Ghouta residents suffer under siege during Ramadan
As the regime continues to impose its siege on eastern Ghouta, thousands of trapped residents are making do with the limited supply of food available and depending on NGOs to get them through the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
This year’s holy month of Ramadan is the worst in the history of eastern Ghouta in Rif Dimashq, with residents in this rebel-held area facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Food prices have increased significantly and some food items have become scarce because of the Syrian regime embargo as well as infighting between armed opposition groups in the area.
The regime’s forces and loyal militias have taken control of the eastern neighborhoods of Ghouta, taking advantage of the factional fighting.
On March 21, the situation took a turn for the worse when regime forces closed the Wafideen crossing, the only pathway through which basic food items reach Ghouta. The regime forces also took over the tunnels connecting Ghouta to Damascus’ eastern neighborhoods, causing a severe humanitarian crisis in light of the suffocating siege on the people of Ghouta.
Abu Mahmoud al-Shagouri, a resident of eastern Ghouta, told Al-Monitor, “The situation is getting worse with every passing day. It is our fourth Ramadan under a siege imposed by the regime forces.”
