22. November 2024                       

Diese Anfragebeantwortung wurde für die Veröffentlichung auf ecoi.net abgeändert.

Kurzbeschreibungen zu den in dieser Anfragebeantwortung verwendeten Quellen sowie Ausschnitte mit Informationen aus diesen Quellen finden Sie im Anhang.

Wiedergewinn von Duma durch die syrische Regierung (Zeitpunkt, Bezirke/Nachbarschaften)

Das Carter Center, eine vom ehemaligen US-Präsidenten Jimmy Carter gegründete Menschenrechtsinitiative zur Konfliktlösung und Förderung von Frieden, veröffentlicht auf seiner Webseite eine interaktive Karte, die die Kontrollsituation in mehr als 8.000 Ortschaften in Syrien zwischen 2014 und November 2024 darstellt. Die die Karte begleitende Tabelle zeigt, dass zwischen Jänner 2014 und April 2018 die Opposition die Kontrolle über Duma innegehabt habe. Ab Mai 2018 habe dann die syrische Regierung die alleinige Kontrolle übernommen (The Carter Center, Stand: 1. November 2024).

Die folgenden Quellen enthalten Informationen zur Kontrollsituation in Duma zwischen 2011 und 2021.

Laut dem Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP) habe nach 2011 die von Saudi-Arabien unterstütze Gruppierung Dschaisch al-Islam (auch Jaysh al-Islam) nach und nach die militärische Kontrolle über die Stadt übernommen, während ein lokaler Rat, der verschiedene Fraktionen vertreten habe, die Funktionen der Stadtverwaltung und der Zentralregierung übernommen habe (MERIP, Winter 2022).

Syria Direct berichtet im Jänner und März 2015 von Luftangriffen der Regierung auf die Stadt Duma (Syria Direct, 28. Jänner 2015; Syria Direct, 16. März 2015). Duma sei seit Ende 2014 vollständig von der Regierung umzingelt gewesen (Syria Direct, 16. März 2015).

Im September 2016 berichtet Syria Direct von der Eroberung einer strategischen Rebellenbasis in Ost-Ghuta durch die syrische Armee und ihre Verbündeten. Dies sei Teil eines zähen Vorstoßens in Richtung der Stadt Duma gewesen. Duma sei seit Mai 2016 fast täglich Artilleriebeschuss aus dem Norden ausgesetzt gewesen (Syria Direct, 28. September 2016).

Laut Syria Direct habe die Regierung im Mai 2016 eine Kampagne gestartet, als Teil derer sie langsam die Vororte Ost-Ghutas eingenommen habe, mit dem Ziel die Stadt Duma zu erreichen. Im November 2016 hätten Regierungstruppen die Bergdörfer Tal Kurdi und Tal Sawan zurückerobert. Von dort hätten die Truppen, laut Syria Direct, direkt auf Duma schießen können (Syria Direct, 1. November 2016).

The Guardian schreibt im März 2018, dass die syrischen Regierungstruppen die Stadt Duma umzingelt hätten (The Guardian, 10. März 2018).

Die Syrische Beobachtungsstelle für Menschenrechte (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, SOHR) erklärt Ende März 2018, dass die Regierungstruppen die Kontrolle über gesamt Ost-Ghuta mit Ausnahme von Duma übernommen hätten (SOHR, 31. März 2018).

Syria Direct schreibt Anfang April 2018, dass Kämpfer der letzten von der Opposition kontrollierten Stadt in Ost-Ghuta (Duma) eine Vereinbarung getroffen hätten, die Stadt mit ihren Familien zu evakuieren. Bei den Kämpfern handle es sich um Mitglieder von Dschaisch al-Islam (Syria Direct, 8. April 2018; siehe auch: SOHR, 28. Mai 2018).

Laut SOHR hätten im April 2018 dutzende Busse mit evakuierten Personen aus Duma den Nordwesten Syriens erreicht (SOHR, 10. April 2018).

