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Seven years into war,

Syrians fight for survival

The economic crisis in the country has cast its grim shadow over the people as locals are struggling
to survive, who are mostly jobless. Shop owners are grappling with growing inflation and weaker
Syrian pound, reports SHAMSHAD ALI

lived through it, I survived and I announced and gave a long sigh. “We ancholy. One would think what on the
cry every day because I saw my are all sufferers.” Earth am I doing here. All the faces I
country turned into rubble and We all went quiet for a while when see as I walked into the building may
every other house left to mourn its the plane finally landed with a thud have a story to tell. I could see it their
I dead,” a Syrian man told me on a breaking the silence. “Thank God,” said eyes. Hopelessness, fear, uncertainty,
plane as it was approaching Damascus the old man. “I thought this plane would confusion…
International Airport at around 9:30 never land.” I couldn’t stand to witness this and
pm. Our conversation was cut short As the door opened, a strong gust my legs gave a shake. I took a cab to a
by an old man who told us to stop talk- of wind blew on my face. It reeks of hotel in Sayyida Zainab colony located
ing about war. “We are all victims”, he firepower and gives a feeling of mel- in the southern outskirts of Damascus.

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