The ceasefire will be a “test period” and could be extended through further negotiation. The suburb has been held by rebels for several years and subject to constant bombardment by the Assad regime, including the use of barrel bombs. There has been pressure from the international community for a ceasefire between Assad and rebel groups, as refugees from the conflict flood into Europe causing political and logistical problems. The ceasefire will give both sides a chance to shift resources to other areas where there may be more chance of advancing. The Syrian government has been unable to dislodge rebels from the Eastern Ghouta and the rebels have been unable to move beyond the area.
Not long ago the Syrian forces fired missiles into Douma, a town in Eastern Ghouta, hitting a market and killing at least 89, with more than 100 injured. Eastern Ghouta is actually countryside, an area of farms outside of Damascus. It was the area subject to chemical attacks earlier in the civil war. A total of 12 missiles were reportedly fired. Some hit buildings trapping residents under the rubble. The locals said fighters were not allowed in the totally civilian area. The Douma area is largely surrounded by areas held by government forces.
The rebels too are accused of violating rules of war. Video footage from the Eastern Ghouta district shows rebels apparently showing several cages full of people being used as human shields. Those in the cages were identified as the families of government soldiers. They are reportedly taken from place to place to dissuade Syrian forces from attack. The Syrian Observatory for human rights claims the program is run by Jaish al-Islam, but included random Alawite citizens as well as families of soldiers. As the appended video shows, some in the cages are women.The cages are often placed in areas from which the rebels launch rockets in order to discourage responses from the Assad forces. Even a temporary ceasefire will no doubt be welcomed by civilians in the area. Although the civilians in Eastern Ghouta very much oppose Assad many also complain about actions of Jaish al-Islam, whom they accuse of hoarding scarce food supplies for their own use among other misdeeds.
