THE wife of Syrian dictator Bashir al-Assad is being treated for breast cancer, the country’s presidency has announced.

Asma al-Assad, 42, was pictured sitting in hospital with what looked like an IV drip in her left arm, in a post on both Facebook and Twitter.

Next to her was her husband of 18 years, Bashir, who wished her a speedy recovery.

The message said: "Mrs Asma al-Assad begins the first stage of treatment for a malignant breast tumour that was discovered early... the Presidency and its team wish Mrs Asma a speedy recovery."

In a statement the presidency said he had shown "strength, confidence and faith" as she started the early stages of treatment.

Born and raised in London Asma has been a contentious figure and was placed under EU sanctions in 2012 over the Syrian government’s violent response to the country’s uprising.

Born in London to Syrian parents in 1975 she grew up in Acton and attended Twyford Church of England High School and then a private girls' school, Queen's College, London.

She graduated from King's College, London in 1996 with a first-class degree in computer science.

She has consistently stood by her husband despite allegations of war crimes.

The FBI has claimed that at least ten Europeans were tortured by the Assad administration while detained during the Syrian civil war.

Assad is believed to have used sarin in a chemical attack on Khan Sheikhoun in April 2017 which killed 80 people.

A year later there was another chemical attack on the town of Douma.

Both Assad and the Syrian authorities have consistently denied the allegations.