Selkin Municipality in rural İdlib launches inspection against road and sidewalk encroachments

A comprehensive urban arrangement and inspection campaign has been launched by the municipality in the town of Selkin, located in the İdlib province in northwestern Syria. Initiated on Wednesday, this effort aims to eliminate all illegal encroachments and paving on main and side streets as well as sidewalks. The local administration, aiming to improve the city's vision and elevate its aesthetic appearance to a modern level, also targets easing traffic flow. This extensive cleaning and arrangement work is seen as part of an official strategy planned to enhance the daily life quality of citizens. Municipal officials state that they aim to permanently remove the obstacles in front of pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the city center.

The primary objective of this operation conducted by municipal teams is to eliminate physical obstacles that hinder the passage of citizens and vehicles. Points where rules are exceeded by markets, shops, and street vendors are being meticulously identified and cleaned. It is explicitly stated by officials that necessary legal actions will be initiated against business owners who are encroaching or failing to comply with the rules. The municipality emphasizes that with these steps, they are not only performing a physical cleaning but also striving to ensure the supremacy of law and order in the city. Through this, shop owners are expected to comply with the rules and contribute to the overall order of the city.

Nizar Muhammed Et-Taha, serving as the Director of Municipal Police at Selkin Municipality, made important statements to the SANA reporter regarding the details of the operation. Et-Taha officially announced that these inspection and removal operations have commenced on all streets, neighborhoods, sidewalks, squares, markets, and parks. It was noted that prior to taking these strict measures, verbal, written, and social media warnings had been previously issued to those engaged in encroachments. The official added that all obstacles causing traffic congestion or restricting citizens' movement will be removed in coordination with relevant authorities. The message was delivered that no tolerance will be shown to those who continue their encroachments despite the warnings.

Yaser Ed-Deviş, Head of the municipality's Legal Affairs Department, also drew attention to the operation of the legal process in his evaluation on the matter. Et-Taha stated that municipal police reports will be drawn up for rule violators and that all current legislation and laws will be implemented to the fullest extent. Furthermore, calling on both residents and shop owners to voluntarily end these encroachments, he reminded them of the need to avoid potential legal sanctions. The official stated that the intense complaints conveyed by citizens to the municipality were among the biggest factors in launching this campaign. It was observed that the local administration exhibits a decisive stance in considering reports and resolving complaints.

This launched comprehensive cleaning and arrangement campaign has been welcomed with great satisfaction by the citizens living in the town of Selkin. Especially the removal of encroachments that virtually paralyze pedestrian and automobile traffic in commercial areas and marketplaces stood out as a significant demand from the public. While most local residents noted that this situation negatively affected daily life and trade, they described this step as a breath of fresh air. Citizens demand that the municipality maintains this continuity and that inspections regarding the issue continue in a strict, permanent, and uncompromising manner. Experts and residents believe that such permanent arrangements will beautify the city's vision and offer a much more livable and organized urban space for the local population.