Bushra al-Assad

Bushra al-Assad, born in October 1960, second child and only daughter of the late Hafez al-Assad. Sister of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and wife of Assef Shawqat, head of the Syrian Military Intelligence apparatus since 2005.

Bushra is reported to be highly intelligent and enjoyed a close personal connection with her father Hafez al-Assad. Although holding no official office, Bushra reportedly asserts considerable influence as member of the ruling family.

It is reported that she helped convince her father that jailing her uncle, Rifaat al-Assad, after his failed 1984 coup attempt would disgrace the family..

Bushra received her degree in pharmacy in 1982 from Damascus University. At university Bushra be-friended Buthaina Shaaban who is now member of the Syrian Cabinet. [http://www.mideastmonitor.org/issues/0609/0609_5.htm Dossier: Bushra Assad (September-October 2006) ] ] [ [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-3884051_ITM Interview With Syrian Cabinet Minister Buthaina Shaaban; Interview With Arlen Specter. | International Wire (February, 2005) ] ] Some sources report that it was Shaaban that introduced Bushra to Assef Shawkat, an army officer 10 years her senior and reportedly married with a reputation for womanizing.

Despite family opposition, Bushra married Assef Shawkat in early 1995.

Since the death of her brother Basel al-Assad in 1994, Bushra has been credited with increasing influence. She is reported to have played a major role in guiding the development of Syria's pharmaceutical industry. Bushra is also reported to have worked for her husband to gain acceptance and recognition. In the late 1990s Assef Shawkat assumed key security roles within Syria's military and intelligence apparatus. [ [http://www.cedarsrevolution.net/jtphp/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1371&Itemid=30 World Council for the Cedars Revolution - Syria: Trouble in Damascus ] ]

Tensions between Bushra and Syria's first lady Asma al-Assad have been reported. Since Asma's marriage to the Syrian president in 2000, Asma has defied social conventions by frequently appearing in public and in the media. It is reported that Bushra has disapproved of Asma taking such a public role.

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