Youmna al-Dimashqi is an independent Syrian freelance journalist and a regular Syria Deeply contributor. https://www.newsdeeply.com/refugees/contributor/youmna-al-dimashqi/rss en Government & Pro-Government Forces Human Rights ISIS Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Tue, 01 May 2018 09:10:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/05/01/the-civilian-cost-of-syrias-new-battle-against-isis https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/05/01/the-civilian-cost-of-syrias-new-battle-against-isis Civilians residing in the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp south of Damascus are caught in fierce fighting between government forces and ISIS militants, while being deprived of healthcare, food and medical supplies. Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs Government & Pro-Government Forces Mon, 16 Apr 2018 07:30:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/04/16/for-many-syrians-missile-strikes-will-have-little-impact https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/04/16/for-many-syrians-missile-strikes-will-have-little-impact Some Syrians were expecting larger strikes on Syria in response to last week’s suspected chemical weapons attack. Others were hoping for no response at all. Many, however, said the strikes would have little impact on the balance of power on the ground. Displacement Thu, 29 Mar 2018 12:10:00 +0000 Hashem Osseiran, Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/29/fears-and-farewells-the-road-from-ghouta-to-idlib https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/29/fears-and-farewells-the-road-from-ghouta-to-idlib For the tens of thousands of evacuees from the East Ghouta suburbs of Damascus, the road from the opposition enclave to Idlib was fraught with challenges. Reaching the northern province, however, has done little to ease their fears and concerns. Government & Pro-Government Forces Human Rights Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Fri, 23 Mar 2018 12:20:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/23/we-are-waiting-for-death-voices-from-ghoutas-underground-bunker https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2018/03/23/we-are-waiting-for-death-voices-from-ghoutas-underground-bunker Tens of thousands of people have fled the eastern Ghouta suburbs of Damascus in recent weeks. Many of the hundreds of thousands who remain, however, are hiding in underground shelters, with little access to food, water and sunlight. Civil Society ISIS Thu, 07 Dec 2017 12:46:40 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/12/07/conversations-life-as-a-paramedic-during-isis-rule-of-raqqa https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/12/07/conversations-life-as-a-paramedic-during-isis-rule-of-raqqa For medical professionals in ISIS’ former stronghold of Raqqa, trying to save lives meant risking shelling, airstrikes and arrest. Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Tue, 18 Jul 2017 12:39:13 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/07/18/after-the-buses-life-in-a-government-controlled-damascus-suburb https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2017/07/18/after-the-buses-life-in-a-government-controlled-damascus-suburb The Damascus suburb of Barzeh, once a thorn in the side of the Syrian government, has been under full government control for less than two months. Syria Deeply takes a look at the current situation in the neighborhood through the eyes of its remaining residents. Crises & Conflicts Refugee Voices Mon, 12 Sep 2016 04:06:43 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/refugees/articles/2016/09/12/the-long-road-from-raqqa-to-europe-2 https://www.newsdeeply.com/refugees/articles/2016/09/12/the-long-road-from-raqqa-to-europe-2 After the so-called Islamic State killed his son, Khalaf and his family fled their home in Raqqa, Syria for Europe. This is the story of their journey, which has yet to end, as the closing of borders has continued to tear them apart. Displacement ISIS Tue, 06 Sep 2016 13:58:53 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/09/06/the-long-road-from-raqqa-to-europe https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/09/06/the-long-road-from-raqqa-to-europe After the so-called Islamic State killed his son, Khalaf and his family fled their home in Raqqa, Syria for Europe. This is the story of their journey, which has yet to end, as the closing of borders has continued to tear them apart. Government & Pro-Government Forces War Economy Mon, 25 Apr 2016 00:59:26 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/04/25/new-damascus-housing-law-feeds-bribe-culture https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/04/25/new-damascus-housing-law-feeds-bribe-culture Damascus is facing a housing crisis as displaced Syrians stream into the capital. New government-imposed security regulations targeting the new arrivals are feeding an already vibrant culture of price manipulation and bribery. Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Tue, 22 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/03/22/iron-rule-jaish-al-islam-in-eastern-ghouta https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2016/03/22/iron-rule-jaish-al-islam-in-eastern-ghouta Jaish al-Islam’s leader Zahran Alloush was killed by Syrian government airstrikes last year, but his successors are keeping his brutal legacy alive in Eastern Ghouta. Syria Deeply spoke to residents and former prisoners of the “Army of Islam” about the group’s severe punishment of dissent. Arts & Culture Civil Society War Economy Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/12/10/diy-in-damascus-besieged-rooftop-gardens https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/12/10/diy-in-damascus-besieged-rooftop-gardens Green rooftops are popping up across Damascus in neighborhoods under government siege. With no sign of the blockade letting up and no available agricultural land, residents in the rebel-held areas of the capital are making use of open roofs, sunlight and seeds to feed their families. Displacement Education Thu, 29 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/10/29/khaldoun-sinjab-a-life-of-constant-struggle https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/10/29/khaldoun-sinjab-a-life-of-constant-struggle From high school golden boy to quadriplegic, from games designer to refugee, Khaldoun Sinjab has had it harder than most, but he’s not complaining. He just wants to breathe in peace. Civil Society Thu, 22 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/10/22/repurposed-weddings-emerge-from-the-ashes-of-the-syrian-conflict https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/10/22/repurposed-weddings-emerge-from-the-ashes-of-the-syrian-conflict Instead of hosting traditional weddings, many young Syrians, both inside and outside the country, are using the occasion to help out their fellow countrymen. Government & Pro-Government Forces Mon, 24 Aug 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/08/24/syrian-government-attacks-on-douma-beyond-tragic https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/08/24/syrian-government-attacks-on-douma-beyond-tragic Syria Deeply spoke to residents of Douma, a Damascus-area town that has been attacked by government forces three times in the last week. Airstrikes have killed hundreds of civilians, including children, in this already besieged community, leading a local council to declare the area a “disaster zone”. Human Rights Tue, 18 Aug 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/08/18/activist-displays-50000-photos-of-syrian-victims-in-front-of-the-white-house https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/08/18/activist-displays-50000-photos-of-syrian-victims-in-front-of-the-white-house Activist Tamer Turkmani spoke to Syria Deeply about his efforts to raise awareness about suffering in Syria. Civil Society Tue, 14 Jul 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/07/14/syrians-struggle-to-celebrate-ramadan-as-civil-war-rages-on https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/07/14/syrians-struggle-to-celebrate-ramadan-as-civil-war-rages-on Syria Deeply spoke locals in the embattled community of al-Waer as they try to celebrate Ramadan under siege. Government & Pro-Government Forces Thu, 07 May 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/05/07/a-womans-harrowing-account-of-torture-and-abuse-inside-assads-prisons https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/05/07/a-womans-harrowing-account-of-torture-and-abuse-inside-assads-prisons “We were exposed to hunger, electrocution, beating and insults. We got sick, we got lice and scabies, and were often strip searched, which was the worst part.” Opposition Groups & Rebel Forces Fri, 20 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/02/20/syrians-stage-ongoing-protests-against-al-qaida-in-southern-damascus https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/02/20/syrians-stage-ongoing-protests-against-al-qaida-in-southern-damascus Our most common slogans are: “Leave the people. Take your emirate and leave” and “Nusra Front, you claim to have come to stand by the people of Sham. But you kill, steal and assault [us]. Why?”. Civil Society Mon, 09 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/02/09/to-ease-human-suffering-syrian-volunteers-host-carnivals-crowdfund-medical-care https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/02/09/to-ease-human-suffering-syrian-volunteers-host-carnivals-crowdfund-medical-care The Mulham Volunteer Team has become a household name in Jordan and Syria for its almost quixotic battle to bring back rare smiles to young refugees. Human Rights Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Youmna al-Dimashqi https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/01/14/inside-a-shelter-for-displaced-women-in-eastern-ghouta https://www.newsdeeply.com/syria/articles/2015/01/14/inside-a-shelter-for-displaced-women-in-eastern-ghouta “We believe that the center is the answer for many of the women in Ghouta, especially those who have been made homeless.”.