VIDEO: Insurgents provide free vaccinations for local children in Aleppo’s Ashrafiya neighborhood
Behind the daily headlines of military operations in Syria, another important battle between the Assad regime and the insurgency is being waged.
This battle is not being fought through tanks, mortars, and RPGs, however. Instead, it is a fight over the provision of basic services to civilians affected by the conflict.
For victory, each side needs to establish it can maintain roads, provide medical care, and supply water and electricity — and rebuild towns and villages damaged by the fighting.
The campaign is not just through bricks and mortar, but through propaganda. In recent weeks, the regime has used State media to emphasize its role in reconstruction and provision of humanitarian care for civilians affected by the conflict. Beyond the obvious message — that the Government is in control and is the legitimate provider of services to the Syrian people — these reports are supposed to demonstrate that, even amid years of “armed terrorism”, Damascus can function properly for its citizens.
Last week, the regime announced that it would provide grants to citizens in the key town of Al Qusayr — the site of a three-week battle between the regime, supported by Hezbollah, and insurgents — as well as carry out a major reconstruction effort in the community.
Last night, the Governor of Homs trumpeted that Tal Kalakh — near the Lebanese border and reclaimed by Syrian troops only this week — would soon have an industrial area to provide job opportunities. He added that the local hospital would be rehabilitated to offer health service “after it was sabotaged by terrorists”.
The regime’s initiative is also promoted through declarations of co-operation with international organizations. On Thursday, Social Affairs Minister Kinda Al Shammat said that the Government is working with humanitarian groups to provide vital services to civilians. State news agency SANA reported that the regime is working with the World Food Program to provide “an integrated program that prevents any cases of malnutrition, particularly among children and mothers”.
Two days earlier, State news agency SANA noted that the Ministry of Water Resources had held a workshop with UNICEF to explain “the mechanisms of supporting the water sector and promoting hygiene in Syria” and to “alleviate Syrians’ suffering”. The report emphasized the “cooperation between ministries and UN organizations”.
Meanwhile, the insurgents are waging their campaign for the populace of Aleppo. Footage this week shows opposition groups providing a raft of services, including road maintenance, free medical care for children, educational activities and food distribution in “liberated” communities.
In the Bustan Al Qasr section of Aleppo, an insurgent-led group provides educational activities for civilians — local women look at an exhibition of children’s pictures, including of topics relating to the insurgency:
And in the Ashrafiya district, an insurgent commander from the Revolutionary Council of the Badr Martyrs Brigade explains that his service department is carrying out road-widening , assisting traffic between Aleppo and the countryside:
