DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Once a vibrant center of trade and civilization on the banks of the Euphrates River, the town of Abu Kamal in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, has today descended into chaos. In the absence of effective oversight, gunfire has become a routine feature of daily life—used not only for self-defense but also to celebrate births, weddings, and exam results, or to settle minor disputes.
In Abu Kamal’s streets, the rumble of motorcycles mingles with the crack of gunfire. Stray bullets no longer surprise residents, who say they now fear celebrations as much as clashes. “Our lives have become unbearable,” said Abu Ahmad, a local resident. “We cannot let our children play outside for fear of stray bullets. Just last week, a wedding on our street turned into a funeral.”
Weapons without oversight
Activists and residents point to the widespread availability of weapons as a root cause of the problem. “Arms are sold cheaply—sometimes at a quarter of their real value,” said activist Majd al-Saad. “As a border town and smuggling hub, Abu Kamal has become a gateway not only for goods but also for weapons and even people.”
He added that widespread unemployment and lack of recreational opportunities have driven young men to view weapons as symbols of pride and status. The result, locals say, is tragedy: children killed while playing with guns, women struck by stray bullets while sleeping on rooftops, and civilians injured in street celebrations.
Security forces of the Syrian transitional government have attempted to address the issue through awareness campaigns, but their authority remains limited. “We try to prevent celebratory gunfire, especially in residential areas, but our capacity is weak and we lack full authority,” said Oweid al-Daham, a member of the local security committee.
The impact is stark in Abu Kamal’s hospitals. Surgeon Adham al-Barghash told North Press that medical centers receive severe gunshot cases on a daily basis. “Most are unintentional—children playing with weapons or stray bullets fired in joy or grief,” he said. “Many victims die despite the presence of new security institutions. We hold both the authorities and the shooters responsible.”
For residents, the crisis goes beyond disorder and requires urgent intervention. They call for banning weapons in civilian hands, enforcing the rule of law without favoritism, and creating jobs to reduce the appeal of armed posturing among youth.
“What is happening here is not just another incident of chaos—it is a cry for help,” said Abu Ahmad. “A bullet fired in joy at the birth of a child may kill another child on his way to school.”
Abu Kamal, scarred by years of conflict, is now facing a new test: whether the community can silence the gunfire and rebuild a sense of security and hope.