Shock In Damascus over 'Iron Cages' Set to Organize Breadlines

Arab World

October 29th, 12:59pm

London - Asharq Al-Awsat

A photo circulated by Syrian activists of iron cages outside bakeries in Damascus. AAAWSAT AR

State bakeries in Damascus resorted to establishing iron cages to organize the breadlines. The Syrian Director-General of the Damascus Bakeries refused to comment on the photo of the scene which has infuriated the Syrian people. Local radio station Al-Madina reported that Nael Asmander refused to confirm if the image was true or not. He only said that the method was the best way to separate individuals, adding that "the culture of waiting in line is not well respected in our country." Damascus set a precedent with its use of cages as it tries to find a solution to the overcrowding in bakeries because of bread's scarcity. In a failed attempt to solve the bread crisis that intensified in September, the Ministry of Internal Trade rationed bread distribution. Three loaves per day were allocated to every individual, a bundle (7 loaves of about 800 grams) to a family of two, and two bundles for a family of four. Bakeries were also banned from selling more than five percent of their bread to anyone except for those using the "smart cards." Two days ago, Prime Minister Hussein Arnous tried to "reassure" Syrians, saying that subsidized bread is still a "red line that will not be touched". Al-Watan Syrian newspaper reported Arnous as saying that Damascus had only bought wheat that is only sufficient to last for a month and a half. Syria has gone from a country with wheat sufficiency to one that imports wheat on mass, as wheat production went from around 4 million tons in 2011 to 1.5 million tons in 2019.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2593486/shock-damascus-over-iron-cages-set-organize-breadlines