The wife of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Asma al-Assad, has begun treatment in Moscow for a recurrence of blood cancer, the Financial Times reports.

According to media reports, Asma Asad arrived in Moscow a few weeks before her husband left his homeland.

In addition, Asma Asad's parents are in the Russian capital. The Asads' daughter Zain, who studies at the Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi, has also arrived in Moscow.

The former Syrian first lady was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia this year, and in 2019, Asma Asad had a malignant breast tumor removed. At the time, she reported her recovery.