Former Syrian President Assad wants to return to practicing ophthalmology while living in isolation in Russian exile

A report published this Monday in the British Guardian revealed new details about the current life of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

According to the report, Assad – who in his youth trained as an ophthalmologist at London’s Western Eye Hospital – has returned to studying the profession. A family friend told The Guardian that Assad sits in class and studies ophthalmology and Russian.

“This is his passion; he obviously doesn’t need the money. Even before the war in Syria began, he used to practice ophthalmology in Damascus,” associates of Assad said, adding that wealthy and elite Russians may seek his services in the future. Sources told The Guardian that the Assad family is most likely staying in Rublyovka, a luxury suburb of Moscow that reportedly is also home to former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, a supporter of Russia.

This month marked one year since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the rise of the new government led by former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa. Since receiving political asylum in Moscow, the former Syrian president has disappeared from the radar.

Despite a comfortable life, Assad is disconnected from Russia’s elite, and Vladimir Putin has no interest in meeting him. A source close to the Kremlin told The Guardian that the Russian president views Assad as “irrelevant.”

“Putin has very little patience for leaders who have lost their grip on power, and Assad no longer seems like an influential figure or even an interesting dinner guest,” the source said. “These are very quiet lives. He has very little, if any, contact with the outside world. He is only in touch with a few people who were in his palace, such as Mansour Azzam and Yasser Ibrahim, who were senior figures in his rule.”

A person close to the brother of the former Syrian ruler, Maher al-Assad, told The Guardian that Assad left the presidential palace in Damascus as the regime collapsed – without informing anyone. “Maher called Bashar for days, but he didn’t answer. He stayed in the palace until the very last second. Rebels found the coals of his hookah still warm. It was Maher, not Bashar, who allowed others to flee. Bashar only took care of himself,” the source said.

The report noted that Asma al-Assad, the former first lady of Syria, was diagnosed with leukemia early in the family’s stay in Russia, diverting her husband’s attention to her treatment. According to the report, Asma later recovered following experimental treatment under the supervision of Russian security services. It also said that Zein al-Assad, the daughter of the former Syrian president, shops for luxury clothing and is registered at a high-end pedicure salon and an exclusive gym in Moscow.

Additionally, Assad had reportedly aspired to live instead in the United Arab Emirates, as he speaks Arabic and would be welcomed by the country’s elite. However, the UAE was also uncomfortable with granting him asylum.