AN Islander currently travelling through the Middle East has recounted hearing warplanes and missiles being intercepted – and has seen the charred remains of an Iranian missile that was brought down outside the Syrian capital of Damascus.
The 25-year-old, who asked not to be identified, left Jersey at the end of 2023 to travel and work overseas.
This year, she has journeyed through East Africa and then Egypt, Jordan and Syria, which she entered at the end of last month.
“This trip was motivated by my travels last year to Africa and the Middle East, especially from my experience solo travelling around federal Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan,” she said.
Then, last weekend, Israel and the United States started their aerial attacks on Iran, prompting Iran to send missiles and drones into several countries in the region. Iranian proxy Hezbollah has also attacked Israel from Lebanon.
The Islander said: “While in Syria, I have heard warplanes going over, as well as multiple explosions and missiles being intercepted, likely by Israel in the southern part of Syria and regions just outside Damascus. On Tuesday, I was shown a missile which had come down north of Damascus.”
She added: “Life In Damascus and surrounding villages seem to very much be continuing as usual for this period; some areas have shops closed during the day, but this is due to Ramadan rather than security reasons.
“At night after Iftar [the fast-breaking evening meal of the day], the streets, restaurants, and markets come to life again. The Christian areas are continuously busy, including the bars and cafes thought the day and night. All across the city, attractions are open as usual and public transport is running, including national busses.
“The mood here is pretty relaxed about the situation, and Syrians seem hopeful that the conflict will have limited overspill into the country.
“This hopeful attitude and reassurances of the safety situation in Syria are slightly difficult to accept by us travellers in the region, considering our perceptions of safety are different to those of local people, who have lived throughout the brutal Assad regime and witnessed extreme rebel conflicts.”
She continued: “Syrians have been extremely friendly and welcoming, I have not felt unsafe during my time here, although I do feel uneasy when hearing the missiles and explosions overhead.
“Although there is a feeling of uncertainty, people have really gone out their way to help us travellers who remain in the country. Prior to arriving, a friend connected me to their family here in Syria, who have treated me like their own, and have invited me into their home for Iftar celebrations.
“Other travellers in the country – and wider Middle East regions – are staying connected via social media messaging groups and are providing support and live information about borders, airports, and moving around the region. Syrian airports remain closed including Damascus and Aleppo.
“I plan to move imminently; I am keeping a close eye on the situation and following guidance provided. I will leave Syria through Jordan, flying out to be reunited with my friend, who is currently in Italy, to continue our travels. The original plan was to meet in Lebanon, which is no longer possible now.”
