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A CITY BESIEGED AGAIN

by Armenak Tokmajyan on August 17, 2016

“A salad in Aleppo can cost you your life,” an Aleppian author wrote at a time when rebels had imposed a siege on the western half of the city. In July 2013, rebels had cut the Khanasser supply line. Nothing could pass. The only way in was through Bustan al-Qaser – the Death Passage – where snipers lurked. There was a 10-fold difference between prices in the east and the west. People risked their lives to put bread on their tables in a country that had once exported wheat to the region. Rebels prevented anyone from taking food to the regime side. “Let Bashar feed you,” a rebel fighter jeered at those dodging sniper fire to get food.

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Armenak TokmajyanA CITY BESIEGED AGAIN
Airstrikes destroyed place where 10,000 food baskets were stored

THE ALEPPO WEEKLY – JULY 13 – 28

by The Aleppo Project on July 28, 2016

ALEPPO UNDER SIEGE

Following months long battles over al-Mallah Farms in northwestern Aleppo, regime forces have descended onto the Castello Road and cut off the only supply route for eastern Aleppo. Now an estimated 300,000 Aleppians join another 1 million Syrians living under complete siege. Meanwhile the bombing that never stopped for a few years intensified.

“Al-Assad forces and Russian airplanes are trying to control this road to besiege Aleppo … Those civilians are in danger of a lack of food, medicine and everything. And all the world is silent towards these things. These crimes.” Make-shift Aleppo University lecturer AbdulKafi Alhamdo spoke to ITV about the siege.

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The Aleppo ProjectTHE ALEPPO WEEKLY – JULY 13 – 28
Castello Road. Late June 2016. Photo: Dr. Zaher Sahloul/LA Times

Aleppo Under Siege

by The Aleppo Project on July 19, 2016

We now know the pattern of besiegement in Syria and so we know what is to come in Aleppo. Government forces surround an area of a city and cut off all food and supplies. The population weakens and thins, the elderly dying first and then next the children, often from water-borne diseases. The United Nations stands by, failing again in its humanitarian obligations through its obsequiousness to a government whose crimes long ago stripped it of any legitimacy. The West and Russia can drop bombs but not food. Support cannot go to those who might be able to break the siege because of their ideology; instead it just sloshes into a corrupt morass outside the country. Statements are issued and ignored. 2139. 2165. 2191. 2254. 2258. These are the numbers of the United Nations Security Council resolutions that are brushed off by Assad.

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The Aleppo ProjectAleppo Under Siege

Dar Janbolad – Aleppo’s Finest Palace

by Tiffany Ftaimi on July 6, 2016

When I lived in Syria, I hadn’t even heard about the Janbolad (Junblatt) Palace until 2011, my third year as an archaeology student. I was very surprised that a palace like this existed in my city. I did not expect its beauty, because just a few people even knew the palace’s name and location.

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Tiffany FtaimiDar Janbolad – Aleppo’s Finest Palace

Aleppo Conflict Timeline – May 2016

by The Aleppo Project on June 13, 2016

“The dilemma is that in theory Russia and the United States agree that al-Qaeda-linked groups should be excluded from any peace talks. Since 2013, for example, the United States has not been very keen to support Ahrar ash-Sham due to its radical ideology. In practice, however, Ahrar ash-Sham is the largest armed group in Syria and its exclusion would end the peace process. Separating Ahrar ash-Sham or other groups from JN would weaken the opposition because JN is a key fighting forces. It might also create infighting between JN and other groups which would ultimately serve the government’s interests. Russia is aware of these complications and has used this pretext to weaken opposition groups in favor of the government. An agreement between the United States and Russia about how to resolve this dilemma is fundamental to the survival of the ceasefire and continuation of the Geneva process. As of May 2016, this had not yet happened.”

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The Aleppo ProjectAleppo Conflict Timeline – May 2016

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