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.
![RELIGION-RAMADAN/SYRIA A boy carries raw pastries prior to baking, to be sold during Ramadan in the rebel held besieged eastern Damascus suburb of Ghouta, Syria May 28, 2017. REUTERS/Bassam Khabieh - RTX380FD](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2017/06/RTX380FD.jpg/RTX380FD.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=CMJ4BEOG)
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.