Seven years ago today, anti-government demonstrations began in Damascus, the capital of Syria. Military and police weapons warehouses were broken into. A civil war began, and then the interests of the great powers clashed over Syria. Since then, more than 400.000 people have died. The country is devastated. Promises of peace and the end of war are just letters on paper. In the last 15 days alone, at least 1.000 people have been killed and 4.800 wounded in the Eastern Ghouta region near Damascus.
On every square kilometer of land with a history longer than 5.000 years – there were traces of some civilization. Syria was called the cradle of civilization, the pearl of the Middle East, the land of jasmine. Ugarit, the first alphabet, was also created there.
They never had much, but what they had they shared with other well-meaning people. They did not speak foreign languages, but even in the most remote village they knew how to say: "Welcome to Syria".
Until March 2011. Then everything changed... Explosions, bombs, guns, guns, planes, destruction, casualties. Many left with what little was left in their pockets or with a bag on their back. Somewhere... Far away from everything going on there.
For seven years, parts of Damascus, a souk in Aleppo, have been disappearing. There are no parts of Palmyra, one of the world's most important and famous archaeological sites. Raka, Dara, Der el Zor, Hama, Homs, Idlib, Malula... were destroyed.
"Since the shells started falling, no one was passing through the street. If you saw someone, they were going to the store or for something very important," says Nizar Ahmadi from Damascus.
Life in migrant centers
Syria had about 23 million inhabitants. More than half of them were displaced. About a million and a half of them are in Turkey, and a million each in Jordan and Lebanon. Some reached Europe via the Balkan migrant route, few reached America.
Most often they are in migrant centers, even in their own country.
"Some go outside looking for food or go to their homes. And when the fighting, airstrikes or bombings start, many don't come back," said Pavel Kržljek from the International Red Cross.
Those who are there and do not live in Damascus, which is the only one preserved, face fear and destruction. In some cities there is no electricity for 15 hours.
There is no food, water, medicine.
"I am weak and old. I only eat barley. Our house was destroyed in the bombing. We have no food at all," says Dalal Kurdi from Damascus.
Promises on paper
Meanwhile, promises are coming from the world. Meetings are held in Vienna, Geneva, Sochi, Astana. There is no use - agreements, conclusions and resolutions remain only on paper, while the people suffer.
With the entry of Russia in 2015, the situation improved a little. But the clashes between the US-led international coalition and state forces continue.
Assad's forces are fighting rebels and the Free Syrian Army, which has turned into terrorists. Officially, the Islamic State has been driven out of Syria.
"We want this country to get help, regardless of whether it is Eastern Ghouta, Aleppo, Hama, the suburbs of Latakia, Derra or Kineitra, the whole of Syria," says Loui Sakour.
For seven years, there is no smile on the faces of Syrians. He disappeared like their homes.
Some even returned. They expected a hearth, but they found a burning place. However, they believe that it will get better someday.
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