Collapsed Bridge in Fallujah Cuts Residents Off from Essential Services

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – More than a year after the collapse of the vital Al-Asnini Bridge in Fallujah, thousands of residents continue to struggle to access healthcare services, particularly maternity and pediatric care, as authorities delay reconstruction.

The destruction of the bridge has turned what was once the city’s main artery into a major obstacle for daily movement, especially during emergencies. Patients and expectant mothers often face dangerous delays reaching the only specialized hospital for women and children, intensifying the suffering of families in Fallujah and its surrounding areas.

Mustafa Fazaa, a local resident, told Kurdistan24 that the situation has become unbearable. “When a patient arrives here, we see police stationed at the site blocking the road. As a result, the patient cannot reach the hospital, and transportation becomes extremely complicated,” he explained.

Civil activist Mohammed al-Dulaimi echoed the frustration, stressing that the community is left with no safe or reliable access to healthcare. “People here can barely reach the hospital, and as you know, there are numerous urgent medical cases, especially childbirth. We are appealing to the relevant authorities for a solution. This project is vital and must be prioritized for reconstruction, as most medical cases are treated in that hospital,” he said.

Residents have repeatedly demanded urgent action, warning that the lack of access to medical care is directly endangering lives. Jamal Mohammed, another Fallujah resident, voiced strong criticism: “We call on both the federal and local governments to immediately move forward with rebuilding this bridge. This project is far more important than others because it connects the city directly to the hospital. It is a humanitarian necessity.”

The collapse has also fueled widespread public anger at what locals describe as government neglect. Many accuse authorities of being preoccupied with secondary projects while leaving the bridge issue unresolved.

Officials, however, continue to cite budget shortages as the primary reason for the delay. Despite the growing calls for urgent reconstruction, funding has not been allocated, leaving the project suspended.

Residents argue that excuses are no longer acceptable, as the population of Fallujah—the largest city in Anbar province—has been steadily increasing, further straining already limited healthcare infrastructure.

For Fallujah’s families, the issue is not merely about infrastructure but about survival. The inability to reach hospitals in time during emergencies has turned daily life into a struggle. With each passing day, the pressure on authorities mounts as citizens insist that the reconstruction of the Al-Asnini Bridge must be treated as a top priority to restore a basic right: access to healthcare.