On Day 2 of Syria Cease-Fire, Out at Playgrounds and Protests

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Children played on a trampoline in Douma, near Damascus, on Tuesday. Credit Mohammed Badra/European Pressphoto Agency
BEIRUT, Lebanon — In rebel-held areas of Syria, Day 2 of a shaky cease-fire offered a rare chance to go outside. For some, that meant enjoying the simple pleasure of playing on a swing. For others, it meant protesting.

But no matter, it was a change from the routine of lives in a war zone, where days were often spent cowering in fear of airstrikes.

Life During the Cease-fire
We are chronicling the experiences and observations of Syrians around the country during the partial truce.

DAY 1
Skepticism, but Also Hope
The cease-fire negotiated between Russia and the United States was supposed to allow for delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the divided city of Aleppo. Everything is needed: food, medicine, blankets. But United Nations officials said they had not received a guarantee of safe passage, and so truckloads of goods remained at the border with Turkey, out of reach.

Diplomacy is driven by those in power — who live and work safely outside the war-torn country. But it is the people of Syria who have the most at stake, and so we wanted to hear from them. For many, the pause in the fighting was a chance to experience the routines of life that many take for granted: Taking a photograph of a friend, shopping for food.

“I think both sides, the opposition and regime, are tired of this war and want to have a break,” said Abu Yaman, a father of four in Damascus.

Read more accounts below, and see more about the terms of the deal here.

Abu Yaman lives in Masakin Barzeh, in government-held Damascus, Syria’s capital. He spoke to a New York Times reporter who is identifying him only by a nickname for his safety.

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We woke up late today and had a simple breakfast. We are going to my wife’s family to spend two days there. The Eid vacation is long enough for visits and gives the children a good time before school starts in two weeks.

I am happy with the cease-fire, because all Syrians are tired of this absurd war. We wake up and go to sleep to the number of killed, injured and displaced Syrians. We are tired of all of that.

I think both sides, the opposition and regime, are tired of this war and want to have a break. President Bashar said that his regime will retake all the Syrian lands, but these are meaningless statements because he has no soldiers and he is begging Russia, Iran and Hezbollah to send more fighters. The cease-fire is a good test for all sides, and it’s good to wake up to the sounds of birds on my window — not the bombs and artilleries bombing Jobar and Douma.

 
CONFLICT IN SYRIA By MEGAN SPECIA 1:12
Syrian Nurse Explains Protests in Aleppo
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Syrian Nurse Explains Protests in Aleppo
Modar Shekho, a nurse in Aleppo, Syria, took part in a protest against international aid entering the city on Tuesday evening. By MEGAN SPECIA on Publish Date September 14, 2016. Photo by Modar Shekho. Watch in Times Video »
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Modar Shekho, 28, a nurse at al-Dakkak hospital in the rebel-held eastern section of Aleppo, took part in a protest Tuesday night against the planned U.N. aid convoy. Syrians there said that any aid delivery that required permission from the government would legitimize the siege. They called instead for free movement of goods and people — but Russia and the Syrian government say that is a security risk.

Mr. Shekho filmed the protest with his smartphone, showing a few dozen people, some carrying signs with a dark red X over the letters “U.N.” and flags of the Free Syrian Army and the rebranded Nusra Front.

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Aleppo
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People here are annoyed by the bad situation in Aleppo. All of the basic needs are highly taxed, and because of the siege, there is no oil. There are no basic things necessary for life.

People here need to ambulance some people to Turkey to get some care. People need a lot of other things, not this aid. People need their freedom. People said in this demonstration that they don’t need this aid, that they wanted oil, medical supplies. And they wanted the road out from Aleppo.

 
CONFLICT IN SYRIA By YARA BISHARA 1:13
In a Besieged Town, No Food and No Escape
Video
In a Besieged Town, No Food and No Escape
Hala Abdulwahab, 24, is a teacher in Madaya, Syria, near the Lebanese border. Civilians in the town struggle to get food on a daily basis. By YARA BISHARA on Publish Date September 14, 2016. Photo by Omar Sanadiki/Reuters. Watch in Times Video »
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Hala Abdulwahab, 24, a teacher in the besieged town of Madaya near the Lebanese border, spent the holiday taking advantage of the cease-fire to tour the town.

Madaya, Syria

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SYRIA
Madaya
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I spent my day out, taking photos of children celebrating Eid. It was Eid, and it wasn’t. I visited a friend of mine, a widow, her husband is a martyr. She has five children. I took photos of her washing the dishes.

I also visited my other friend, another schoolteacher, going through a bad depression. Her husband was evacuated from Zabadani a few months ago, and she was hoping to join him shortly. She’s missing him a lot. Unfortunately, he was imprisoned by the Free Syrian Army after they charged him with looting.

I went to the souk for some shopping. It was really crowded, but the prices were superhigh. I bought salt, lemon salt, peppers, Maggi soup cubes, half a liter of oil and 10 cigarettes. I paid $50.

So will the cease-fire continue until tomorrow night? Let me take the chance and go to the other side of the town and take some photos before it ends.