Baladi News – Homs (Houssam Mohammad)
Out of 450,000 people in 2012, including indigenous residents and refugees, the population of Al-Waer neighborhood in Homs dropped to 5,000 due to continuous displacement efforts of Assad’s regime and Russia.
In the second half of 2013, the displacement entered into force in the neighborhood. Since that time, Assad’s regime, backed by Shiite militias led by Hezbollah, has used weapons of all kinds. The neighborhood has lost nearly 1500 victims, including rebels and civilians, whereas thousands have been wounded. This military action forced nearly 425,000 people to flee towards several areas.
The displacement was culminated with the recent evacuation of 20,000 people according to a deal sponsored by Russia.
Sources reported that more than 40% of the neighborhood was levelled, whereas 70% was damaged. Schools as well as the only two hospitals, al-Waleed and al-Bir, were not exempted from the regime aggressions.
After the completion of the evacuation of residents, the regime soldiers distributed the regime’s flag and some Russian flags to the people who remained. In addition, 60 to 100 Russian troops were deployed in the neighborhood, where they would stay for 6 months amid expectations that Homs is going to be placed under the Russian guardianship.