Reports | 25 05 2020
After he used to travel to Beirut and return to Damascus weekly, by virtue of his work in the trade, Ahmad became delaying his trip many times, because the road that used to cost little time and money before, has become burdensome, costly, and dangerous!
The road between Damascus and the Lebanese border changed a lot five years ago, because the Syrian regime barriers get several times in the road, imposing its authority. And causing high tension for Ahmad and others who want to go to Lebanon for any reason.
Marlboro checkpoints
On the way from Damascus to Lebanon, you pass on many military and security checkpoints affiliated with the Syrian Regime Army and the customs, five checkpoints are distributed the way out toward Lebanon, and other seven checkpoints begin after the entry to “Yaboos” region.
Any checkpoint can check all parts of the car, and have the authority to unzip the vehicle, and to open all the bags of all kinds!
Ahmed, a Cotton Wear dealer in Damascus, says: "Five years ago the road between Damascus and Beirut was short, from the city of Damascus to the border crossing with Lebanon there was 50 km, and requires no more than an ID card, two hours may be enough to pass the border, but it changed now."
According to Ahmed, that once he comes out of the Sumerian Garage in Damascus countryside, he faces the first checkpoint for the security of the regime, "this checkpoint is not a burden, it may be satisfied with a box of chocolate or some fruit juice, or Cigarettes (Lucky or Gauloises) and some whiskey, so we can pass without being verified by them" the man said.
What is the most difficult checkpoint for drivers? Ahmed answered: "It is the “Military Fourth Division” checkpoint, known by its own price (Marlboro Paquette or two), where the price of per box is nearly 2,000 Syrian pounds." This checkpoint is located between the Sumerian and Yaboos region.
Mobile customs patrol
The suffering is not only to the passengers, but also shared by the drivers who have also many stories of every trip. However, some drivers have their relationships with the regime soldiers, and they became familiar with the soldiers’ mood!
Abdul Hakim, a taxi driver working for the benefit of a dedicated Office of transfer passengers from Damascus to Beirut and vice versa, says to Rozana: "once we are finished from the fourth division checkpoint, and followed by customs’ checkpoint who are waiting for their share of (gifts), and of course they do not have a specific place but often they station near “Maysaloun”, and before the border with Lebanon and the third car is located at the junction of Lake Zarzar exist, here the driver should pay (500 LS)."
The customs checkpoint is easier, where its mission is to only make sure that the passengers do not hold any breach material, but if it is not so, they have different pricing and great difficulties.
Three military checkpoints
Before arriving at the Syrian-Lebanese border after the Sumerian checkpoint and the others, there are 3 military checkpoints, its mission is to check the arrivals and departures’ identities, besides, there are no traffic jams at these checkpoints, but still the 200 Syrian pounds for each checkpoint is something taken for granted.
Hassan, a university student in "Lebanese Jinan University" from the city of Deir Attiyah, said: "as a traveler I know that these checkpoints are not put in order to protect the passengers or to catch the terrorists or their trapped cars, because this road has not so far experienced any process of arms shipment coming from outside."
A large number of travelers confirm that most of the victims of these checkpoints are civilians, who either been suspected because of their physical appearance or according to their identity cards, particularly those who are from the opposition's strongholds.
The most dangerous barriers!
Travelers often get surprised when departing or arriving at the border point to seal their passports, where everyone will subject to a security check to their names, and it is completely different from the inside check.
Wael from Aleppo was arrested at a checkpoint while he was entering Lebanon in 2014 to be released after 6 months after his family paid nearly two million Syrian pounds.
He says: "Although I entered through the border after they check my name and everything was alright, but the checkpoint after the border arrested me and moved me to Mezze Prison, because of a report was written against me that I am a civil activist in my regions."