Protests in Damascus Quarantine Center over Mistreatment

Syrians buy goods on a recently-opened popular souk in Damascus, Syria, 16 May 2020, where people are buying basic needs, including clothes and food almost a week before Eid al-Fitr. EPA/YOUSSEF BADAWI
Syrians buy goods on a recently-opened popular souk in Damascus, Syria, 16 May 2020, where people are buying basic needs, including clothes and food almost a week before Eid al-Fitr. EPA/YOUSSEF BADAWI
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Protests in Damascus Quarantine Center over Mistreatment

Syrians buy goods on a recently-opened popular souk in Damascus, Syria, 16 May 2020, where people are buying basic needs, including clothes and food almost a week before Eid al-Fitr. EPA/YOUSSEF BADAWI
Syrians buy goods on a recently-opened popular souk in Damascus, Syria, 16 May 2020, where people are buying basic needs, including clothes and food almost a week before Eid al-Fitr. EPA/YOUSSEF BADAWI

Syria’s ministries of interior and health launched on Wednesday an inquiry into protests by some people staying in quarantine centers in the University City in Damascus.

People arriving in Damascus from abroad have been directly taken for a14-day quarantine at specified centers.

But they have refused to have the meals served and threw them from the University City center’s window, in protest at what they called mistreatment, lack of hygiene and the delay in testing them for the new coronavirus (COVID-19), informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

As soon as the videos and photos were circulated on social media, a team from both ministries launched the probe to refer them to the judiciary, local media sources reported.

Similar incidents have occurred earlier after videos and photos were leaked from a number of quarantine centers showing poor hygiene and services in a number of health centers assigned by the government in Damascus.

In early May, the government allowed Syrians stranded in countries like Russia, UAE, Sudan, Oman, Lebanon, Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq and others, to return and abide by the precautionary measures to fight the pandemic.

The “Quarantine Diaries in Damascus” social media page, which publishes news on the coronavirus in the city has cited sources as affirming that relevant authorities from the ministries of health and interior were instructed to launch a probe into the practices of some of those quarantined in the University City.

Many of the quarantined refused to adhere to the 14-day confinement and offended medical personnel.

Despite the acute shortage of medical equipment caused by western sanctions, the health ministry has conducted 1,500 tests, giving priority to the elderly and those with health conditions and having COVID-19 symptoms, it stated.

However, independent medical sources said people with ties to the regime have been prioritized for testing, causing chaos and protests.

According to the ministry, there are 58 coronavirus cases in Syria, including three deaths and 36 recoveries.



Syria’s Sharaa to Regime Remnants: You Have Committed an Unforgivable Act, Lay Down Arms Before it’s Too Late

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. (AFP file)
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. (AFP file)
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Syria’s Sharaa to Regime Remnants: You Have Committed an Unforgivable Act, Lay Down Arms Before it’s Too Late

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. (AFP file)
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. (AFP file)

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa declared on Friday that the security forces will continue to pursue the remnants of the ousted regime so that they are brought to justice.

In a pre-recorded speech, he said the regime remnants were seeking to undermine the security of the country.

“They sought to test the new Syria that they are ignorant about,” he added of the clashes along the coast that broke out on Thursday between the new authorities’ security forces and loyalists of Bashar al-Assad's ousted regime.

“The remnants of the regime committed a horrible act and killed those protecting Syria. This is an unforgivable act against all Syrians,” Sharaa continued, urging the loyalists to lay down their arms and turn themselves in “before it is too late.”

“The new Syria is united,” Sharaa stressed. “The possession of weapons should be limited to the state.”

Anyone committing a violation against civilians will be held to account, he vowed.

The violence spiraled on Thursday when the authorities said groups of Assad-aligned militias targeted security patrols and checkpoints in the Jableh area and surrounding countryside, before spreading.

Moussa al-Omar, a Syrian media figure close to the country's new leadership, told Reuters that tens of thousands of fighters in Syria's newly constituted security forces had been deployed to the coast in the operation and order had been largely restored as of Friday night.

Curfews were declared on Friday in the coastal cities of Tartous and Latakia, SANA said. Security forces mounted combing operations in both cities and nearby mountains.

Syrians took to the streets on Friday to rally in support of the government in Damascus and other cities.