Published : 24-06-2015
*Ahmed Abdu-Damascus Suburb
Khan Al Shieh Camp or 'Al Awda' Camp is the name of a Palestinian Refugees' Camp, which is the nearest camp to Palestine in Syria.
The camp is located in the western suburb of Damascus near the main road linking Damascus with the border of Quneitra city.
Like most Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, Khan Al Sheikh camp was not spared from the consequences of war in Syria; bombing, siege, arrest campaigns, and frequent clashes. According to activists, the camp is one of the most affected areas in the western Ghouta of Damascus city after Darya.
Neutrality of the camp since the start of events in Syria did not help it, where it was subjected to repeated daily bombardment, which targeted adjacent areas and farms with all kinds of missiles, explosive barrels, heavy mortar, and artillery shells.
The town of Khan Al Shieh is considered one of the most towns that was bombed with explosive barrels, as the number of barrels delivered by helicopters of the Syrian regime has reached 860 explosive barrels; about "35" barrels targeted Khan Al Shieh camp.
In addition, warplanes have made more than eighty raids; 30 of them were made by the modern destructive 'SUKHOI-SU 24' warplanes.
According to the AGPS statistics, nearly "125" victims from Khan Al Shieh camp died mostly women and children, while activists reported that bombardment with explosive barrels, rockets, and missiles has damaged 40% of the camp.
Arrest and Banditryto Damascus
People of Khan Al Shieh camp has been the victim of repeated detention campaigns carried out by the Regular Army checkpoints, which did not discriminate young people or women.
According to the AGPS documented statistics, there are more than "128" detainees from the camp inside the prisons of the Syrian Regime; at least 17 of them were martyred due to torture.
Meanwhile, the suffering of residents, who are living under siege, is still continuous, where the Regular Army closes all roads linking the camp with the capital Damascus, forcing hundreds of students and employees to go through the death road for fear of dismissal from their universities, schools, and jobs.
'Death Road', that name has become known among residents as they gave on 'Zakia-Khan Al Shieh road, after the large number of victims who died there.
12 civilians died in this road after being targeted by regime forces stationed in the regiment (137) and by another checkpoint centered near the water tank in the town of Darkhabaea.
Residents, especially women and girls, have been vulnerable to frequent harassment by checkpoints' members, which inspects them dramatically.
Unspoken Siege and DireLiving Reality
One of the main effects of roads' closure israising food prices dramatically in the camp because of the difficult access of food supplies into the camp.
In addition to the frequent lack of bread, bakeries stopped workingafter the regime prevented the entry of flour and fuel to the camp since mid-2013, forcing the residents to secure their needs of bread from neighboring towns that can only provide them with a few amounts.
The reality of medical aspect:health services are virtually non-existent; there areonlythree doctors and one clinic workswith its minimum capacity and very limited potentials. The only clinic was reopened after a wave of protests that prevailed throughout the camp a few months ago.
Moreover, electricity and telecommunications do not exceed three hours work in best cases, and in case there was a bombing, it could be cut for several months, as happened previously where communications were cut off for three consecutive months.
All these tragic conditions were the main reasons for the migration of dozens of youth to Europe, and hundreds of residents to neighboring villages, but the question that is going on in the camp is:Why all of this negligence by media, official relief bodies, and human rights organizations for this tragic reality in the camp? Will the camp be neglected to face a similar fate to the Yarmouk refugee camp?
*Ahmed Abdu-Damascus Suburb
Khan Al Shieh Camp or 'Al Awda' Camp is the name of a Palestinian Refugees' Camp, which is the nearest camp to Palestine in Syria.
The camp is located in the western suburb of Damascus near the main road linking Damascus with the border of Quneitra city.
Like most Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, Khan Al Sheikh camp was not spared from the consequences of war in Syria; bombing, siege, arrest campaigns, and frequent clashes. According to activists, the camp is one of the most affected areas in the western Ghouta of Damascus city after Darya.
Neutrality of the camp since the start of events in Syria did not help it, where it was subjected to repeated daily bombardment, which targeted adjacent areas and farms with all kinds of missiles, explosive barrels, heavy mortar, and artillery shells.
The town of Khan Al Shieh is considered one of the most towns that was bombed with explosive barrels, as the number of barrels delivered by helicopters of the Syrian regime has reached 860 explosive barrels; about "35" barrels targeted Khan Al Shieh camp.
In addition, warplanes have made more than eighty raids; 30 of them were made by the modern destructive 'SUKHOI-SU 24' warplanes.
According to the AGPS statistics, nearly "125" victims from Khan Al Shieh camp died mostly women and children, while activists reported that bombardment with explosive barrels, rockets, and missiles has damaged 40% of the camp.
Arrest and Banditryto Damascus
People of Khan Al Shieh camp has been the victim of repeated detention campaigns carried out by the Regular Army checkpoints, which did not discriminate young people or women.
According to the AGPS documented statistics, there are more than "128" detainees from the camp inside the prisons of the Syrian Regime; at least 17 of them were martyred due to torture.
Meanwhile, the suffering of residents, who are living under siege, is still continuous, where the Regular Army closes all roads linking the camp with the capital Damascus, forcing hundreds of students and employees to go through the death road for fear of dismissal from their universities, schools, and jobs.
'Death Road', that name has become known among residents as they gave on 'Zakia-Khan Al Shieh road, after the large number of victims who died there.
12 civilians died in this road after being targeted by regime forces stationed in the regiment (137) and by another checkpoint centered near the water tank in the town of Darkhabaea.
Residents, especially women and girls, have been vulnerable to frequent harassment by checkpoints' members, which inspects them dramatically.
Unspoken Siege and DireLiving Reality
One of the main effects of roads' closure israising food prices dramatically in the camp because of the difficult access of food supplies into the camp.
In addition to the frequent lack of bread, bakeries stopped workingafter the regime prevented the entry of flour and fuel to the camp since mid-2013, forcing the residents to secure their needs of bread from neighboring towns that can only provide them with a few amounts.
The reality of medical aspect:health services are virtually non-existent; there areonlythree doctors and one clinic workswith its minimum capacity and very limited potentials. The only clinic was reopened after a wave of protests that prevailed throughout the camp a few months ago.
Moreover, electricity and telecommunications do not exceed three hours work in best cases, and in case there was a bombing, it could be cut for several months, as happened previously where communications were cut off for three consecutive months.
All these tragic conditions were the main reasons for the migration of dozens of youth to Europe, and hundreds of residents to neighboring villages, but the question that is going on in the camp is:Why all of this negligence by media, official relief bodies, and human rights organizations for this tragic reality in the camp? Will the camp be neglected to face a similar fate to the Yarmouk refugee camp?
