Bombs and a lack of food, water and medicine: Life under siege in Syria

Amnesty International

Tens of thousands of men, women and children across Syria live in cities under siege.

© Rame Alsayed

Tens of thousands of men, women and children across Syria are struggling to survive in inhumane conditions in towns under siege, under constant threat of deadly attacks and lacking access to basic necessities such as food, water and medicines.

A new Amnesty International briefing Sieges across Syria details the horrendous living conditions of civilians in besieged areas of Yarmouk, Moadamiya, Daraya, Eastern Ghouta and in parts of Aleppo.

Over the past three months, government forces have continued to carry out indiscriminate attacks, bombarding populated civilian areas using artillery shells and barrel bombs and other air-delivered munitions. Opposition fighters have also carried out indiscriminate attacks.

Both government forces and non-state armed groups have also cut water and power supplies to the besieged areas denying the civilian population access to food, medicine and medical care. They have also prevented people from moving to and from the areas under siege. 

Only on rare occasions have the besieging forces permitted humanitarian organizations to enter these areas to deliver critically needed aid. 

In the meantime, people continue to suffer unimaginable hardship.