Crisis24 und France24 berichten am 12. April, dass die syrischen Regierungstruppen die vollständige Kontrolle über die Stadt Duma übernommen hätten (Crisis24, 12. April 2018; France24, 12. April 2018; siehe auch: MERIP, Winter 2022; Syria Direct, 21. Mai 2018).

Syria Direct berichtet im Mai 2018 von einer Reihe von Festnahmen von für die Wehrpflicht gesuchten jungen Männern durch Regierungstruppen an Checkpoints in der gesamten Stadt Duma (Syria Direct, 10. Mai 2018). Laut SOHR habe die Regierung im Mai 2018 ein Registrierungszentrum in Duma eingerichtet (SOHR, 28. Mai 2018).

SOHR schreibt im November 2019, dass die Abteilung für Staatssicherheit der syrischen Regierung, die für die Sicherheit in Duma verantwortlich sei, in der Stadt weitere 20 Kontrollpunkte eingerichtet habe (SOHR, 12. November 2019).

Laut SOHR hätten Regierungskräfte und russische Streitkräfte mit November 2021 seit mehr als dreieinhalb Jahren die Kontrolle über die Stadt Duma übernommen gehabt (SOHR, 2. November 2021).

Bedeutung der Stadt Duma für den Aufstand ab 2011

Laut MERIP sei Duma im Jahr 2011 zu einem Zentrum der Opposition gegen die syrische Regierung von Baschar Al-Assad geworden (MERIP, Winter 2022).

Das Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) berichtet im März 2011, dass die Bewohner·innen der Stadt Duma den Aufrufen zu Demonstrationen gefolgt seien. Die Zahl der Demonstrant·innen sei überraschend hoch gewesen. Tausende seien nach dem Freitagsgebet am 25. März durch Duma marschiert (IWPR, 29. März 2011).

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) berichtet Anfang April 2011 ebenfalls von Protesten in Duma (RFE/RL, 1. April 2011).

Laut NBC News seien Sicherheitskräfte Mitte April 2011 mit Tränengas und Schlagstöcken gegen Demonstrat·innen in Duma vorgegangen. Zehntausende Menschen hätten Reformen gefordert. Die Demonstrant·innen hätten gelbe Karten hochgehalten, eine ihrer Aussage nach vom Fußball inspirierte Warnung an die Regierung. Laut NBC News sei der Protest in Douma einer der zwei größten gewesen (NBC News, 15. April 2011).

Laut dem US-amerikanischen National Public Radio (NPR) seien eine Woche später etwa 40.000 Personen in Duma gegen die Regierung auf die Straße gegangen (NPR, 22. April 2011).

France24 berichtet im Februar 2012 von Youtube-Aufnahmen aus Duma, die mehrere tausend Demonstrant·innen bei der Beerdigung zweier Menschen, die angeblich von den Sicherheitskräften getötet worden seien, gezeigt hätten. Die Trauernden hätten syrische Flaggen aus der Zeit vor der Baath-Ära geschwenkt (France24, 18. Februar 2012).

Laut Syria Direct hätten mehrere hundert Zivilist·innen in Duma im März 2015 (am vierten Jahrestag des Aufstandes im Land) friedlich gegen die syrische Regierung protestiert. Laut einem zivilen Aktivisten in Duma sei der Protest weder von Mitgliedern einer in der Region operierenden bewaffneten Gruppe organisiert noch besucht worden. Die Demonstrant·innen hätten sich auf demselben Platz wie vier Jahre zuvor versammelt, um zu zeigen, dass es sie immer noch gebe (Syria Direct, 19. März 2015).

