By Sarbast Hassan
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Ali al-Laham is deeply frustrated with the high prices of food in his city of Douma in the eastern Ghouta in Damascus. The situation is compounded by the numerous checkpoints scattered throughout the city, which make it difficult for residents to access essential food supplies.
Ever since the Syrian government regained control of the eastern Ghouta in 2018, the city of Douma has been grappling with deteriorating living conditions and heightened security issues. This has had a severe impact on the residents of the area
Al-Laham, 38, a resident of Douma, told North Press that following the government’s control of Ghouta, many residents of Douma subjected to arrests, harassment, and torture by the security forces, particularly the young men who have refused mandatory or reserve military service.
Despite the passage of more than six years since the government’s re-control of the city, the residents are still facing ongoing harassment by government security checkpoints.
Al-Laham further revealed that the residents of Douma are constantly confronted with premeditated charges, such as collaborating with armed groups or opposition-affiliated humanitarian organizations.
Economic crisis
Checkpoints not only hinder the entry of food supplies but also impede the movement of the population, causing delays in traveling from one place to another and increasing transportation fees.
According to al-Laham, this situation burdens the citizens and adversely affects their psychological well-being, fueling feelings of helplessness in meeting their daily expensive requirements.
Furthermore, this situation also negatively affects living conditions, leading to a severe economic crisis. The prices of food, fuel, and construction materials have significantly increased due to hiking fuel prices and bribes paid at military checkpoints, al-Laham noted.
In addition to the economic consequences, al-Laham highlighted that the residents also face significant challenges in accessing goods and essential supplies. The presence of military checkpoints compels them to pay bribes in order to pass through, resulting in inflated prices and complicating their access to necessary items.
The burden of these additional costs puts further strain on the already struggling population, making it even more difficult for them to secure their basic requirements.
The combination of economic pressures and restricted access to goods creates a complex and challenging environment for the residents, impacting their quality of life and overall well-being, according to al-Laham.
“Consequently, there has been a decline in income and basic services, worsening poverty, unemployment, and prompting residents to migrate to neighboring countries or seek alternative routes to reach European Union countries,” he told North Press.
Ahmad Saeed, 22, a resident of Harasta city and a civil engineering student at Damascus University, hopes of becoming an engineer to contribute in the reconstruction of his war-torn country.
Despite Saeed’s fervent hopes and aspirations, his dreams are hauntingly accompanied by grave risks. He fears being apprehended at checkpoints under the pretense of mandatory service.
Ongoing destruction
The cities of eastern Ghouta, near Damascus, continue to witness extensive destruction in many vital facilities, including roads, bridges, buildings, schools, and hospitals.
Vital facilities in Douma have suffered significant damage due to the ongoing war in Syria. Most schools, hospitals, health centers, mosques, and historical landmarks in the city have either collapsed or been severely damaged.
On April 7, 2018, a chemical weapons attack took place in the city of Douma during the forced evacuation operations from the eastren Ghouta, which had been under the control of the Syrian government forces for five years.
78 civilians were killed during the attack, in addition to hundreds being injured, with the majority being children and women who were compelled to flee after receiving treatment.
On January 27, 2023, the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said that there are “reasonable grounds” to believe that the Air Forces of the Syrian government were the perpetrators of the chemical weapons attack in Douma.
The report said that at least one Syrian air force Mi8/17 helicopter dropped two yellow cylinders on the city killing 43 individuals and affecting dozens more.
This widespread devastation has a profound impact on the lives of the residents, as they face immense challenges in accessing basic services, healthcare, and education.