The situation in eastern Ghouta, just outside Damascus, has dramatically changed since the beginning of the crisis over two years ago. What began as a few peaceful protests eventually grew to include a local armed presence, then brigades encompassing varied factions and fronts.
Eastern Ghouta has historically been a battleground for Damascus’ wars, most recently in the 1930s when Syrian nationalists chose it as a base to attack French troops. This region in rural Damascus is renowned as a sphere for patriotic armed struggles, a place where the French mandate received severe blows decades ago.