'Military Report on Iraq. Area 2 (Upper Euphrates)' [‎12r] (28/140)

gardens and welldit streets. There is one long main street,
which is fairly broad and contains a few good houses, including
the Government buildings, three khans and also the bazaar.
Fruit gardens exist both on the right and left banks and the
islands upstream of the town are fertile in the production of
tamarisk and willow, which are used for fuel. A bridge
consisting of country boats crosses the river in the centre of
the town (for description, see page 8).
Immediately upstream of the town on the right bank stands
the citadel which is on a high hill and in an excellent position
to command the surrounding country and the town.
Water .—Unlimited from the Euphrates.
Commerce and Supplies. —Dair-al-Zor is a town of consider
able commercial importance. It is the half-way house on the
Baghdad—Aleppo road, the Mosul—Aleppo road crosses the
Euphrates at this point, the downstream traflic from Birijik
has its distributing centre at Dair-al-Zor, and it is the market
town of the Khabur tribes.
Most of the inhabitants derive their income from the trade
routes which pass through the town, and are generally pros
perous. A little cultivation is carried out on the left bank,
where a small quantity of grain is grown, but the town itself
is entirely dependent upon purchasing from external sources,
although cultivation shows a tendency to increase.
The merchants of Dair-al-Zor purchase the supplies of grain,
vegetables, fruit and sheep brought in by caravans and down
stream river traffic, and after retaining a sufficient quantity for
the demand of the town, export the remainder downstream.
It is estimated that the approximate annual export of grain is
7,000 tons.
The bazaar is large and well stocked, Manchester cotton
goods, tinned food and fresh provisions being obtainable.
There is a large horse market in the town where thoroughbred
animals are brought by the tribesmen for sale.
Two salt pans exist, one on either bank of the river, but are
used for town consumption only.
Transport .—Approximately 1,500 donkeys 1,000 camels,
and 150 mules could be produced if necessary.
Grazing .—Depends on the rains. Usually unlimited, chiefly
on left bank.
Fuel .—Fuel is brought in large quantities from the upstream
islands, which are prolific in tamarisk and willow. Fuel is also
exported downstream.