Resident of Shuhada Al-Sydia demand the removal of concrete barriers

BAGHDAD — Residents of Shuhada al-Sydia, a neighborhood in southwestern Baghdad, are voicing their frustration over the continued presence of concrete barriers that isolate their area from the Dora Expressway. They argue that the security need for these barriers no longer exists and are calling for their removal, similar to other areas in southern and southwestern Baghdad.

The barriers, which extend along the entrances to Shuhada al-Sydia from the Dora Expressway, were installed during periods of security tension in 2006. Despite the improved security situation, these barriers have not been removed.

Since 2017, authorities have gradually removed barriers from most areas of the capital, but the entrances to Shuhada al-Sydia remain obstructed.

“The area suffers from the continued presence of the barriers on the streets overlooking the Dora Expressway,” Abu Ahmed Al-Tamimi, a local resident, told 964media. “We do not know why they have not been removed yet, even though all the barriers that isolated the neighboring areas have been completely removed.”

“Security tensions ended years ago, and Baghdad is safe. We don’t understand why this area is excluded from the campaigns to open roads. Is this area forgotten?” he added.

Hassan Abdul Sattar, another local resident, expressed similar concerns. “Trash accumulates around the barriers, and it has become very difficult to remove it without removing the barriers entirely,” he told 964media.

“These barriers isolate the area and hide it from the expressway. There is currently no justification for keeping all these barriers in the streets. The security situation has stabilized, and there is no threat either to the area or from within the area to the outside,” he added.