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Survivors of Douma’s Chemical Attack Face New Challenges After War
In the heart of Damascus, the vibrancy of life in the ancient city contrasts sharply with the destruction just a few kilometers away. In the bustling old city, street vendors sell sweets and jewelry, and the magnificence of landmarks like the Umayyad Mosque remains intact. However, a short distance away, the suburb of Jobar tells a different story: it lies in ruins, devastated by years of conflict, with every building ravaged by artillery and aerial bombardments.
Jobar serves as a gateway to Eastern Ghouta, a region that once acted as a stronghold for rebel forces fighting against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. One town, in particular, stands as a symbol of the struggle and suffering experienced there: Douma. Having played a crucial role in Syria’s revolution, Douma became a prime target for government retaliation, leaving deep scars visible on its structures today.
April 7, 2018, marked a dark turning point for Douma when a Syrian Army helicopter dropped a barrel containing chlorine gas. The attack, which occurred just as many residents sought shelter, resulted in the choking deaths of numerous women and children. Local witness Abdurahman Hejazi recounted the horror, stating, “This entire stairway was filled with bodies,” describing the chilling sights of victims struggling to breathe.
The Fallout from the Chemical Attack
The gas attack claimed the lives of at least 40 individuals and caused injuries to hundreds more, signifying a brutal climax to a protracted siege of Douma and Eastern Ghouta. As the Syrian regime, aided by Russian and Iranian forces, successfully eradicated rebel presence, a subsequent evacuation deal allowed insurgents to escape to other territories, effectively re-establishing the regime’s control over the region.
The neighborhood that once witnessed such tragedy appears unremarkable now, overshadowed by surrounding dereliction, save for a lone poster memorializing four victims of the assault. For Hejazi and his acquaintance Omar Diab, the consequences of survival became a protracted ordeal.
After assisting in the treatment of victims at a makeshift hospital, Hejazi and Diab were later summoned to testify in The Hague, where they were pressured to claim that the attack had been fabricated by rebel forces and associated groups. “They took us first to Moscow, to make sure we understood what we were supposed to say there,” Diab revealed, sharing that even his young son was coerced into participation.
The Aftermath: Threats and Abandonment
Upon returning to Douma, residents perceived the men’s new government-issued apartments as a signal of betrayal, leading to rapidly escalating threats. Initially targeted with disdainful comments, the hostility soon intensified to a point where both men sensed genuine danger to their lives.
In 2023, desperate for safety, Hejazi attempted to flee to Lebanon but was apprehended by Syrian military forces and subjected to brutal treatment. Diab’s efforts to escape through legal channels led to his arrest and a prolonged detention, further entrenching his hopeless situation.
The chaotic political landscape shifted when the regime fell in December 2023, triggering distressing experiences for both men. Not only were their homes usurped by powerful local figures, but they were also left vulnerable and destitute in a community filled with animosity towards them.
Enduring Suspicion and Hostility
The community’s distrust extended to allegations that some survivors had accepted bribes from the regime in exchange for altering their testimonies. Locals voiced their suspicions, contributing to a climate of hostility towards Hejazi and Diab, who continue to insist they had no choice but to comply under duress.
This pervasive animosity has impacted their daily lives significantly. Hejazi expressed his disbelief at the lack of support from the international community: “These countries that claim to value human rights, why does no one help us?” The two men grapple with their complex legacies as unexplained injustices and the burden of their choices weigh heavily upon them.
Amid a twisted history of survival and loss, Hejazi and Diab represent a haunting testament to the human cost of war in Syria, caught in a cycle of vulnerability, distrust, and despair. Their appeals for assistance underscore the urgent need for greater awareness and intervention for those left behind in the wake of conflict.
Source
www.cbc.ca