Massive Bombardment in Eastern Ghouta: Civilians Cry Out
On the early hours of Wednesday, February 21 2023, the besieged enclave of Eastern Ghouta—home to roughly 400,000 people—was swept up once again in a hail of rockets, barrel bombs, and even anti‑personnel mines from the skies. The assault, one of the fiercest in the seven‑year conflict, left at least five civilians dead and over 200 wounded within just a few hours.
What the Numbers Say
- At least 250 people died in a 48‑hour burst of airstrikes.
- Barrel bombs and rockets targeted villages and towns just outside the capital.
- Around 400,000 residents live under a relentless siege that began in 2013.
A Voice Amid the Chaos
Bilateral authorities insist they never aim at civilians, but on the ground, Bilal Abu Salah, 22, is the living embodiment of that statement. He told reporters, “We are waiting our turn to die. This is the only thing I can say.” His wife, five months pregnant, fears the relentless artillery will expose her to an early delivery, turning the war’s chaos into a desperate childbirth scene.
Life in Shelters
- Families squish into cramped units—five or six people in one home.
- The survival kit is minimal: no food stocks, no nearby markets, and constant fear of the next raid.
- Hospitals, with a handful of patients, struggle under the onslaught.
UN Criticism & Government Defense
The United Nations decried the assault as potentially criminal, citing the deliberate targeting of hospitals and civilian structures. The Syrian state and its ally Russia argue the attacks target only rebel positions and deny the use of destructive barrel bombs. Despite this, the UN remains unconvinced and labeled the airstrikes as a possible war crime.
Rebels React
Meanwhile, rebel groups return fire with mortars on nearby Damascus districts, injuring two civilians on Wednesday and six the day before. The Russian Defence Ministry attached an additional warning that “illegal armed groups” from Eastern Ghouta had bombarded residential areas and facilities, including a Russian center for reconciliation.
De‑Escalation Complexity
Eastern Ghouta sits in a diplomatic “de‑escalation zone” agreed upon by Russia, Iran, and Turkey. Yet a former al‑Qaida affiliate remains in the region, meddling in negotiations while soldiers continue to wage war, greatly complicating efforts to ease tensions.
