Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's comments about his wife Latifa al-Droubi have sparked widespread reaction on social media after he revealed she lived with him in caves and difficult conditions, moving between 49 homes over 14 years.

In her first official appearance to mark the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha, the previously hidden wife has been moved into a more public role, filling the role of the former role of Asma al-Assad, who fled with her husband and family in December when the previous regime fell.

Mr Al-Sharaa spoke during a meeting with his wife on June 7 and a delegation of Syrian women in Damascus, state news media outlet SANA reported.

"My wife lived with me in caves for 14 years. We moved between 49 residences, averaging one home every three months, and this is difficult for a woman," al-Sharaa said, stunning reporters with her previous low-key existence.

The Syrian president said his wife remained with him throughout the difficult period they experienced, noting they married under unusual circumstances in 2012.

"We lived in very difficult places, such as caves, and in good places at the same time, depending on work circumstances," he said.

"I tried many times to convince her to leave for a safer place with the children, but she always refused and remained steadfast."

Al-Sharaa addressed his guest, saying: "Today we are sitting here, but before we reached this place, we went through very harsh circumstances, and at every stage, at every moment, she was beside me, steadfast."

The president said his wife's experience embodies the vital role Syrian women play in facing challenges, emphasising their central position in building families and society.

Al-Sharaa called for highlighting stories of Syrian women who stood firmly beside their husbands during pivotal stages in the country's history.

He confirmed Syria is currently going through a state-building phase where women occupy a fundamental corner, saying: "Women are half of society, as they say. Without women, humanity's existence would not have continued."

Al Droubi made her first appearance earlier in April, where she met with fellow hijab-clad Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan, who has acted as a support to the new First Lady, according to some sources speaking with bnm IntelliNews.

Islamists who have fallen out with the gradual formation of the new Syrian Republic previously stated that her appearance in the form of a first lady was not permitted during the April meeting.

Hani al-Sibai, who is a refugee in the United Kingdom, criticised al-Droubi for appearing on the international stage, directly attacking the new Syrian president for “allowing” his wife to appear in public.

The cleric said al-Sharaa's actions were contrary to Sharia and a further gesture aimed at "appeasing" the West.

Several other Islamists and jihadists, including supporters of al-Sharaa's now governing group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), also complained over his wife's public appearance. With several groups criticising her for not wearing a face covering niqab instead of the more standard hijab.

So far, it has only been men criticising al Droubi for her public appearances with women in the country, appearing to favour her public appearances.