This is the scene at Jisr Al Shughur few days back as its residents flee fearing an imminent crackdown by government forces.
The area shown is near the market. I recall the place used to be bustling during day time. Now it is eerily deserted. I hope my local friends are all safe and hopefully survive the dark days ahead. May it all end well in the end.
I have never expected Jisr Al Shughur will ever make it into the headlines. It is after all a small, quiet and peaceful town. It's residents used to just mind their own business undisturbed by what is going on in the fast-changing world. In a town without banks, and only with dial-up internet connection, the people were disconnected from development. It's pride was probably from the fact that Jisr is probably an important agricultural hub of Syria. That is thanks to the fertile land of the Orontes valley where wheat is planted. The vegetable, fruits, lambs and poultry can't get any fresher than in Jisr. I would guess that probably much of Syria's famed "kubus" depended on the wheat harvest in Jisr every summer. Unfortunately, the peace and slow pace of life took an abrupt turn this year. Now, with the city deserted and becoming a ghost town, the wheat field raging in fire and people fleeing to nearby Turkey, the future of the people here is bleak.
An impending massacre seems to be on its way. With friends and acquaintances I've made in the small town during my short stint there, can't help but worry about their well-being. Pray that peace would be restored ASAP and life can return to normal.
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