By Ahmad Othman
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Ali al-Fayyad, 60, from Deir ez-Zor Governorate in eastern Syria complains about the massive increase of food prices in his area, which was caused by the recent chaos and the resulting security tension and road closure.
Last week, Deir ez-Zor witnessed a security tension leading to road closure due to clashes between armed groups and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
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.
Al-Fayyad, from the town of Shaafah in Deir ez-Zor eastern countryside, says he and his fellow residents of Deir ez-Zor eastern countryside are struggling to find food supplies due to recent shortages. “People cannot secure a loaf of bread”, he said.
He added that when food supplies are available, they are very expensive, in which the price of a kilogram of sugar reaches 20,000 Syrian pounds (SYP), while kilogram of tea costs 150,000 SYP, and Kg of any vegetable price has reached around 10,000 SYP.
The man calls for solutions and the provision of food supplies for the population, who have become victims of the security tensions in the region.
This operation resulted in roads closure, the inability to deliver food and flour to the population in the area, as well as the sabotage and theft of public properties, leading to the shutdown of 5 water stations due to vandalism and theft.
On Sep. 8, the SDF announced the completion of the operation and reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying efforts against all “criminal elements and ISIS cells to ensure security and stability in the region.”
Muhannad al-Najm, a resident of Shaafah, calls for the provision of food supplies, calling the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and organizations, especially since most of the shops were closed due to the unavailability of supplies.
He says food supplies and vegetables of all kinds are scarce in eastern Deir ez-Zor, adding that movement of population in the streets has become almost non-existent due to the lack of fuel as well.
The price of one liter of diesel has risen to 4,000 SYP, while the price of one liter of gasoline has reached 15,000 SYP, according to al-Najm.
He noted to the unavailability of bread, which most residents suffer from in terms of dire economic conditions and livelihoods.
On Sep. 10, a catering official of the Civil Administration of the AANES in Deir ez-Zor told North Press that they were trying to deliver flour to inactive bakeries due to the security tension that lasted for about two weeks.
“All eastern countryside bakeries, numbering 38, are inactive and have not received their flour allocations due to the security tension”, Muhannad al-Hussein, an administrator at the Supply Directorate of the Civil Council of Deir ez-Zor, said.
The service situation in Deir ez-Zor has been affected by recent events, and the SDF has promised to secure the needs of the population after expelling those they called them as intruders.