In 2016, Mrs Assad told Russian state-backed television she had rejected a deal to offer her safe passage out of the war-torn nation in order to stand by her husband.

Months later, more civilians were also given safe passage out of the Old City, as well as the fighters who moved on to continue their fight in other parts of Syria.

Sultani, 25, had left his wife and two young children further back as he tried to get nearer to the gate and secure their passage out the of the country.

In August 2023, the government fired the heads of military recruitment in all 24 regions of the country after it became widely known that they were systematically soliciting bribes to allow men to avoid recruitment and gain safe passage out of the country.

The vessels are at risk of rupture at any time and, because they obstruct the baby's passage out of the uterus, natural birth is impossible.