Syrians Resort to Unconventional Transportation in Damascus

Syrians Resort to Unconventional Transportation in Damascus

Ailed by a snowballing fuel and economic crisis, Syrians have backslid to outdated modes of transportation like riding horses and mules to get around the capital, Damascus.

"The crisis is overwhelming, and the country is almost paralyzed,“ a Damascene resident complained to Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that employees and students are not showing up to their desks either because of coronavirus risks or absent means of transportation.

"Work at state departments and offices is almost nonexistent due to power cuts and disruption of computers and networks,“ the resident noted, describing the situation in Syria as "catastrophic.“

Syria, which has been torn by over a decade of civil war, is now unable to secure all the fuel supplies needed to power the country's offices, public transportation and homes.

Hordes of people can be seen waiting at way stations all day long. Syrians have been left to struggle daily for grabbing their spots on public transportation buses that have been cut down in numbers due to a recurring and aggravating fuel crisis.

The Damascene roads once famous for hustling and bustling traffic are now almost empty.

A teacher at one of the capital's downtown schools recounts how walking has become the only available option to get to work.

Teachers in