Quellen: (Zugriff auf alle Quellen am 22. November 2024)

·      Carter Center (The): Syria Map | Exploring Historical Control in Syria, Stand: 1. November 2024
https://www.cartercenter.org/news/multimedia/map/exploring-historical-control-in-syria.html

·      Crisis24: Syria: Douma captured by government forces April 12 /update 1, 12. April 2018
https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2018/04/syria-douma-captured-by-government-forces-april-12-update-1

·      France24: Syrian forces open fire on Damascus protests, 18. Februar 2012
https://www.france24.com/en/20120218-syria-government-forces-open-fire-crackdown-damascus-mass-protests-against-assad

·      France24: Syrian government gains full control of Eastern Ghouta, 12. April 2018
https://www.france24.com/en/20180412-syria-russian-military-police-deployed-douma-eastern-ghouta

·      Guardian (The): Syrian forces attacking eastern Ghouta ‘have surrounded rebels in Douma’, 10. März 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/10/eastern-ghouta-syrian-forces-attacking-surrounded-rebels-douma

·      IWPR – Institute for War and Peace Reporting: Douma Breaks Its Silence, 29. März 2011
https://iwpr.net/global-voices/douma-breaks-its-silence

·      MERIP – Middle East Research and Information Project: Rebuilding Douma—Syria’s Reconstruction from Below, Winter 2022
https://merip.org/2023/01/rebuilding-douma/#:~:text=Before%20the%20war%2C%20Douma%20was%20a%20city%20on%20the%20rise.&text=A%20district%20seat%20in%20the,famous%20for%20its%20grape%20production

·      NBC News: 'Freedom!' Marchers demand more Syria reforms, 15. April 2011
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna42606664

·      NPR – National Public Radio: Syria 'Great Friday' Protest Turns Bloody, 22. April 2011
https://www.npr.org/2011/04/22/135628118/syrian-forces-protesters-face-off-on-great-friday

·      RFE/RL – Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty: Demonstrators Take To Streets In Yemen, Deaths Reported At Syrian Protests, 1. April 2011
https://www.rferl.org/a/rival_demonstrations_tense_yemen_friday/3543536.html

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: The regime forces restore control over the whole Eastern Ghouta except for Douma, 31. März 2018
https://www.syriahr.com/en/88324/

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Syrian rebels evacuated from Douma reach northwest: monitor, 10. April 2018
https://www.syriahr.com/en/88986/

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: After displacing thousands of fighters and civilians, the regime forces begins the process of “settling situation” of remained fighters and people in Douma city in the Eastern Ghouta, 28. Mai 2018
https://www.syriahr.com/en/93556/

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: The Syrian regime’s “State Security Branch” installs 20 new checkpoints in Douma and prevents who carried out “settlements” from leaving the city, 12. November 2019
https://www.syriahr.com/en/147076/

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Douma under regime domination | Russians are the de facto ruler, while Syrian regime seems satisfied with collecting levies, 2. November 2021
https://www.syriahr.com/en/228927/

·      Syria Direct: Fourth day of regime air raids on Douma, 28. Jänner 2015
https://syriadirect.org/fourth-day-of-regime-air-raids-on-douma/

·      Syria Direct: Regime pummels Douma, again, 16. März 2015
https://syriadirect.org/regime-pummels-douma-again/

·      Syria Direct: Douma residents mark 4th anniversary of uprising with peaceful protest, 19. März 2015
https://syriadirect.org/douma-residents-mark-4th-anniversary-of-uprising-with-peaceful-protest/

·      Syria Direct: March on Douma: Regime breaks 58-day stalemate in East Ghouta, 28. September 2016
https://syriadirect.org/march-on-douma-regime-breaks-58-day-stalemate-in-east-ghouta/

·      Syria Direct: March on Douma: Regime captures strategic high ground after 50-day ‘scorched-earth campaign’, 1. November 2016
https://syriadirect.org/march-on-douma-regime-captures-strategic-high-ground-after-50-day-scorched-earth-campaign/

·      Syria Direct: ‘Deal reached’ for rebels to leave Douma after bloody weekend, suspected chemical attack, 8. April 2018
https://syriadirect.org/deal-reached-for-rebels-to-leave-douma-after-bloody-weekend-suspected-chemical-attack/

·      Syria Direct: Government forces in Douma city arrest dozens of young men wanted for military service, residents say, 10. Mai 2018
https://syriadirect.org/government-forces-in-douma-city-arrest-dozens-of-young-men-wanted-for-military-service-residents-say/

·      Syria Direct: After government victory, one Douma resident visits home for the first time in six years, 21. Mai 2018
https://syriadirect.org/after-government-victory-one-douma-resident-visits-home-for-the-first-time-in-six-years/

 

 

Anhang: Quellenbeschreibungen und Informationen aus ausgewählten Quellen

Crisis24, ein Unternehmen von GardaWorld, bietet globale Intelligence-basierte Security Risk Management Services (SRM).

