The announcement of Asma al-Assad’s leukemia diagnosis has sparked mixed reactions among Syrians, with some expressing sympathy while others show little empathy towards the first lady.
Al-Assad, once seen as a glamorous figure, has become associated with the suppression of peaceful protests during Syria’s revolution.
Her diagnosis follows a previous battle with breast cancer. While regime supporters offer solidarity and well-wishes, opposition activists remain divided in their responses.
Among the Syrian opposition, reactions varied from muted responses to a lack of sympathy for al-Assad.
She is widely perceived as actively involved in her husband’s violent suppression of peaceful protests, which began during Syria’s 2011 revolution.
Qadir, a young Syrian opposition activist, conveyed strong sentiments towards Asma al-Assad, likening her and her family to leukemia. He expressed intense resentment, attributing suffering and pain to her actions, and vowed to maintain animosity towards her as long as she remains intertwined with the fate of Syria.
“Why was Asma al-Assad’s illness announced after the killing of the Iranian president? Is it an excuse for Bashar not participating in the funeral in Tehran?” Faisal al-Kasem, a prominent Syrian newscaster with Al-Jazeera, said on Tuesday.
The Syrian presidency announced on Tuesday that Asma al-Assad will undergo a specialized treatment protocol for her leukemia, which includes rigorous infection prevention measures as part of her treatment plan.
