Deir Ezzor diary part 2: Scenes from Deir Ezzor city

By: Janice Kortkamp

Date: October 21, 2017

For three years this city was under siege by ISIS while a part of it was held through great sacrifice by the Syrian Army. Rest in Peace General Zahereddine and all the martyrs. For three years they had very little food, sharing what was able to be airdropped by the Syrian government … survival rations … and many Syrian helicopter pilots were killed doing it.

These children had forgotten what fresh fruits and vegetables tasted like.

Much of the population fled before and while ISIS took over most of the area. Before the war, Deir Ezzor city had 350,000 people; now less than 70,000. Before ISIS there were over 1,100 doctors in the province; only 19 remained during the terrorists’ seige. No running water or electricity. Usually no internet or phone connection. They lived a life that most of us can never imagine.

In addition to the deprivation of the siege, the residents were under threat continually from ISIS mortars, suicide bombers, snipers, and kidnappings.

The threats remain in some pockets. We were told not to cross a certain street that is sometimes used by hard-to-track snipers. A week before we arrived ISIS bombed a school and killed many children.

But as the people here told us, they felt like dead men walking before the Syrian Army and allies broke the siege and now they feel they are living again.

It has an other-worldly feel … a surreal frontier … semi-ghost town. Some areas though are almost untouched by damage and hopefully after Syria defeats ISIS completely former residents will return.

Now though the stalls and shops in the souk are filled and over flowing with gorgeous fresh produce and lots of food. And prices are low. The government and military are working around the clock to provide sustenance and services and safety for these tough survivors.

Even after all they’ve been through, most of children have bright eyes and big smiles. As I walked through the streets and made eye contact with people who were curious but maybe a little suspicious of foreigners, I would offer a gentle smile. Usually their faces would change and I received a big smile back and often that wonderful Syrian greeting, in English, “You are most welcome in Syria. You are most welcome in Deir Ezzor.”

As the first American to enter Deir Ezzor since the terrorists hit here, legally and in good will with the blessing of the legitimate government and army of the sovereign nation of Syria that is, that greeting meant the world to me. The American forces/coalition that has been aiding and abetting ISIS and other terrorist mercenaries are not welcome … at all … our attempted murder of Syria is despised by the Syrians.

How, I wondered, does that light still shine after years of terror and suffering?

But I believe I know the answer. This is Syria, and there is a spirit-root of goodness, strength, and friendship here that simply refuses to surrender and die.