You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
ORSAM<br />
CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STRATEGIC STUDIES<br />
ORSAM: Has anyone that you don’t want<br />
ever joined in your group, or have you ever<br />
been raided by someone you don’t know?<br />
Usama Haled: Yes. We had hard times in Idlib<br />
province. Some people among us were caught<br />
and even killed. However, nobody could dare<br />
to infiltrate into our group in rural areas and<br />
out of town.<br />
* This interview was made by Feyyat Özyazar<br />
in Islahiye district of Gaziantep, on 26 July<br />
2012.<br />
An Interview with Mustafa Kaddur, a Syrian<br />
who fled to Turkey and settled in Reyhanlı<br />
district of Hatay by renting a house<br />
Mustafa Kaddur, from Kalcebril village of<br />
Idlib province, came to Reyhanlı with his wife<br />
and two children. We talked to him about the<br />
issues such as; high cost of living, worsening<br />
economic conditions and public security in<br />
Syria.<br />
Mustafa Kaddur: My name is Mustafa Kaddur.<br />
I am 30 years old, and my wife is 25 years<br />
old. I have two children. I was born in Kalcebril<br />
village of Idlib province. I am a high<br />
school graduate. A friend of mine and I operate<br />
a canteen on the international highway<br />
to Damascus on Aleppo Hama route. I did<br />
my military service on the Lebanese borderline,<br />
in the area between Israel and Lebanon.<br />
I have never fought, but I served in the army<br />
for 4 years (2 years of official service and 2<br />
years of requirement military service). In the<br />
area where I did my military service is the one<br />
that covers the long tour area of Syrian army<br />
in Lebanon.<br />
ORSAM: How has the Syrian economy been<br />
affected by the uprisings that have been going<br />
on for over a year?<br />
Mustafa Kaddur: Everything is approximately<br />
10 times more expensive than its previous<br />
price. When a liter of petrol was 15 20 SYP,<br />
now it ranges between 150 200 SYP and it is<br />
on the black market. Some individuals cornered<br />
the petrol market, and they sell it as they<br />
wish. It is the same for propane cylinder. The<br />
cheapest energy was electricity. Right now, it<br />
is the most expensive one. It is not only expensive,<br />
but also there is not always electricity.<br />
Frequently the electricity is cut off. Therefore<br />
none of the tradesmen can work consistently.<br />
Bread is rationed out among us. While<br />
a kilo of bread was 15 SYP (In Syria, bread is<br />
sold in kilo), today it is 50 Syrian Pound. And<br />
people wait in long queues to buy it. All kind<br />
of consumer goods, food stuffs, kitchenwares<br />
are all very expensive now. You work for all<br />
day long under these circumstances, and then<br />
you have more difficulty in going back to your<br />
home.The routes are dangerous, there is no<br />
life safety. If nobody, there are robbers who<br />
pose a risk. We barely visit each other even<br />
within the village. Everybody lives in fear.<br />
Now we are like strangers to each other with<br />
our neighbors and friends, with whom we<br />
lived together for years. Everyone started to<br />
be suspicious of one another. We never invite<br />
anyone over as guest. Because whenever<br />
someone comes to our house, the questioning<br />
starts: “Who is he? Why did he come? What<br />
are the news?”<br />
ORSAM: How did you and your opponent<br />
friends make a living in such an economic environment?<br />
Mustafa Kaddur: We had representatives.<br />
They helped us depending on our financial<br />
situation and the service we provide. But I<br />
don’t know their financial source.<br />
10<br />
ORSAM<br />
Report No: 157, May 2013
Change language