Homs: Al Waer neighborhood under siege since months, pleas to survive

The rebellious neighborhood of Al Waer in embattled Homs has been suffering a sever siege for over 100 days by Assad Army, no food or medicine, local activists said.

Starvation policy is the only option to punish people of rebel-held areas, Ahmed Mousa, 32, lives in Al Waer, told Zaman Alwasl reporter.

One Syrian security official called it according to Reuters the "Starvation Until Submission Campaign", blocking food and medicine from entering and people from leaving besieged areas of Syria.

Forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad have used partial sieges to root out rebel forces from residential areas during the civil war. But a recent tightening of blockades around areas near the capital is causing starvation and death, residents and medical staff say.

Food and medicine, which could be used by the warring parties, are rarely allowed to enter besieged areas and the movement of civilians in and out is restricted.

 Al Waer Checkpoints

Passing through the Assad regime checkpoints  is obligatory for residents of the rebel-held areas.

Activists reported many abuses against women by 'Al-Mazra'a' checkpoint, one of the most humiliating blockades in Homs, which considered as the main gate to inter Al-Waer neighborhood.

The Assad regime made special checkpoints for the women of al-Waer neighborhood; the inspecting procedures included their bags, mobiles and clothes.

'' Our sisters, who wear hijab, are obliged in the holly month to take off their clothes in closed rooms,'' activist told Zaman Alwasl

''It's big misery now, we are surrounded by imminent risks where the Assad's militia, National Defense Army is crowded at the frontiers of al-Waer neighborhood,'' the source said.

Moreover, the besieged neighborhood of the city is suffering from lack of food and medicine.

Over one million Syrians are trapped in areas where aid deliveries have stalled, the United Nations says.