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Syria: Tiny Arwad island escapes war, caught in economic quagmire

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The Syrian island of Arwad managed to remain unscathed from the physical effects of the country's nine-year war, but has been facing economic hardships due to a drop in tourism ascribed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A small number of tourists was seen enjoying a boat ride on Sunday.

"We've been living in a war situation for 10 years, thank God we did not suffer from it, but since the start of this year, until now, since the coronavirus hit, it's null, nothing, no tourists, schools, everything was affected," said shop worker Abu Hani.

Located 3 km (1.8 miles) off the coast of the north-western Syrian city of Tartus, Arwad was first settled by the Phoenicians in the early second millennium BC. Its economy relies on fishing, tourism and boat-making.

About 10,000 people live on the island, with their daily needs satisfied by boats that bring all food and supplies from Tartus.

*SOUNDBITES*

SOT, Boat worker (Arabic): "I got seriously affected during this period, because the route [sea transport] was interrupted and no one was moving, everyday starting from 12 p.m. until the next day there is no movement, but during the war no, it was normal, people were coming and going but the coronavirus period seriously affected us."

SOT, Abu Hani, Shop worker (Arabic): "We've been living in a war situation [in Syria] for 10 years, thank God we [residents of Arwad] did not suffer from it, but since the start of this year, until now, since the coronavirus hit, its null, nothing, no tourists, schools, everything was affected, only during this year, for nine years thank god Arwad island was standing on its feet and all was fine. But this year, all prices went up, meat is more expensive, rice is more expensive, flour is more expensive."

SOT, Mohamad Abdullatif Salem, Pharmacist (Arabic): "Arwad is considered a remote area, due to its geographical location as an island, it did not get affected but the war situation in mainland Syria during the past 10 years, no fighting took place in here, the area is very distant from the problems that hit the country. However the coronavirus pandemic did affect the living conditions on the island because of the lockdown, curfew and the decreasing number of tourists, and the bad economical situation that the country is suffering from."

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