MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) – The repeated Turkish threats and escalating attacks have caused instability in the marketplace in the city of Manbij in the eastern countryside of Aleppo Governorate, northern Syria, affecting many aspects of economic activities, including construction.
The city of Manbij, which turkey mentioned as a goal in its potential military operation, is one of the most important industrial centers in northern Syria, as it is a transportation hub and sits on a commercial road linking the areas of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) with those of the Syrian government, and the opposition-held areas in northern Syria.
Jamil al-Abdullah, 26, from Manbij, works as a day laborer in building construction projects to secure his family’s livelihood.
Al-Abdullah found difficulty in finding a job after the recent Turkish attacks in light of the halt of the building construction projects in Manbij.
For about two months, the building construction projects in Manbij have declined and are almost non-existent due to the tense atmosphere and the expectations that Turkey may launch a ground operation against Manbij.
Therefore, the residents do not risk spending their money on projects for fear of displacement.
On Nov. 20, 2022, the Turkish forces initiated an unprecedented aerial bombardment and artillery shelling against vital facilities and infrastructure in many areas of north and northeastern Syria, extending from the northern countryside of Aleppo in the northwest up to Derik (al-Malikiyah) on the far northeast.
Although sporadically, the Turkish shelling continues, so that, the people fear Turkey may soon launch its military operation in northern Syria.
Al-Abdullah told North Press that the decline in the construction building projects has affected him badly, as he struggles to secure his family’s daily needs.
The situation is further exacerbated by the ongoing devaluation of the Syrian currency, which has surpassed 7.000 Syrian pounds (SYP) against the US dollar in the past week of 2022.
Ahmad Ali, 40, a resident of Manbij, was also touched by the decline of the situation, where he complained about the lack of job opportunities and low wages.
He added that the Turkish threats negatively affected the building process.
The majorities of Manbij’s residents are day laborers and mostly work in construction building projects. Therefore, many of them have been affected despite their low daily wages which are estimated at 15.000 SYP an average.
For the same reasons, the work of Hussein al-Hassoun, 39, owner of a stone sawmill, has declined. He said, “The work is almost stopped and the economic activities have been disrupted.”
Turkey’s persistent threats to launch a ground military operation in northern Syria could lead to a massive displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents, like what happened in the Turkish military operation against Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), north of Hasakah, and Tel Abyad, north of Raqqa, in 2019.
In October 2019, the Turkish forces and their affiliated armed opposition factions, known as the Syrian National Army (SNA), launched a military operation against Tel Abyad and Sere Kaniye.
The operation was named “Peace Spring” and led to the occupation of the two cities and their countryside in addition to the displacement of more than 300.000 of the original inhabitants.
Al-Hassoun’s work depends on the work of the construction building projects. This means he will be negatively affected if the projects stopped stop.