[3] On 28 September 2012, it was reported that Bushra al-Assad had fled from Syria with her five children to seek refuge in the United Arab Emirates.

Administrative tasks and even much of the important decision-making was being delegated to Bushra, who set up her own office next to her father in the Presidential Palace.

In both cases, she mounted her own attempt at fighting for the succession, especially after Bashar's selection, believing him to be incompetent for the role.

[8] Bushra moved to the United Arab Emirates in September 2012[10] following her husband's death in a bomb blast.

[13] In 2019, it was reported that Bushra's daughter, Anisa, was studying spatial design at the University of the Arts London, despite being a member of a family subject to international sanctions.