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Syrians suffer as crossings remain closed, and smuggling operations become pricey

Smuggling operations between the areas under the control of the Turkish-allied factions and those under the control of the Syrian regime have been ongoing since the main crossings were closed in March as part of measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
A boy enters a tent at the Batinta camp for the internally displaced, after heavy rainfall in the north of Syria's northwestern Idlib province, on November 26, 2020. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)

IDLIB, Syria — Despite the Syrian opposition government’s March decision to close the crossings between the regime-controlled areas and the opposition areas, for fear of the outbreak of the coronavirus, smuggling operations are ongoing.

Locals told Al-Monitor that the smuggling points are located at the Sajur River, near Jarablus, and specifically at the villages of Aoun al-Dadat and Tokhar.

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