Muhib al Casim Hussein had to migrate from Binnec district, which is located near Turkey border, when he lost his job and his house was destroyed.
Muhib al Casim Hussein Abu Ragib: I migrated from Binnec district of Idlib province, Syria. I am 62 years old and I am a father of 5 children. I am retired from Municipality.
ORSAM: Could you tell us about your life before the civil war in Syria, what you went through during the civil war and the reasons why you came to Turkey?
Muhib al Casim Hussein Abu Ragib: After the retirement, a friend of mine Mustafa al Baqqar and I started to run a patisserie. As he is an artist and I know nothing about the job, we agreed that I would provide the capital and he would do the job; and we opened a patisserie where we sell desserts, seasoned ice-cream, mulberry syrup, palm syrup etc. We sold bagels and pastry in the mornings. We earned our living like this. I have 3 married daughters and their husbands are in central Idlib. On the other hand, my two sons are carpenter and they have an atelier.
When the civil war broke out, opposition groups started to stage a revolt in our area like in everywhere else. Some groups joined the Free Syrian Army (Jaish al-Hur), while some others joined Jaish al-Nars. They fought against the Regular Army and they collected money. Binnec district act in unison with opposition groups except for traitors and reporters. And the financial and moral support continued to be provided. The military airport was 3 km away from our location, and the aircrafts started to constantly take off and bomb us. The bazaar, mosque, collective settlements, bread and oil lines were all controlled and bombed by air. Many people were killed and a large number of settlements were destroyed. There are many people who could not be freed from the wreckage.
We could not open our patisserie anymore. The people migrated, purchasing power was on the decrease, and people started to fight for their living. People neither ate dessert nor drank beverage anymore. This civil war was a kind of destruction for tradesmen in every aspect. My sons also fought along with Jaish al-Hur. They have been providing support for those who came from outside the city, and they still carry on fighting.
I could only receive my retirement salary, but we could no more work and our house was destroyed. I had to migrate. There is a half-hour distance between Turkish border and Binnec district which is my hometown. One night, I brought my family along with me and came to the border. After waiting for a day in the border, I arrived in Turkey. My sons did not come, but I brought along their wives and my grandchildren over here. All of us stay here in a apartment. Those who fight within Jaish al-Hur in Syria receive 150 dollars in a month. My sons send their salaries to me for the household maintenance. This amount is enough for our house rent and our maintenance here. Syrians in Reyhanlı receive support from outside. Rich Arabs in Europe send units to the area, they detect the needs over here and provide food and accommodation services. I lead such a life.
* This interview was made by Feyyat Özyazar in Reyhanlı district of Hatay on 6 December 2012.
