A post on AJE Syria blog [View all]

Jaygarem

Friends who recently managed to leave Syria say they are living in a state of fear in Damascus. Having to pass through many checkpoints just to get home from work. Often with gunfire in the background. They say the people never thought that the regime would go this far and now no-one will ever forgive them. Electricity, gas and mazoot are in very short supply, also many basic foodstuffs. Often they are without electricity for 14 hours a day. This is in the capital, so outside will be even worse. They say Syria is isolated and the economy destroyed. They worry about what will happen in the future and especially they are worried about the different groups who might want to take control. They need some clarity from the opposition. They don't want Russian or Chinese in their country. They feel Assad is leading them over the edge of a cliff and he must be stopped. They are the middle class and business classes. Assad believes they are still with him. They are not, but they need assurances from the opposition, and this is urgent and critical.