·      Crisis24: Syria: Douma captured by government forces April 12 /update 1, 12. April 2018
https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2018/04/syria-douma-captured-by-government-forces-april-12-update-1

„On Thursday, April 12, Russian media sources claimed that Syrian government forces had wrested full control of Douma, a city in the Eastern Ghouta suburban area of Damascus, from Jaysh Al-Islam rebel fighters.“ (Crisis24, 12. April 2018)

France24 ist ein internationaler Nachrichtensender im Maghreb und in den französischsprachigen Ländern Afrikas.

·      France24: Syrian forces open fire on Damascus protests, 18. Februar 2012
https://www.france24.com/en/20120218-syria-government-forces-open-fire-crackdown-damascus-mass-protests-against-assad

„Youtube footage from the Damascus suburb of Douma showed several thousand protesters at the funerals of two people said to have been killed there by security forces. The bodies were carried though a sea of mourners waving pre-Baath Syrian flags.“ (France24, 18. Februar 2012)

·      France24: Syrian government gains full control of Eastern Ghouta, 12. April 2018
https://www.france24.com/en/20180412-syria-russian-military-police-deployed-douma-eastern-ghouta

„Syrian government forces have raised their flag over the last rebel bastion in eastern Ghouta, taking full control of the town of Douma as insurgents withdraw, Russian news agencies reported Thursday, in a major victory for President Bashar al-Assad.“ (France24, 12. April 2018)

The Guardian ist eine britische Tageszeitung.

·      Guardian (The): Syrian forces attacking eastern Ghouta ‘have surrounded rebels in Douma’, 10. März 2018
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/10/eastern-ghouta-syrian-forces-attacking-surrounded-rebels-douma

„Syrian government forces have surrounded the largest town in the besieged enclave of eastern Ghouta, in a prelude to a possible ground assault that could further inflame a dire humanitarian crisis.“ (The Guardian, 10. März 2018)

Das Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) ist ein internationales NGO-Netzwerk, das durch Reportagen und Kapazitätsaufbau Journalismus stärkt, um Menschenrechte zu sichern, das öffentliche Bewusstsein und die Zivilgesellschaft zu stärken.

·      IWPR – Institute for War and Peace Reporting: Douma Breaks Its Silence, 29. März 2011
https://iwpr.net/global-voices/douma-breaks-its-silence

„After years of repression, deteriorating socio-economic conditions and the absence of freedom, the Syrian regime’s painful system of violence and arrest led the city of Douma to finally speak out. […]

Douma is the heart of the Damascus governorate - its cultural, historical and administrative capital. Its residents responded to calls for demonstrations that reached them through online social networks, as well as more traditional ways of communication, particularly important here because of the strong family ties that link many residents.

We were surprised that so many people turned up, and we were surprised by the initial reaction of the regime too. Thousands of us walked through Douma after Friday prayers on March 25. We were chanting slogans in support of Syria, Der’aa and freedom. Some supporters of the regime tried to block our way, but they soon ran off, abandoning their placards featuring pictures of their president.“ (IWPR, 29. März 2011)

Das Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP) ist eine gemeinnützige unabhängige Forschungsgruppe, die Berichte und Positionspapiere zu verschiedenen Nahostkonflikten veröffentlicht.

·      MERIP – Middle East Research and Information Project: Rebuilding Douma—Syria’s Reconstruction from Below, Winter 2022
https://merip.org/2023/01/rebuilding-douma/#:~:text=Before%20the%20war%2C%20Douma%20was%20a%20city%20on%20the%20rise.&text=A%20district%20seat%20in%20the,famous%20for%20its%20grape%20production.

