20.01.2025 10:01
After the overthrow of the 61-year Baath regime, the ban on imported products in Syria has been lifted. With the new era, the kilometers-long queues formed by trucks heading from Hatay to Syria were captured in aerial footage. Although the increasing taxes on the Syrian side occasionally cause issues, the passage of vehicles continues.
After 13 years of civil war in Syria, the opposition forces ended the 61-year Baath regime. With the fall of Assad, imported products began to enter cities with high population rates, such as Aleppo, especially the capital Damascus.
LONG QUEUE CAPTURED FROM THE AIR
After many years, products from Turkey have started to reach every corner of Syria. The expansion of trade volume between Turkey and Syria has also reflected on the border gates in Hatay. The number of vehicles at the border gates has reached approximately 2,000. Although there are issues among traders due to increased taxes after the change of administration in Syria, vehicle queues at the border gates have extended for kilometers. The massive truck queues formed at the border gates were captured by drones from the air.
"BUSINESS IS OPENING UP"
Truck driver Abdulhamit Bingöl stated that there has been a noticeable increase in the number of vehicles crossing the border into Syria after the fall of the 61-year Baath regime, saying, "Before the war in Syria ended, we couldn't go because it was tight. There were many things and difficulties that Bashar Assad imposed on us; it was quite uncomfortable back then. Now, there is no problem. Currently, about 400 vehicles are passing, while before the war, only 150 vehicles were going. The end of the war has been very good for the Muslim world; now business is slowly opening up. We are going from here to Syria's Azaz, Afrin, and other regions. There was a protest here due to the increase in certain taxes imposed by the Syrian government. We are waiting because of the taxes," he said.
"NUMBER OF VEHICLES INCREASED"
Truck driver Yücel Keskincik expressed that the trade volume has increased and the number of vehicles crossing the border has risen with the fall of the Assad regime, saying, "I have been waiting here since Tuesday. Today is Saturday, and my turn won't come until Monday. We are crossing to the other side from the Cilvegözü border gate. The waiting of these vehicles here is causing a lot of trouble. We can't sleep at night. The situation is going very well with the end of the war; now crossings are better than before. I didn't used to wait in line here. We didn't wait in line for unloadings. Now, I have been waiting here since Tuesday," he stated.
"SECURITY ISSUE IS GREAT"
Truck driver Hüseyin Kızıldağ mentioned that traders are experiencing disagreements due to the new taxes imposed by the Syrian government, saying, "It has been better since the end of the war, but we are experiencing some difficulties. The increase in transition taxes by the Syrian government has slightly halted entries and exits. The security situation here is going great. We leave the car here and go. Our security is very well ensured. We have been waiting here for 6 days; they take us in order and we go. Previously, we used to cross in 3 days, but now due to the increase in taxes by the Syrian government, traders have taken a step back. That's why we are experiencing some problems," he expressed.