Douma Mayor Samir Bwaydani estimated the total volume of rubble in the city at approximately 210,000 cubic meters. In cooperation with the local community, nearly 60,000 cubic meters have been cleared so far, while the Syrian Civil Defense, in coordination with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, is currently working to remove an additional 44,000 cubic meters.
During the revolution, fighters in Douma dug a large network of tunnels to facilitate the underground movement of ambulances. Many shelters, medical points, and surgical operating rooms were interconnected through these tunnels, which served as main arteries linked to smaller subsidiary passages. Bwaydani revealed that work is currently underway to convert one of Douma’s tunnels into a museum. The tunnel, which is 500 meters long, was previously used as a vital ambulance passage.
Preserving Memory Amid Reconstruction
Bwaydani explained that the aim of this initiative is to highlight the efforts of revolutionaries in Eastern Ghouta during the intense bombardment carried out by the Assad regime. The museum will document how ambulances accessed and operated through this underground corridor, shedding light on a critical dimension of the city’s resilience and survival during the conflict.
Tunnels: A Critical File for a Growing City
The issue of tunnels remains one of the most important dossiers for Douma, whose population has grown to nearly 700,000 residents following the return of many families from northern Syria after liberation.
Municipal authorities have been addressing the condition of numerous tunnels that could affect infrastructure and the structural safety of buildings. The decision to convert this specific tunnel into a museum reflects a shift from viewing tunnels solely as a safety challenge to recognizing their historical and symbolic value. This project seeks to transform a symbol of wartime necessity into a permanent space for memory and education, as Douma continues its difficult path toward reconstruction and recovery.