„In 2011, Douma became an opposition center to the Assad Regime. The following year, it came under siege. As a growing number of residents fled the violence, the Saudi-supported Jaysh al-Islam consolidated military control of the city, while a local council representing the various factions maintained municipal and central government functions. In early 2018, the Syrian regime’s Operation Damascus Steel subjected Douma to near-constant indiscriminate bombardment, including the chemical weapons attack that forced the city’s surrender in April of that year. A Russian-brokered agreement to evacuate some 20,000 fighters, their families and supporters left around 40,000 civilians remaining in the rubble.“ (MERIP, Winter 2022)

NBC News ist ein US-amerikanische Nachrichtensender.

·      NBC News: 'Freedom!' Marchers demand more Syria reforms, 15. April 2011
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna42606664

„Security forces fired tear gas and beat protesters with batons Friday as tens of thousands of people marched toward the Syrian capital of Damascus demanding far greater reforms than the limited concessions offered by President Bashar Assad over the past four weeks, witnesses said.

The violence in the Damascus suburb of Douma was the only major unrest reported during protests in several Syrian cities on Friday, the main day for demonstrations across the Arab world. But the attempt to reach the capital was a bold action by a protest movement that has mostly stayed outside Damascus so far.

The protesters in Douma held up yellow cards, which they said was a soccer-inspired warning to the regime. […]

The largest protests were in Douma and in the southern city of Daraa, which has become the epicenter of the protest movement.“ (NBC News, 15. April 2011)

National Public Radio (NPR) ist ein Rundfunk-Syndikat in den USA.

·      NPR – National Public Radio: Syria 'Great Friday' Protest Turns Bloody, 22. April 2011
https://www.npr.org/2011/04/22/135628118/syrian-forces-protesters-face-off-on-great-friday

„’The people want the downfall of the regime!’ shouted protesters in Douma, a Damascus suburb where some 40,000 people took to the streets, eyewitnesses told the AP.“ (NPR, 22. April 2011)

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) ist eine Rundfunkanstalt, die 1949 von der amerikanischen antikommunistischen Organisation National Committee for a Free Europe gegründet wurde und vom US-Kongress finanziert wird. Sie liefert Nachrichten aus Ländern in Osteuropa, Zentralasien und dem Nahen Osten.

·      RFE/RL – Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty: Demonstrators Take To Streets In Yemen, Deaths Reported At Syrian Protests, 1. April 2011
https://www.rferl.org/a/rival_demonstrations_tense_yemen_friday/3543536.html

„Protests were reported also in Douma, a suburb of the capital, Damascus, as well as in the coastal cities of Latakia and Banias. Witnesses said at least three people were killed when security forces opened fire on protesters in Douma.“ (RFE/RL, 1. April 2011)

Die Syrische Beobachtungsstelle für Menschenrechte (Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, SOHR) ist eine in Coventry ansässige unabhängige Menschenrechtsorganisation, die sich auf Angaben von Aktivisten und Sanitätspersonal in Syrien stützt.

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: The regime forces restore control over the whole Eastern Ghouta except for Douma, 31. März 2018
https://www.syriahr.com/en/88324/

„The regime forces restore control over the whole Eastern Ghouta except for Douma.“ (SOHR, 31. März 2018)

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Syrian rebels evacuated from Douma reach northwest: monitor, 10. April 2018
https://www.syriahr.com/en/88986/

„Dozens of buses arrived in rebel-held northwestern Syria on Tuesday carrying Syrian insurgents who had agreed to surrender the town they controlled near Damascus after it was hit in a suspected chemical attack, a monitoring group said. […]

Sixty-seven buses carrying hundreds of fighters, along with family members and other civilians who did not wish to come back under Assad’s rule, reached opposition areas near Aleppo on Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.“ (SOHR, 10. April 2018)

