In the countryside near Idlib, in Northern Syria, people are cutting their olive trees to heat their makeshift shelters.
In this area where that has produces olive oil for centuries — the earliest written mention of it was found in Ebla, Syria — this crop still represents one of the most important sources of livelihood. But with the cold winter coming, the fuel shortage and its high cost is pushing locals to cut their beloved trees.
The outbreak of revolution four years ago, and political instability condemned people from Idlib to suffer for the scarcity of just about everything they need. Moreover, the lack of security and speculation led to an increase in the price of fuel placing it out of the reach of the mostly unemployed locals. Although olive trees have both an economical and a sentimental value, they are forced to cut and use their wood to survive.
SEE ALSO: Olive Trees Face ‘Death by Saw’ in Greece
In Idlib, as reported by Aljazeera, some complain against the regime while others accuse rebel forces, but everyone is feeling great sorrow cutting the silent symbol of peace and prosperity in the Idlib countryside, a battlefield of a war that seems endless.
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