Douma دُومَا | |
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 Douma in 2025 | |
 Interactive map of Douma | |
  Douma Location in Syria Show map of Syria Douma Douma (Eastern Mediterranean) Show map of Eastern Mediterranean | |
| Coordinates:33°34′16″N36°24′04″E / 33.57111°N 36.40111°E /33.57111; 36.40111 | |
| Country |  Syria |
| Governorate | Rif Dimashq |
| District | Douma District |
| Subdistrict | Douma Subdistrict |
| Control | Syrian transitional government |
| Government | |
| • Governor | عامر الشيخ |
| • Mayor | سمير بويضاني[1] |
| Elevation | 428 m (1,404 ft) |
| Population (2004 census) | |
• Total | 110,893[2] |
| Demonym(s) | Arabic:دوماني,romanized: Doumani Arabic:دوميّ,romanized: Doumi |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (AST) |
| Geocode | C2338 |
| Climate | BSk |
Douma (Arabic:دُومَا,romanized: Dūmā) is acity inSyria. Its centre is about 10 km (6 mi) northeast of the centre ofDamascus. Being the capital ofRif Dimashq Governorate, the city is also the administrative centre ofDouma District. Douma is a major city of the region known asGhouta, for theperi-urban settlements to the east and south of Damascus.
During theSyrian Civil War, Douma was a major flashpoint and witnessed numerous demonstrations against the Syrian government and armed clashes against the Syrian Army and security forces during theearly stages of the conflict.[3][4]
On 30 January 2012, theSyrian Army gained control of the city after theBattle of Douma, a major operation against the opposition armed groups inRif Dimashq Governorate.[5]
On 29 June 2012, the Syrian Army was accused of committing a massacre in Douma, where more than 50 people were killed.[6]
As of 18 October 2012, theFree Syrian Army was in control of most of the suburb. Fighting and bombardments continued in the town.[7]
Douma was the main city of theSiege of Eastern Ghouta which began in April 2013, isolating 400,000 people in a 100 square kilometre area. UN and Red Cross aid convoys were able to reach Douma with food and supplies once in 2018.[8]
In the2015 Douma market massacre, the city was attacked by Syrian Army ground-to-ground missiles, leaving at least 50 dead and several more missing.[9]
In early 2018, the main rebel faction based in the city wasSaudi Arabian-backed[10]Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam),[11][12] with an estimated 10-15,000 fighters in the region.[13]
On 7 April 2018, achemical attack was carried out in the city. Douma had been the target of bombing campaigns over four months in 2018, asSyrian Air Force forces intensified their aerial bombardment before launching a ground offensive.[14] The last and deadliest, according to medics and rescue workers, occurred when a yellow industrial gas cylinder was reportedly dropped onto the balcony of a block of flats. The opposition's surrender came a day later.[15][16] After that, Syrian Army recaptured the city.[17]
In September 2018, the UN Commission of Enquiry on Syria reported: "Throughout 7 April, numerous aerial attacks were carried out in Douma, striking various residential areas. A vast body of evidence collected by the Commission suggests that, at approximately 7.30 p.m., a gas cylinder containing a chlorine payload delivered by helicopter struck a multi-storey residential apartment building located approximately 100 metres southwest of Shohada square. The Commission received information on the death of at least 49 individuals and the wounding of up to 650 others... the Commission cannot make yet any conclusions concerning the exact causes of death, in particular on whether another agent was used in addition to chlorine that may have caused or contributed to deaths and injuries"[18][19] Local rebels and civilians were sent into northern Syria in forced exile. Similar forced displacement deals have taken place all over Syria.[20]
During the2021 Syrian presidential election, the current Syrian PresidentBashar al-Assad and First LadyAsma al-Assad cast their votes in the city of Douma.[21]
Between 2018 and 2023, around 108,000 people also returned to the city and its surroundings.[1] In 2022, the emergency hospital was inaugurated.[22] Also in 2022,Syrian Telecom Center was reopened after its restoration, with cost ofSYP 2.5 billion.[23] By 2024, a number of reconstruction works was launched. Street lightning, a temporary provincial health center, 23 out of 33 schools of all types, and an automated bakery have been restored.[1] Also, the tunnels left by militant organizations under many government institutions and buildings were filled, and constructions rehabilitated.[1] In addition, by the end of 2024, a new provincial hospital in the city will be opened.[1]
Douma is the largest city located in the settlement slush in theGhouta oasis that surrounds Damascus from the south and east. Around the city of Douma is the strategicM5 Highway connecting Damascus with the north of the country and across theSyrian Desert and also withIraqi capitalBaghdad.
Douma has acold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classificationBSk).
| Climate data for Douma | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 12.1 (53.8) | 14.0 (57.2) | 18.1 (64.6) | 22.9 (73.2) | 28.5 (83.3) | 33.3 (91.9) | 35.5 (95.9) | 35.6 (96.1) | 32.1 (89.8) | 26.8 (80.2) | 19.8 (67.6) | 14.0 (57.2) | 24.4 (75.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 6.8 (44.2) | 8.1 (46.6) | 11.5 (52.7) | 15.4 (59.7) | 20.1 (68.2) | 24.2 (75.6) | 26.0 (78.8) | 26.0 (78.8) | 22.8 (73.0) | 18.5 (65.3) | 12.9 (55.2) | 8.5 (47.3) | 16.7 (62.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 1.5 (34.7) | 2.3 (36.1) | 4.9 (40.8) | 8.0 (46.4) | 11.7 (53.1) | 15.1 (59.2) | 16.6 (61.9) | 16.5 (61.7) | 13.5 (56.3) | 10.2 (50.4) | 6.1 (43.0) | 3.1 (37.6) | 9.1 (48.4) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 33 (1.3) | 39 (1.5) | 20 (0.8) | 13 (0.5) | 7 (0.3) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 8 (0.3) | 25 (1.0) | 40 (1.6) | 185 (7.3) |
| Source: Climate-Data.org[24] | |||||||||||||
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