Baladi News – Hama (Musab al-Ashqar)
The city of Salhab in Hama western countryside witnessed demonstrations of dozens of residents in solidarity with the patients of viral hepatitis that has spread among a large number of people for 45 days. The cases resulted from the reliance on wells to obtain drinking water due to the cut-off of tap water supply to the city.
Located in al-Ghab plain in the western part of Hama governorate east from Lattakia Mountains, and characterized by its fertile soil, moderate climate, and abundant water thanks to its proximity to Orontes River and its branches, the city is considered as one of the most prominent residential areas supporting the Syrian regime. The area is a center of various national defense militia units and is surrounded by several military divisions.
Baladi News interviewed the coordinator of these demonstrations (M.S), who refused to mention his real identity due to security reasons. The speaker explained what the city is going through, saying “Potable water is almost completely cut-off in the city, which forced residents to use well waters to meet their needs. This caused the spread of viral hepatitis to large populations, driving personnel from the department of health to analyze well waters.”
“The outcomes of the analysis were negative, which confirms that water is contaminated and unpotable. That is why hundreds of residents demonstrated, calling for laying off the governor of Hama, who did not answer their demands. They were also holding banners claiming for holding those responsible for the problem accountable.”
Meanwhile, member of the Free Council of Hama, Khaled Mansour, told Baladi News that “Such a crisis reveals the failure of the regime departments and systems in the containment of sanitation problems of the allied areas. This is attributed to the fact that the regime attention and economic capabilities are focused on military operations as well as paying the salaries of its mercenaries, neglecting its supporters.”
It is noteworthy that most of the liberated parts of al-Ghab plain include water pumping stations, which causes concern in the supporting villages.