Barzeh, Syria
Barzeh or Barza is a municipality and a neighborhood to the north of Damascus, Syria. According to the Syria Central Bureau of Statistics, Barzeh had a population of 47,339 in the 2004 census.
History
Barzeh's foundation dates back to at least Roman times. There is archaeological evidence of Roman and Aramean tombs in the area. Traditionally, it has always been a town of the Ghouta and, therefore, closely linked to agriculture. Rice, oil and olives, and various types of fruit were produced. Barzeh was recorded as Berze on a Tahrir Defter record in 1535; its population at the time consisted of 38 households, 4 bachelors, and a khatib. In the 20th century, it was absorbed into Damascus.Syrian Civil War
The municipality had been active in the Syrian civil war. The Sunni Arab Barzeh al-Balad neighborhood was largely pro-rebel. However, the neighboring Alawite "slum" Ish al-Warwar was largely pro-government. The Barzeh area had been under truce between the rebels and government since 2014.On 1 April 2015, the rebels launched a military campaign to expel the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from the Barzeh and Qaboun neighborhoods, which succeeded three days later. On 8 February 2016, an IS car bomb targeting a government officer's club killed eight people in Masakin Barzeh.
On 29 May 2017, the Syrian government regained control of the entire district.
But on the night of Dec 7 and early hours of Dec 8, 2024, amid the lightning 2024 Syrian opposition offensives, some residents claimed Syrian rebels already gained a foothold in Barzeh during the Battle of Damascus.
Neighborhoods
- Al-Abbas
- Barza al-Balad
- Ish al-Warwar
- Al-Manara
- Masakin Barzeh
- An-Nuzha
Population
- 1922: 2000 inhabitants
- 1935: 3500 inhabitants
- 1950: 4,239 inhabitants
- 1960: 6554 inhabitants
- 2004: 47,339 inhabitants