DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Many Syrians are upset at the indifference on display by the so-called ‘friendly states’ to the sufferings of ordinary Syrians.
They say Russia and Iran know that the Syrian people have been living in the dark for years and are suffering from the harsh winter weather, as heating oil, cooking gas, and other necessities are absent from most Syrian’s homes.
Sources expressed to North Press that these states benefit at the expense of Syrians; they must compensate them. It is not a favor, they say, but rather a duty.
A shop owner at the al-Buzuriyah Souq in Damascus, who preferred to remain unnamed, said that Syria is constantly under attack by Israeli airstrikes targeting the Iranian presence in Syria. This requires Iran to help Syrians.
Rastam Qadour, the owner of a second-hand clothing shop in Damascus’ al-Itfaiye neighborhood, expressed deep resentment at his living conditions, adding that the long-lasting power outages keep his shop in the dark even during daylight.
He recalled the missiles that occasionally hit Damascus “as a result of Iran’s presence” in Syria. “Why does Syria offer all of this for nothing?” he wonders.
Russia, Too
Resentment over Russia’s presence in Syria is, however, no less intense, especially as many feel Russia has “robbed” Syria of its resources and created exclusive zones that ordinary Syrians are not allowed to enter.
Sami al-Qadi, who owns a freight truck and works between Latakia and Damascus, told North Press that what upsets him most is the way Russian forces drive on roads. They show patronizing behavior and do not respect traffic laws.
Russia’s policy in Syria is little more than an “occupation,” he says, “especially since they offer nothing in return amid all this suffering, precisely like an occupying force.”
A Damascene vegetable seller is old enough to remember the French occupation of the country. “Living conditions were better when France was occupying Syria,” he says. “The old occupiers were better than the new ones.”
Some improvement
In tandem with the visit of Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Syria saw a slight improvement in electricity provision to government-held areas.
It raised hopes that Iran might help ameliorate the dire living conditions. However, as the minister left the country, the old outages resumed. There are even more of them now, some residents say.