Despite the fact that the Syrian Regular Forces has controlled Tadmur city since March 2017, they still prevent the populations from returning to the city. The forces presence in the city is limited to soldiers and militants in addition to members of foreign and non-Syrian militias such as Iranian and Afghan, according to sources that confirmed to STJ. The same resources confirmed that these militias are mainly based in the northern neighborhoods and domicile some civilians’ houses as headquarters.
The activist “Mohammad Hasan Al Ayed”, Tadmur News Network director, told STJ on August 30th 2018 that the Syrian Regular Forces still prevent the civilians from entering the city, except for limited number of loyal families that returned since they controlled over the city. Iranian and Afghan militias are in the city such as “Liwa Fatemiyoun Militia” that controls the northern neighborhood in the city and prevents families from returning to their houses after turning them into military headquarters and residences for their members.
One of Tadmur city residents who was displaced to Idleb province was quoted by “Al Ayed” “I returned from Idleb to Tadmur and entered the city to check my house (…) and I found members of “Fatemiyoun” inside it, and they told me that the house became a headquarter and I cannot take anything, so I came back to Idleb”.
“Al Ayed” added that Syrian government representatives in different areas are inviting Tadmur populations to register in the lists of those who desire to return to the city as these lists will be shared with the security apparatuses that in turn will approve/disapprove the returning of those families based on vetting. “Al Ayed” indicated that the last invitation was about three months ago and no results emerged yet.
For its part, the head of Tadmur city local council, which is currently based in Idleb, Dr. Bakr Qayyem told STJ on August 29th 2018 that the Syrian government ministries issued a decision in which it called the employees of Electricity and Water Establishments from Tadmur city exclusively to return to the city and practice in these establishments to rehabilitate the infrastructure. “Qayyem” said that allowing the employees to return to the city is only for providing services to the militaries and soldiers who are in the city, and not for the purpose of paving the way to return the populations, waving a termination for those who do not comply with this decision.
According to the statistics of Tadmur City Local Council, which was established in Idleb province in 2017, the families of Tadmur city are across Syria as follows; in Al Jazeera area (East of Euphrates river) that is held by Syria Democratic Forces (SDF), there are 400 families. In Al Bab area, in the northern countryside of Aleppo that is held by the factions of Euphrates Shield forces, there are 1200 families. In Idleb province, which is held by Jihadist and opposition factions, there are 1300 families. In the Syrian regular forces held areas, there are 3000 families. In Al Rakban camp, nearby the Jordanian-Syrian border, under the control of armed opposition factions, there are 700 families.