Assad’s Trojan Horse Comes To Moadamiya

Posted on Facebook on January 24, 2014

It’s been a while since I blogged and told the world about what’s going on in Moadamiya, but once again, the lack of electrical power and an overdose of trouble keep getting in the way. But I decided I have to make time for this no matter what, so here I am. Assad’s weapon of starvation is now in its most advanced stage: the Trojan Horse. The Assad regime is trying to turn people against one another, using food as a weapon of war and as a weapon to divide us. The regime has allowed the delivery of only three shipments of food containing just one meal per person since we agreed to the truce and raised the regime flag.
You know that prolonged starvation can stop your mind from thinking straight, change your beliefs and even your faith in things you previously took for granted. That’s my explanation for the big change I’ve noticed in many people here in Moadamiya.
For me, starvation inspired me to start the hunger strike, which is something I’d never thought about before. Only a few of our townspeople have made the best of our situation. For the majority, this unspeakable suffering has brought out an ugly side.I can somewhat understand why people seem to only care only about getting food, no matter what the terms are, but for me that is unacceptable. I feel the hunger they feel, but I am not willing to be blackmailed by the regime. Besides raising the flag, the regime wants us to also give up heavy and light weapons, which are the only protection we have against the regime coming in and carrying out a full massacre on our people.
The regime has also requested that all leaders of the Free Syrian Army and powerful local council members go out and negotiate with the regime face to face. They have called for all high level officers and prominent activists to report to the Fourth Division Headquarters, without any assurances of safety. At the division, they will be interrogated and asked to sign a statement stating they are terrorists and likely also be asked to sign blank documents, and God knows what the regime will use those for. This is the way of the Assad regime and we know it well.
Some members of the negotiation committee are working hard to stir a big mess in the town, which will make us weak and an easy bite for the regime. So, here’s the regime’s Trojan Horse: food and a truce, an apparent gift, which the town leaders sign for with good intentions, but this so called gift destroys us from the inside. Assad slowly takes control of the town, and activists like me continue to receive death threats for speaking out against the regime’s evil methods.
As my situation in the town grows more and more dangerous, I’ve decided to leave Moadamiya. This of course is impossible due to the siege, but I am working on finding a way out. Your prayers and well wishes are appreciated.
-Qusai Zakarya