QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Ahmad Abdulmajid sits in his office in the center of the city of Qamishli, northeast Syria, complaining about the recent stagnation in construction work, due to the shortage of cement caused by the closure of the Semalka-Faysh Khabour border crossing with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).
Ahmad Abdulmajid, a member of Qamishli’s Real Estate Union, said, “The situation is tragic. The crossing is a vital lifeline for the people, through which all materials – including cement, iron, and foodstuffs – are brought in. The crossing’s closure negatively affects all aspects of life.”
Qamishli’s markets are experiencing a severe scarcity of cement, resulting in a near paralysis of urban development.
On May 11, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced the closure of the border crossing without providing any details or specifying a reopening date.
The halt in construction work raises concerns about the daily needs of workers. He wonders, “How can those workers live now? All workers relying on construction materials are affected. If construction comes to a standstill, how will workers secure their daily income?”
Traders and real estate agents in Qamishli say that although the construction sector had already been struggling due to the devaluation of the Syrian pound against the dollar, the closure of the crossing has made the matters worse.
In Qamishli, the largest city in northeast Syria, unfinished buildings are prevalent as contractors face challenges in completing projects due to the high prices of necessary materials.
Dara Asskar, a contractor from Qamishli, told North Press, “The closure of the crossing affected contractors in Qamishli. If construction stops, workers and the city’s business activity will be affected too. Everything depends on cement which used to be imported through the crossing.”
“Adding to its high price which, a few days ago, hit $190, cement is now so difficult to obtain,” Asskar notes. “All crossings need to be reopened so that residents can resume their daily lives.”
On May 24, the Economy Board of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) issued a circular setting the price of a ton of cement at $95. The board also warned against monopolization by traders and imposed fines on such activities, aiming to ensure fair practices.
Muhammad Suleiman, a brick factory owner, said, “After the crossing’s closure, business activity was greatly affected, most notably with regard to cement and rebar.”
Suleiman said that one ton of cement was sold at $92 before the closure. Now, however, “the cost has risen to $150, making it increasingly challenging to secure supplies.”
While Suleiman continues to operate with his existing cement stock and without raising prices, he notes that if the closure persists, he may be forced to halt production and increase prices, as cement is a key material in his work.