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: After displacing thousands of fighters and civilians, the regime forces begins the process of “settling situation” of remained fighters and people in Douma city in the Eastern Ghouta, 28. Mai 2018
https://www.syriahr.com/en/93556/

„Douma city in the Eastern Ghouta, which was under the control of Jaysh al-Islam before carrying out the displacement of it and its leadership and members, along with thousands of civilians to the Syrian north, the city has been witnessing since the morning of Monday, the 28^th of May 2018, the registration of hundreds of civilians and former fighters for their names at the registration center opened by the regime forces in the city, in order to ‘settle the situation’ of the wanted remaining fighters and civilians.“ (SOHR, 28. Mai 2018)

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: The Syrian regime’s “State Security Branch” installs 20 new checkpoints in Douma and prevents who carried out “settlements” from leaving the city, 12. November 2019
https://www.syriahr.com/en/147076/

„Rif Dimashq Province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: the Syrian Observatory learned that the ‘State Security’ Branch known as ‘al-Khatib Branch 215’ of the regime forces, deployed about 20 security checkpoints in neighborhoods of Douma city in Rif Dimashq, and according to information of the ‘Syrian Observatory’ the new checkpoints were positioned at the pedestrian bridge in Kornish Douma Street, the entrance to the sheep market, the al-Kabir Mosque, al-Baghdadi Street, and some secondary roads, where all checkpoints stop the pedestrians, strict the movement of civilians, and conduct a ‘security check’ for women and men, in a related context, reliable sources told the Syrian Observatory that the ‘State Security’ which is in charge of security in Douma city prevented tens of young people who made ‘reconciliations and settlements’ from getting out of Douma city to areas in the Eastern Ghouta and the capital Damascus, arguing that the settlements they made when Jaysh al-Islam left the city were for the purpose of statistics, and that the ‘State Security’ is in the process of making a new settlement for Douma city, warning young people who have made ‘reconciliations and compromises’ not to go out of the city until it is carried out.“ (SOHR, 12. November 2019)

·      SOHR – Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: Douma under regime domination | Russians are the de facto ruler, while Syrian regime seems satisfied with collecting levies, 2. November 2021
https://www.syriahr.com/en/228927/

„More than three years and a half ago, Syrian regime and Russian forces have imposed control on Douma in Rif Dimashq, just before regime forces regained control of the entire eastern Ghouta.“ (SOHR, 2. November 2021)

Syria Direct ist, laut eigenen Angaben, eine 2013 gegründete nicht profitorientierte journalistische Organisation, die Nachrichten und Interviews aus Syrien publiziert.

·      Syria Direct: Fourth day of regime air raids on Douma, 28. Jänner 2015
https://syriadirect.org/fourth-day-of-regime-air-raids-on-douma/

„Regime warplanes struck various locations across Douma city Wednesday for the fourth consecutive day since Jaish al-Islam carried out missile strikes on Damascus this past Sunday, reported the Douma LCC [Local Coordination Committee].“ (Syria Direct, 28. Jänner 2015)

·      Syria Direct: Regime pummels Douma, again, 16. März 2015
https://syriadirect.org/regime-pummels-douma-again/

„The regime pounded the opposition-controlled city of Douma with at least six airstrikes on Monday on the heels of an escalated aerial attack that killed dozens of civilians the day before, reported Douma’s Local Coordination Committee. […]

Douma has been under complete regime encirclement since late 2014.“ (Syria Direct, 16. März 2015)

·      Syria Direct: Douma residents mark 4th anniversary of uprising with peaceful protest, 19. März 2015
https://syriadirect.org/douma-residents-mark-4th-anniversary-of-uprising-with-peaceful-protest/

„Several hundred civilians launched a peaceful protest on Wednesday against the Syrian regime in Douma, the political capital of Syria’s armed opposition in East Ghouta, in commemoration of the fourth anniversary of the country’s uprising. […]

‘The protest was not organized or attended by members of any armed groups operating in the area.’

