcing the first lady to withdraw from public engagements.
In August 2019, Asma stated that she was completely cured of breast cancer, which she said was detected early.
Since Syria fell into war in 2011, the British-born former investment banker has taken on a public role, leading charities and finding the families of fallen soldiers, but she has also become a hated opposition figure.