Restoration of souks brings old Aleppo city to life

ALEPPO, Syria - The immense devastation in the ancient marketplace of Aleppo gives off a sense of despair and bleakness to strangers. But for the people of Aleppo, gone are the days of wallowing in misery as they have rolled up their sleeves and started picking up the pieces and getting back on their feet.

Damage in the formerly rebelheld eastern part of Aleppo city in northern Syria is immense but the devastation there and the difficulties created by Western sanctions on Syria have not discouraged the local people from rebuilding their homes with their own hands.

Some marketplaces and squares in eastern Aleppo have seen small-scale restoration since the city was fully returned to government control in late 2016.