Douma, Syria

History

City in the Syrian Civil War (2012–2018)

During the Syrian Civil War, Douma was a major flashpoint and witnessed numerous demonstrations against the Syrian government and armed clashes against the Syrian Army and security forces during the early stages of the conflict.

On 30 January 2012, the Syrian Army gained control of the city after the Battle of Douma, a major operation against the opposition armed groups in Rif Dimashq Governorate.

On 29 June 2012, the Syrian Army was accused of committing a massacre in Douma, where more than 50 people were killed.

As of 18 October 2012, the Free Syrian Army was in control of most of the suburb. Fighting and bombardments continued in the town.

Douma was the main city of the Siege of Eastern Ghouta which began in April 2013, isolating 400,000 people in a 100 square kilometre area. UN and Red Cross aid convoys were able to reach Douma with food and supplies once in 2018.

In the 2015 Douma market massacre, the city was attacked by Syrian Army ground-to-ground missiles, leaving at least 50 dead and several more missing.

In early 2018, the main rebel faction based in the city was Saudi Arabian-backed Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam), with an estimated 10-15,000 fighters in the region.

On 7 April 2018, a chemical attack was carried out in the city. Douma had been the target of bombing campaigns over four months in 2018, as Syrian Air Force forces intensified their aerial bombardment before launching a ground offensive. The last and deadliest, according to medics and rescue workers, occurred when a yellow industrial gas cylinder was reportedly dropped onto the balcony of a block of flats. The opposition's surrender came a day later. After that, Syrian Army recaptured the city.

In September 2018, the UN Commission of Enquiry on Syria reported: "Throughout 7 April, numerous aerial attacks were carried out in Douma, striking various residential areas. A vast body of evidence collected by the Commission suggests that, at approximately 7.30 p.m., a gas cylinder containing a chlorine payload delivered by helicopter struck a multi-storey residential apartment building located approximately 100 metres southwest of Shohada square. The Commission received information on the death of at least 49 individuals and the wounding of up to 650 others... the Commission cannot make yet any conclusions concerning the exact causes of death, in particular on whether another agent was used in addition to chlorine that may have caused or contributed to deaths and injuries" Local rebels and civilians were sent into northern Syria in forced exile. Similar forced displacement deals have taken place all over Syria.

Rehabilitation of the city and its liberation (2018–present)

During the 2021 Syrian presidential election, the current Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and First Lady Asma al-Assad cast their votes in the city of Douma.

Between 2018 and 2023, around 108,000 people also returned to the city and its surroundings. Also in 2022, Syrian Telecom Center was reopened after its restoration, with cost of SYP 2.5 billion. By 2024, a number of reconstruction works was launched. Street lightning, a temporary provincial health center, 23 out of 33 schools of all types, and an automated bakery have been restored. Also, the tunnels left by militant organizations under many government institutions and buildings were filled, and constructions rehabilitated. In addition, by the end of 2024, a new provincial hospital in the city will be opened.

On 7 December 2024, the city was liberated by rebel forces.

Geography

Douma is the largest city located in the settlement slush in the Ghouta oasis that surrounds Damascus from the south and east. Around the city of Douma is the strategic M5 Highway connecting Damascus with the north of the country and across the Syrian Desert and also with Iraqi capital Baghdad.

Climate

Douma has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk).

|access-date = September 23, 2018

References

References

1. Safira Ismail. (11 March 2024). "القطاعات الخدمية والتعليمية والصحية في دوما تنهض بتعاون المجتمع المحلي". [[Syrian Arab News Agency]].
2. "population of Douma, syria 2004 census". CBSSYR.
3. (3 April 2011). "Syria's Douma 'wants its dead'".
4. (29 December 2011). "Arab League monitors stoke anti-government protests in Syria".
5. (29 January 2012). "Syria troops battle to retake Damascus suburbs". Reuters.
6. Erika Solomon. (29 June 2012). "Syrian civil war: Douma siege kills nearly 200, including young children and entire families". National Post.
7. Di Giovanni, JANINE. (18 October 2012). "Denial Is Slipping Away as War Arrives in Damascus". The New York Times.
8. (9 March 2018). "UN convoy delivers aid to Eastern Ghouta amid 'calm'". BBC News.
9. (22 August 2015). "Over 50 people killed in Syrian missile strikes at rebel areas near Damascus". Reuters.
10. (31 August 2017). "MAPPING MILITANT ORGANIZATIONS: Jaish al-Islam".
11. "[https://www.sbs.com.au/news/who-are-the-rebel-groups-fighting-in-syria-s-eastern-ghouta Who are the rebel groups fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government forces in Eastern Ghouta?]" SBS News. 2 March 2018.
12. "[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/04/syria-state-media-jaish-al-islam-agrees-leave-ghouta-douma-180401115350429.html Reports of Douma evacuation deal 'not true': council member]". Al-Jazeera. 1 April 2018.
13. "[http://www.dw.com/en/which-rebel-groups-are-fighting-in-syrias-eastern-ghouta/a-42663501 Which rebel groups are fighting in Syria's eastern Ghouta?]". Deutsche Welle. 20 February 2018.
14. BBC October 2018 [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-45586903 bbc how chemical attacks helped assad]
15. (22 April 2018). "Any evidence in suspected Syria gas attack likely remains, experts say".
16. (April 9, 2018). "America vows to respond to a suspected chemical attack in Syria". The Economist.
17. (July 10, 2018). "Syria war: What we know about Douma 'chemical attack'".
18. [https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/CoISyria/A_HRC_39_65_EN.docx] Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic, Section 92
19. (6 July 2018). "Interim report of the OPCW fact-finding mission in Syria regarding the incident of alleged use of toxic chemicals as a weapon in Douma, Syrian Arab Republic, on 7 April 2018".
20. Shaheen, Kareem. (April 9, 2018). "Douma inhabitants prepare to leave after deadly chemical attack". The Guardian.
21. (26 May 2021). "Presidential Candidate Dr. Bashar al-Assad, his wife cast votes in elections in Douma City". [[Syrian Arab News Agency]].
22. (20 June 2022). "Arnous inaugurates Douma Emergency Hospital at a cost of more than SYP 2 billion". [[Syrian Arab News Agency]].
23. (3 January 2022). "Prime Minister opens Douma Telecom Center: important step to offer services to citizens". [[Syrian Arab News Agency]].
24. Syrian Television. (7 December 2024). "لحظة دخول فصائل المعارضة إلى مدينة دوما في ريف دمشق #تلفزيون_سوريا #نيو_ميديا_سوريا #فجر_الحرية #ردع_العدوان #سوريا #حلب #حماة #دمشق".