‘Protestors gathered in the same square they had four years ago when the revolution first began,’ Elias al-Hajiri, a civil activist in Douma, told Syria Direct on Thursday. ‘They wanted to send a message that they’re still here despite the destruction they’ve witnessed.’“ (Syria Direct, 19. März 2015)

·      Syria Direct: March on Douma: Regime breaks 58-day stalemate in East Ghouta, 28. September 2016
https://syriadirect.org/march-on-douma-regime-breaks-58-day-stalemate-in-east-ghouta/

„The Syrian Arab Army and its allies captured a strategic rebel base in the East Ghouta suburbs of Damascus on Monday, the latest advance in a grinding campaign inching towards the city of Douma, the epicenter of opposition military resistance near the capital. […]

Since May, the Damascus suburb of Douma—home to half a million residents before the the war—has been subject to near daily artillery shelling from the north in addition to a deteriorating humanitarian situation with shortages of critical medical supplies.“ (Syria Direct, 28. September 2016)

·      Syria Direct: March on Douma: Regime captures strategic high ground after 50-day ‘scorched-earth campaign’, 1. November 2016
https://syriadirect.org/march-on-douma-regime-captures-strategic-high-ground-after-50-day-scorched-earth-campaign/

„Monday’s losses of the twin hilltop villages of Tal Kurdi and Tal Sawan follow more than 50 consecutive days of fighting. Now the Assad regime and its allied militias have a prime vantage point for firing down directly onto Douma, the battered de facto capital of the rebel-held suburbs east of Damascus. […]

Since May, the regime has slowly carved away at the East Ghouta suburbs of Damascus. The crux of the regime campaign for the roughly 100-square-kilometer rebel pocket has concentrated on the area’s de facto capital, Douma, which the regime encircled in June 2012. Once home to half a million residents before the war, Douma is a shell of its former self, one of the most barrel-bombed sites in Syria.

After capturing Tal Kurdi and Tal Sawan, multiple East Ghouta military and civilian sources tell Syria Direct that the regime’s next step in their march on Douma is likely the town of a-Rihan.“ (Syria Direct, 1. November 2016)

·      Syria Direct: ‘Deal reached’ for rebels to leave Douma after bloody weekend, suspected chemical attack, 8. April 2018
https://syriadirect.org/deal-reached-for-rebels-to-leave-douma-after-bloody-weekend-suspected-chemical-attack/

„Fighters in the last opposition-controlled city in East Ghouta reached a deal with Russian negotiators on Sunday to evacuate with their families, one rebel official told Syria Direct, after intense bombardment and a reported chemical attack killed at least 225 civilians over the weekend. […]

For weeks, Jaish al-Islam has maintained that it would not accept any agreement with Russia or the Syrian government that included the evacuation of fighters from Douma.“ (Syria Direct, 8. April 2018)

·      Syria Direct: Government forces in Douma city arrest dozens of young men wanted for military service, residents say, 10. Mai 2018
https://syriadirect.org/government-forces-in-douma-city-arrest-dozens-of-young-men-wanted-for-military-service-residents-say/

„Government forces in Douma city detained a number of young men wanted for mandatory military service this week, residents say, in what appears to be a violation of a surrender agreement that brought state authority back to the former rebel stronghold east of Damascus. […]

Nonetheless, a handful of Douma residents—all requesting to be identified by pseudonyms—told Syria Direct on Thursday that Syrian government forces at military checkpoints across the city began to detain young men wanted for military service on Tuesday.“ (Syria Direct, 10. Mai 2018)

·      Syria Direct: After government victory, one Douma resident visits home for the first time in six years, 21. Mai 2018
https://syriadirect.org/after-government-victory-one-douma-resident-visits-home-for-the-first-time-in-six-years/

„Al-Hamwi left Douma for the government-held suburbs of Damascus with his wife and children in 2012, leaving behind friends, family and his business. For the next six years, he did not return, watching as rebels consolidated control over his former hometown. Government forces besieged Douna in 2013 and finally recaptured it following a violent military campaign earlier this year.“ (Syria Direct, 21. Mai 2018)