“Mountains of Waste” overwhelm Damascus, its countryside

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that “mountains of waste” are overwhelming the capital Damascus and its countryside, amid a clear absence of municipal services and sanitation teams, while local officials attribute the situation to a shortage of fuel and machinery.

16 April, 2026 18:58

NEWSDESK

The SOHR stated that Damascus and its countryside are witnessing a noticeable deterioration in public services and environmental conditions, with the worsening accumulation of garbage in streets amid the apparent absence of municipalities and cleaning crews.

It noted that piles of waste are now filling both main and side streets, particularly in areas such as Jaramana, Kashkoul, and Dweilaa, where garbage has been accumulating inside and around containers for days without being collected.

This situation has led to the spread of foul odors, insects, and rodents, raising growing concerns about the outbreak of diseases and epidemics, especially in densely populated areas.

According to the SOHR, officials attribute this decline to a shortage of fuel and equipment, as well as a lack of workers, while residents complain of a near-total paralysis in services and the continued absence of effective solutions, turning residential neighborhoods into random dumps lacking basic public safety standards.

A-H

ANHA