Armed Groups Block UN Humanitarian Aid Convoy Bound to Locals in Damascus Countryside Towns
DAMASCUS COUNTRYSIDE, (ST)- Armed groups operating in eastern Ghouta in Damascus countryside have blocked humanitarian aid convoy bound to the locals in the towns of Yelda, Babbila and Beit Sahm in the southern countryside of Damascus.
The armed groups’ behavior aims at tightening their siege on civilians they are taking as human shields.
According to local and media sources, on October 26th, armed groups intercepted humanitarian aid shipments bound to the people in the towns of Yelda, Babbila and Beit Sahm near Damascus and didn’t allow the convoy to pass, demanding 5000 food parcels as a ransom.
The convoy included 35 trucks carrying 8000 food parcels, 7000 bags of flour and 4000 boxes of cleaning materials. It was transferred by the cars of the Syrian Red Crescent to the targeted towns.
This is not the first time UN aid convoys are blocked and captured by the armed groups in eastern Ghouta. On September 24th all the UN humanitarian aid convoys bound to several areas in Damascus countryside were captured by the armed groups.
The people in armed groups-held areas suffer deteriorated living and health conditions because militants prevent humanitarian and medical aid delivery to these areas and they keep hindering reconciliation efforts.
Hamda Mustafa