{"id":131159,"date":"2025-10-19T09:31:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T09:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=131159"},"modified":"2025-10-19T09:31:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T09:31:12","slug":"destroyed-al-asharah-bridge-deepens-isolation-hardship-in-deir-ez-zor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/131159\/","title":{"rendered":"Destroyed al-Asharah bridge deepens isolation, hardship in Deir ez-Zor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) \u2013 <\/strong>Voices of distress are rising in the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, eastern Syria, particularly in the towns of al-Asharah, Daranj, and nearby villages, as severe damage to the vital al-Asharah Bridge has paralyzed daily life and caused a major transportation crisis in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The al-Asharah Bridge, once a main lifeline connecting the two banks of the Euphrates River, was the only route linking al-Asharah with northeastern Syria. It served as a key passage for residents of one of Deir ez-Zor\u2019s oldest and most active towns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the destroyed bridge stands as a stark reminder of the suffering endured by locals, who must now travel tens of kilometers to reach the opposite bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grueling journey<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A trip that once took only minutes has turned into hours of hardship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the years of conflict, the area around the bridge witnessed heavy fighting. An airstrike by the U.S.-led Global Coalition in 2016, during the campaign against the Islamic State (ISIS), destroyed the bridge\u2019s midsection, cutting all traffic. Reports also suggest that Russian airstrikes had previously damaged the structure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abdul Majid al-Khalaf, a resident of al-Asharah, told North Press that anyone wishing to cross to the other bank must now travel about 60 kilometers by car, and up to 70 kilometers when heading toward Abu Kamal, due to the bridge\u2019s destruction and the suspension of ferry service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Khalaf said that the long distances waste time and fuel and weigh heavily on the area\u2019s economy and public services, noting that residents live in near-total isolation between the two sides of the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He appealed to the relevant authorities and the Syrian transitional government to rehabilitate the al-Asharah Bridge, which connects both banks of the river, including the cities of al-Asharah and Daranj and their surrounding villages. \u201cThe bridge has sustained extensive damage and is now completely out of service,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Danger for patients and students<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The most severe danger lies in the humanitarian and medical aspects, as residents are forced to transport patients across the river using unsafe boats and makeshift ferries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al-Khalaf warned that transferring patients in unsafe boats has led to tragic deaths. \u201cTransporting emergency cases without proper crossings could have catastrophic outcomes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mohammed al-Ta\u2019ma, a resident of al-Mayadin, said the suffering is immense. \u201cMany accidents have occurred near the bridge,\u201d he said, explaining that residents are forced to drive long detours through Deir ez-Zor city and back to al-Asharah, covering dozens of additional kilometers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The bridge serves a wide area,” al-Ta\u2019ma added. “Instead of travelling long distances to Deir ez-Zor city to cross to the river. People could once use this bridge to save time and effort especially in humanitarian cases such as medical emergencies.”  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economic burden on vulnerable groups<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The bridge\u2019s destruction has also imposed severe financial hardship on vulnerable groups\u2014particularly students and employees who must commute daily to reach universities and workplaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bahaa al-Wiyas, from the town of Daranj, told North Press that students and workers face enormous challenges in commuting. \u201cThere are students who must cross the river to reach universities, and employees who need to reach their jobs. We call on the government to rebuild the bridge,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unified and urgent demands<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Residents of the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor are united in a single, urgent demand: the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the al-Asharah Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As local voices grow louder, calling on the new government to act swiftly, the collapsed bridge remains a symbol of prolonged suffering\u2014threatening lives and paralyzing daily, educational, and economic activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For residents, rebuilding the bridge is not merely a development project but a humanitarian necessity to end the isolation that has divided communities across the Euphrates, cutting off what was once their only link between the two banks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reporting by Ali al-Beki\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Editing by Jwan Shekaki <\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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