DAMASCUS — Civilians in different parts of eastern Ghouta (9 kilometers, or 6 miles, east of Damascus), which is under the opposition’s control, have been chanting slogans such as “Yes, ​​hunger has exhausted us, but our dignity comes first," "The leaders have their stomachs filled, and the children are hungry. Be merciful to them," and "The people want the fall of Zahran.”

Civilians have taken to the streets in demonstrations that have escalated since early August in Hamouriya, Kafr Batna and Harasta. The most recent demonstration took place in Saqba city on Aug. 7, as thousands of civilians demonstrated and demanded unity and the elimination of differences between the opposition factions warring over Ghouta, particularly those between Jaish al-Islam and Ajnad al-Sham Islamic Union.

The people of Saqba also demanded the lifting of the blockade that has been imposed on Ghouta by the regime since June 2014, halting the monopoly of opposition factions over food commodities and tunnels — which represent the only outlet to Ghouta — the release of the detainees held in Jaish al-Islam’s prisons, and the fall of tyrant leaders, most notably Zahran Alloush, the commander of Jaish al-Islam in eastern Ghouta, because of the abusive practices and arbitrary arrests of civilians.

These demonstrations were not the first of their kind. Similar demonstrations dubbed “The Hunger Demonstrations” were held in November 2014, during which the demonstrators demanded that foodstuffs be distributed to them. Food commodities were being smuggled through the tunnels in Ghouta, and the opposition’s warehouses were filled; meanwhile, the citizens were eating grass and stale bread, while others were starving to death.