Risks and Realities of Smuggling Routes in Northern Syria
In the ongoing conflict in Syria, the risk of traveling between areas controlled by the Syrian regime and the opposition has forced many individuals to resort to dangerous smuggling routes. An elderly woman, Umm Muhammad, undertook a perilous journey from Douma to Idlib, reuniting with her son after more than eight years apart. The journey, organized through a smuggling office, cost her son approximately $500. Due to the presence of military checkpoints, which scrutinize travelers for any security records, Umm Muhammad was compelled to take this route to avoid potential arrest.
Travelers like Umm Muhammad face not only financial burdens but also physical challenges, as evidenced by her struggle to walk three kilometers before being transported to safety. The phenomenon of smuggling has surged in recent years, coinciding with decreased military conflict and increased military checkpoints that restrict movement. Many individuals fleeing compulsory military service or seeking to reunite with family members find themselves navigating these treacherous paths, often organized by clandestine travel agencies that facilitate such journeys.
The Cost of Travel: Smuggling vs. Regular Routes
While smuggling routes are fraught with danger, they are often the only option for those with a security record. For instance, Abdul Karim Al-Halabi paid $1,000 to a smuggler to escape from regime-controlled Aleppo to the liberated north, a journey that took him approximately 36 hours. He noted that military checkpoints did not question him during the trip, highlighting the unpredictable nature of these routes.
In contrast, regular travel routes are less expensive, typically costing around $300, but they come with their own risks. Travelers face extortion from military checkpoints, particularly from the Syrian regime's Fourth Division, which often fabricates charges to extract bribes. Wahid Al-Maari, another traveler, experienced this firsthand when he was stopped at a checkpoint and coerced into paying $500 to avoid arrest, despite having no ties to militant activities. These stories illustrate the dire circumstances many Syrians face as they navigate a landscape filled with uncertainty and danger.
- The ongoing conflict in Syria has created a complex web of control, with areas divided among the regime, opposition forces, and Kurdish groups. This division complicates travel for civilians, forcing them to engage in risky and often expensive smuggling operations. Human rights organizations have documented numerous instances of arrests and abuses at military checkpoints, highlighting the precarious situation for those attempting to traverse these territories. As the conflict continues, the plight of individuals like Umm Muhammad, Abdul Karim, and Wahid underscores the human cost of a divided Syria, where the desire for family reunification and freedom from conscription can lead to harrowing journeys fraught with danger.
