Assad’s ‘Delusional’ Wife: Asma Defends Syria Crackdown
OPPONENTS of the Syrian regime have called Bashar al-Assad’s British-born wife “delusional” and attacked her “ostrich attitude” after she appeared to support her embattled husband in an email to The Times.
Asma, 36, has until now kept her own counsel while international condemnation has rained down upon her husband for violently suppressing opponents of his regime.
One estimate says the death toll has reached 95 after yesterday’s shelling of Homs by Assad’s forces, and reports say the offensive has resumed today.
Since serious unrest began last March, the western media have speculated what the daughter of a Harley Street cardiologist who attended private school in London and Imperial College must think of her husband’s violent suppression of dissent, especially given that she is a Sunni Muslim from Homs - the group that has suffered most severely.
Now, as The Times reports, the “carefully worded” email from her office appears to offer full support to her husband but also claims she has a role as peacemaker and consoler: “The President is the President of Syria, not a faction of Syrians, and the First Lady supports him in that role.
“The First Lady’s very busy agenda is still focused on supporting the various charities she has long been involved with and rural development as well as supporting the President as needed.
“These days she is equally involved in bridging gaps and encouraging dialogue. She listens to and comforts the families of the victims of the violence.”