SATURDAY FEATURES
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The US State Department has strongly condemned the Assad regime’s continued siege of opposition-controlled areas in the Damascus suburbs, especially the town of Moudamiyyat Ash Sham — the site of one of the August 21 chemical weapons attacks — where residents are suffering malnutrition and starvation.
Washington called on the regime to allow “immediate and unfettered humanitarian access” to the areas.
See Syria Spotlight: Moadamiyyat Ash Sham Civilians Concerned For Welfare Of Evacuees
Syria Spotlight: Opposition Claims Assad Using Civilians As Human Shields
Syria Military Round-Up, Oct 17: The Siege of Moadamiyyat Ash Sham
The Syrian military has been waging a protracted offensive on the suburbs, with near-daily bombardments and attempts at ground invasions. Food and all aid supplies have been blocked since November 2012 to Moadamiyyat Ash Sham including the Mezze Airbase. More recently, the regime blocked the town’s water supplies.
Last weekend, the regime allowed the evacuation of more than 1,000 civilians, but their whereabouts are unknown, according to local activists.
The State Department said the evacuation “is no substitute for allowing desperately needed food, water, and medicine to reach the thousands of trapped civilians who remain under siege”.
The Department also warned the regime not to repeat “the massacres of Houla, Banyas, and Baida”, declaring “those who are responsible for atrocities in the Damascus suburbs and across Syria must be identified and held accountable”.
Video – Children in Moadamiyyat Ash Sham Collect Animal Manure To Use For Heating (October 18)
(Featured Photo: Evacuation of residents from Moadamiyyat Ash Sham)
