After the death of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, fear has gripped all of Lebanon. Israeli bombing of Hezbollah's headquarters in Beirut has further escalated tensions in the Middle East. Local residents are being forced to flee, with most heading to Syria. A large number of women and children are crossing the Syrian border. However, to live in Syria and cover any expenses, having local currency is essential. Today, we bring you an eyewitness account from the Syrian border by our correspondent Ashraf Wani, who reported on currency exchange issues at the border.
Syrian currency is cheaper than that of Lebanon. People traveling from Lebanon to Syria are exchanging currency at the border. They are not facing significant difficulties in doing so; as soon as they show their identification documents, they receive assistance with currency exchange. Whether Syrians come to Lebanon or Lebanese people go to Syria, people on both sides are exchanging currency, making local marketing easier. Considering Syria a safer place, a large number of people are migrating.
There are speculations about the possible involvement of Iran and the USA in this conflict, while Israel continues to bomb Hezbollah's positions in Beirut and other areas. Following Nasrallah's death, Hezbollah has declared war against Israel. In the past three days, more than 100,000 people have crossed the Lebanon-Syrian border amidst the ongoing war.
Is there no safe haven in Lebanon?
Among those crossing the Lebanon-Syrian border are not just Lebanese residents, but also refugees who had come to Lebanon during the Syrian war, now returning to their homeland. They know that this is a war against Israel and believe that there is no safe place left in Lebanon. The Assad regime in Lebanon has always supported Hezbollah and its fighters. During the Syrian war, Hezbollah not only helped Bashar al-Assad but also ensured his return to power, thus saving his government. Now, the regime seems to be repaying Hezbollah for its support during the difficult times.
