Reports | 25 05 2020
Deir Ezzor—or the "forgotten city,” as its residents like to described it nowadays—imposes itself as the largest cities of north-eastern Syria. Famous for the abundance of its resources, and its gastronomy—particularly its “gumbo," which now seems like a meal impossible to make. That is little wonder, given that half a kilo of tea leaves inside the besieged areas, can fetch upwards of 10 thousand Syrian pounds!
Deir Ez Zor did not let the opportunity to declare its position against the Syrian regime pass since the start of the revolution in 2011. The city has seen many battles, as well as having witnessed the passage of many factions of the Free Syrian Army [FSA], Al-Nusra Front [NF], and Ahrar al-Sham. But, since the month of July, 2014, it lives through a new chapter. Following the withdrawal of all those powers, and the entry of the Daesh organization, proclaiming its control over most parts of the province.
The Simplest of Living Requirements Look Like a Luxury!
Following Daesh’s control of the city of Deir Ez Zor and its surroundings, it imposed a blockade over the al-Jura, Qusoor, Hrabish and al-Bghailiya in the heart of the city, all which still are under the Syrian regime’s control.
"The food, water, and electricity situation is pitiable. Securing daily sustenance is difficult, and to secure daily requirements is perilous, given the bombardment of the besieged neighborhoods by Daesh," says Mohammed, a recent escapee from Deir Ez Zor.
According to the young man, there is no electricity in both besieged neighborhoods besieged for the last 9 months—except for regime security points. People live on candlelight, kerosene lamps, and battery-powered LEDs.
What about charging mobile phones? “This is done at mobile phone charging stores. A full mobile phone charging can cost an estimated 100 [Syrian] pounds,” Mohammed answers.
Suffering assumes many forms in the besieged neighborhoods. Water only reaches some areas for one day, then is cut off for days; while residents depend on water tankers to fill their domestic tanks—despite the fact that such water may well be contaminated! One filled water tank of 200 litres may cost as much as 500 [Syrian] pounds—if indeed it can be secured at all!
Face to Face With the Winter
Deir Ez Zor is famous for its harsh and dry winters. How do the residents in the besieged areas, face the cold this year—which seems to be harsh in all aspects?!
According to sources from the heart of the besieged areas—whose identity remains withheld for security concerns—the regime has worked last year on opening wells for oil extraction, in the area behind the city’s Assad hospital, near the besieged Jura and Qusoor neighborhoods; and this, under the direct supervision of the head of the State Security Branch, the Brigadier known as “Da’as.”
As a result, the people believed that some good would come out of it, and that fuel prices will go down. The complete opposite, in fact, was what actually happened; fuel prices rose and multiplied, despite being refined with primitive methods!
A litre of non-governmental gasoline can fetch as much as 4 thousand [Syrian] pounds, and a litre of diesel surpassing the 2000 pounds/litre barrier. Those with financial means, can purchase at such prices; those without, have no alternative but firewood—a kilo of which retails at 150 [Syrian] pounds, with fears of prices doubling in the coming days!
What makes matters worse, is that most of the displaced refugees to the besieged neighborhoods, live in unfinished houses that offer them scant protection from the cold. These are the people who came from the devastated areas in Deir Ez Zor since 2012, and they make up almost 60% of these neighborhoods’ population—estimated at a total of circa 200 thousand people.
The Deir Ez Zor Airport—a Non-Vital Artery!
The Daesh organization imposes a siege on the four neighborhoods from all sides. Yet the regime system still possesses a tool it employs for the delivery of materials.
Abu Ahmed, a resident of the besieged areas, confirms that the regime receives goods in the Deir Ez Zor military airport via Ilyushin and military aircraft, coming from Qamishli and Damascus. These are then transported aboard trucks, across the mountain road—controlled by regime forces—right down to the besieged neighborhoods.
The man explains how these goods are distributed to traders, and sold on the market at ten times their prices, adding: "At the end of September, when clashes between the regime and state regulation began in the vicinity of the Deir Ez Zor military airport, and due to the fierce fighting; the frequency of the food air cargo slowed down, and the amounts became very small."
The reason for that, is "that the airforce is now preoccupied with transporting large quantities ammunition and gear, for delivery to the the regime forces in the besieged areas. This led to a reduction of flights, due to the frequency of the clashes to this day."
Material Prices—Several Fold Higher Than in the Capital!
"Officers secure materials from Damascus or Qamishli at wholesale prices. When these arrive, they monopolize and distribute them only to dealers affiliated with them," asserts a Deir Ez Zor resident.
He adds: “Afterwards, these are sold within the neighborhoods at exorbitant prices that can reach up to ten-fold, compared to prices of the same materials in Damascus."
It seems that some elements of the [regime-affiliated] “People’s Committees" buy material from officers of the regime army at cheap prices, to sell them to the people at double the price.
As noted by Rozana and the Justice for Life in Deir Ez Zor [JFLDZ] Observatory, the disparity in prices is flagrant. A crate of eggs sold in the capital for 500 [Syrian] pounds, can fetch in Deir Ez Zor upwards of 7,500 pounds; a kilo of sugar in Damascus worth an estimated 150 pounds, costs in Deir Ez Zor, upwards of 5,000 pounds; the comparison applies to a host of other items.
Cooking is done by wood on a “Wawi” [local for “Hyena”]: A 16-litre empty tin jerrycan, cut from the middle, and pierced on the sides, inside of which firewood is placed and set alight.
The Most Serious of Evils!
The misfortunes of besieged neighborhoods in the heart of Deir Ez Zor, do not stop at living conditions, the lack of materials, or the high price tag; there also is a health hazard added thereto!
Mariam, still living inside the besieged areas, confirms an acute shortage of medical cadres and pharmaceutical materials. These were consumed during the months of the siege, with no new material introduced as a replacement.
There in the areas besieged by Daesh, the “Assad hospital” alone receives medical conditions. Its distance from the residential neighborhoods is 7 km, and it also suffers from a severe shortage of medical cadres. As such, it is barely capable of receiving only mild emergency cases.
There is, however, another hospital, capable of receiving medium medical cases—the “military hospital.” However, “the regime has recently issued a decision not to receive peoples’ medical conditions; limiting the hospital to exclusively receiving the wounded and injured members of the regime forces," Mariam asserts.
She adds: “Sometimes, the regime transports its elements who need surgeries to Damascus, through air transportation.”
The situation of hospitals notwithstanding; what is the situation of pharmacies? Mariam answers: "Medicine is sold in pharmacies per pill. Only 20% of the necessary medication is available, with a shortage of large enough stocks."
Cross-Siege Poll
The siege months appear to have been extremely difficult on Deir Ez Zor’s neighborhoods and their inhabitants; a huge prison, with internal exploitation. How do people see this issue? Which among the options available to them do they prefer? And who do they blame for their situation?
Rozana and JFLDZ managed to break the Daesh siege, penetrating the besieged neighborhoods, and conducting an opinion poll of a slice of the population living there—60 people, women and men.
45% of respondents, blame the Syrian regime as being responsible for their plight; whereas 55% say that the Daesh organization is to blame.
As for the desire to stay put in place; a larger percentage—estimated at 77%—of respondents seem to wish to exit their neighborhoods and turn away from their memories of the blockade. The remainder of the respondents stressed that they want to remain where they are.
To see the Infograph at high resolution, press (here)
* This investigation was completed in cooperation between Rozana and the Justice For Life in Deir Ez Zor [JFLDZ] Observatory.