Roads paving resumed in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor following instability
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Road paving operations in Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, were resumed following the solution of the security tension that the region witnessed.
In mid-August, the Service Bureau affiliated with Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) in Deir ez-Zor began paving roads in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, specifying an asphalt quantity to pave two roads with 15,000 cubic meters.
However, the works were halted following a security operation announced by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Deir ez-Zor which escalated into clashes with armed groups led by the Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias.
On Aug. 27, the SDF launched a military operation called “Security Reinforcement” with the support of the US-led Global Coalition on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, specifically in Deir ez-Zor, “to eradicate ISIS sleeper cells, pursue criminals responsible for perpetrating injustices against the local population, and to track down smugglers who exploit the populace’s livelihoods.”
On Aug. 30, the SDF announced the dismissal of commander of Deir ez-Zor Military Council, Ahmad al-Khabil, known as Abu Khawla, from duty, for his involvement “in multiple crimes and violations, including communication and coordination with external entities hostile to the revolution, committing criminal offenses and engaging in drug trafficking, mismanaging of the security situation, his negative role in increasing the activities of ISIS cells,” according to the SDF.
The operation led to the eruption of clashes between the SDF and gunmen affiliated with the dismissed leaders and with Nawaf al-Bashir, leader of al-Baggara tribe and a pro-Iranian figure whose groups are active in the western bank of the Euphrates which is under the control of the Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias.
The year’s work plan focused on two themes, the first of which was the road connected between Susah and Baghuz, while the second is the road connected between Abu Hamam and Hajin, Muhammad al-Ogla, head of the Services Bureau in Deir ez-Zor, said.
Al-Ogla added that “after the security chaos ended, we resumed work to complete spreading the asphalt layer according to the previous plan that was set.”
He pointed out that there are obstacles to accelerating the pace of work due to the difficulties in securing essential materials for asphalting.
The length of the road connected between Hajin and Abu Hamam is 10 kilometers, while the road connected between Susah and Baghuz reaches approximately 15 kilometers with a width of six meters, and it will be paved with a thickness of 7 centimeters, according to the head of the Services Bureau.