Rebel forces claim Asma Assad, a graduate of King’s College, London and a former investment banker, had tried to flee with her children.

They were in a convoy which was also carrying the president’s mother and cousin. Sources told Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry-Al-Youm that ‘a convoy of official vehicles was seen heading to the airport in Damascus’.

The convoy was intercepted by brigades of army defectors and, coming under heavy fire, turned back to the city’s presidential palace.