Leaked documents suggest that Asma al-Assad, the wife of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, had secret ties to British intelligence agencies before her marriage. These allegations paint her as a pivotal figure in shaping Syria’s domestic and foreign policies, as well as in handling covert communications between the Syrian regime and Israel.
This comes just days after reports emerged that Asma, battling leukemia, was unable to travel to the UK for treatment due to the expiration of her British passport.
Links to British Intelligence Before Marriage
The leaked documents, reported by Syrian journalist Nizar Nayouf and the media outlet Watanserb, claim that while working as a banker in the UK during the 1990s, Asma was also allegedly involved in intelligence-gathering operations for British spy agencies. Her role reportedly included financial data analysis and investment oversight, activities that allegedly doubled as covert intelligence efforts.
Suspicions Surfaced in the Early 1990s
According to the documents, suspicions about Asma’s ties to the UK intelligence community were raised as early as 1992. Former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, Bashar’s father, reportedly expressed concerns about his son marrying Asma due to her connections to Britain.
One set of documents from the archives of then-Syrian Military Intelligence Chief Ali Duba suggests that Asma’s mother allegedly facilitated secret meetings between Bashar and British intelligence officers, as well as members of British special forces.
Influence on Syrian Policy and Israel Negotiations
The documents further claim that Asma played a significant role in shaping Syria’s military and political institutions. She reportedly participated in discussions involving peace negotiations between Syria and Israel, working alongside Western entities such as the Henry Jackson Society, a think tank with links to Western intelligence circles.
A leaked document from 1994 details that Bashar al-Assad himself was under surveillance in the UK. These monitored meetings reportedly included high-level discussions about Syria’s political future and potential peace agreements with Israel, involving British officials and other influential figures.
Efforts to Destroy Intelligence Archives in Syria
In recent years, Syrian intelligence agencies have reportedly worked to destroy extensive portions of their archives, possibly to prevent further leaks of sensitive information.
Unverified but Troubling Allegations
While these allegations remain unverified by independent sources, and no official responses have been issued by the Syrian regime or the intelligence agencies implicated, the leaked documents raise serious questions about Asma al-Assad’s influence on both Syrian and regional politics.
This exposé adds another layer of intrigue to the Assad regime, raising doubts about its internal dynamics and external relationships, including those with Western nations and Israel.
