Residents of Eastern Ghouta still blockaded, under harsh scrutiny

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Residents of the eastern enclave of Damascus are still blockaded and under harsh scrutiny since visiting the capital needs a security permit that takes 6 weeks on the waiting-list.

Local activists and media unit has revealed the suffering of Eastern Ghouta since the regime seized the suburbs after deadliest offensive in April 2018.

Each person needs a security permit to enter the capital or even to cross through the destroyed towns that once were the most populous areas and the supply for vegetables and fruits.

The Syrian regime said last April that no need for security permit but the 'Capital voice' news site said the on ground people under the mercy of the State Intelligence and powerful army officers where they have to pay royalties and bribes to cross out the Eastern Ghouta to Damascus.

The residents of Ghouta should obtain an exit permit issued by the police station of his area.

Also, the permit should be signed by the director of the district and the mayor to allow them move freely between the towns to avoid security reprisals.

The internal transport process between the towns is facing great difficulties because of the lack of effective measures to improve the movement of traffic between them. For that, the residents are depending motorcycles and minibuses.

Also in Eastern Ghouta, at least 50 detainees, mostly former rebel fighters, were transferred to the notorious Sednaya military prison in the past few weeks.

The detainees were held by the Air Force Intelligence in Harasta district and by Al-Khatib Branch (251).

Most of the detainees are from the suburbs of Douma, Hamouriyah, Saqba, Kafarbatna and Jisreen.

'The Capital Voice' website said many civilians among the detainees were held over charges of funding 'terrorism' and having links with foreign parties.

The fall of Eastern Ghouta in April 2018 was not as significant as the regime’s recapture of eastern Aleppo in 2016, which changed the course of the war.

But it does cement the growing control of the Syrian regime - heavily backed by Russia and Iran - over large parts of the country.

Since the Syrian revolution erupted in 2011, more than 560,000 people have been killed, and more than 6.5 million people have been displaced.

Zaman Al Wasl