DAMASCUS, Syria — A new region has been added to the Syrian regime’s plan to ensure the safety of Damascus’ surroundings through slow advancement operations in the areas controlled by the opposition forces. This operation coincides with the regime’s blockade on these areas, which would ultimately lead to a settlement and forced displacement of the citizens, just like what happened in Daraya on Aug. 27.
The same scenario is recurring in Qudsaya, in the northwest of Rif Dimashq, which has seen military escalation since Sept. 21. The opposition militants agreed to the regime’s settlement that allowed them to head north with their families to Idlib on Oct. 13.
Qudsaya is located 5 kilometers (3 miles) northwest of Damascus and has a population of around 150,000 people. It is located in a mountainous area that overlooks surrounding regions such as Dummar where large numbers of regime forces are present. It is close to strategic areas for the Syrian regime, such as Masaken al-Haras and Jabal al-Woroud that are inhabited by Alawites who work with the regime, whether in the army ranks or in the security apparatus. Also, Qudsaya is 2 kilometers from the presidential palace.
The Syrian regime besieged the entire city in June 2015, and food and medical supplies have not been allowed in since then. According to university student Marwan who lives in Qudsaya, the main services have been cut off. He told Al-Monitor, “Warehouses and stores are almost empty, and the power conditions are horrible. People cannot leave or enter [the city] unless they have an employment permit or a university student card. The permits to enter and exit the city are restricted to official working hours [8 a.m. to 4 p.m.]."