‘Sobering reality’: Smuggled bottles and empty shelves mark Syria’s alcohol crackdown

Qamishli, Syria - Alcohol supplies have become scarce and prices have skyrocketed in the Kurdish-majority city following a crackdown by Islamist authorities. Ayaz Ibrahim, a local shop owner, lamented the rise in alcohol prices, saying that customers are now paying up to $12 for a half-liter of whisky, a significant increase from the previous $7 price.

This hike has left many shelves empty as the demand for smuggled alcohol has surged. The Islamist authorities, who took control of the Semalka border crossing with Iraq in April, have imposed hefty taxes and stricter rules on alcohol consumption, despite not officially prohibiting its import. While Islam forbids alcohol consumption, Syria's Muslim-Kurdish community is generally liberal on the matter.

The new tax regime, aimed at limiting unhealthy consumption and generating revenue for health and social security programs, has been met with widespread discontent. Bars and shops across Qamishli report a sharp decline in business, with patrons opting to drink less frequently or altogether. Despite the authorities' efforts to limit alcohol sales, the community continues to grapple with the financial strain imposed by the new regulations.