I am originally from Akkar, which is close to Syria in the north of Lebanon. What happens in Syria has always impacted Lebanon's politics. This was particularly the case during the civil war. In 1986 men from Jabal Mohsen attacked Bab al-Tabbaneh. Ever since then there has been fighting between both neighborhoods. The fighting here has been used by politicians to cause conflict and chaos, and the poor are the ones who pay the price. We lose our livelihoods, our families and our homes.

Syria Street is the mother street of Tripoli. In fact it used to be called the “Golden Gate” because it connects all areas of this region with each other: Akkar, Dennieh, Minieh, Koura, Zgharta. But after the clashes and fighting here, each area is self-sufficient and the life and business of Syria Street has declined.

The people of both Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen are kind. It is a melting pot of people from different Islamic sects and Syria and Lebanon. But many young men who cannot find a job carry weapons and fight in militias.

When the youth have jobs, either here or abroad, they will not have to fight. Syrian refugees have taken away some of the work opportunities here, but we need to reconstruct this area and employ the youth. It feels peaceful here now, but the clashes will spur back up if the politicians rekindle them. Syria Street has the potential to shine again, but we are all suffering from the same circumstances: no electricity, dirty water, poor sanitation. I hope that when my children run this shop they can live here in an atmosphere of tolerance.

Syria Street used to be called the “Golden Street” because it was buzzing with business. But due to violence all the major stores moved to other parts of Tripoli. You can still see the old signs, but the shops are empty and there is no life.

My husband used to have a nice car showroom on Syria Street. As the clashes worsened, customers who used to come from Beirut stopped coming out of fear. He eventually had to close down the shop, but we have seven children and quickly spent all our savings. My husband fell into depression and stayed at home, so I decided to leave the house and earn an income for the first time.

I began volunteering in the kitchen of a local NGO that provides education for kids from both Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen together. I passed the training course and was hired as a chef in their kitchen full-time. I work there now with many other ladies from both sides of Syria Street, which is so inspiring. Ten years ago, a woman working was considered taboo, the husband was the breadwinner. Now women in Bab al-Tabbaneh work more than men as we overcome taboos. I work hard and at the end of the week I get paid. That is my life now! Thank God.

Since I was 12 years old, I’ve never known peace between Jabal and Tabbaneh. My mother tells me about a time of peace here but I only vaguely remember going to Jabal as a kid and nothing more. Now I’m 20 years old and unfortunately I had to drop out of school because there was no bus and it was too dangerous to walk or even take a taxi.

I feel like Syria Street separates us from them. It may bring faces together, but not hearts. There is a kind of truce now that the Lebanese Army is here, but many people are still afraid that the clashes might erupt when they're not in the right area.

Jobs are rare because of the war and life is difficult, however when I go outside I am optimistic. I feel that Syria Street is getting better, slowly coming back to life.