Syrian first lady Asma al-Assad has been diagnosed with leukemia, a spokesperson for her husband, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said.

Asma, 48, will undergo a special treatment protocol which will both require her to step away from public engagements and to isolate herself.

The statement added that Asma "was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia "after presenting with several symptoms and following a comprehensive series of medical tests and examinations."

In August 2019, Asma, a British native, announced that one year after being diagnosed with breast cancer, she was "completely" cancer-free.