Jeremy Bowen: A walk through Aleppo
- Published
The BBC's Jeremy Bowen walked through the streets of Aleppo from the Umayyad Mosque to city's 13th century Citadel. He said: "Before the war it was a favourite outing for Aleppo's people and their many visitors. On a cold day in winter, in the sixth year of the war, it was bleak and sad." These images were originally posted by Jeremy on Twitter @BowenBBC
A huge sign shows President Bashar al-Assad victorious at entrance to remains of the Umayyad Mosque
Our correspondent photographed civilians surveying the ruins of the Umayyad Mosque. "Minaret ruins on left. Built 1090. Destroyed 2013," he said
Remains of the destroyed minaret of the Umayyad Mosque, once one of the greatest monuments of the city
Inside the Umayyad Mosque candelabras still hang from the ceiling
Military fortifications are seen in an entrance to the mosque. "Damage here is tragic but some 500,000 deaths in Syria are much worse," our correspondent says.
An improvised side entrance to the mosque bears bullet holes. Jeremy Bowen says he presumes it was used as a safer short cut for rebel fighters.
Oil drums are used inside the mosque to block blast or bullets.
Despite the damage, an Aleppo man prays in the Umayyad Mosque.
Approaching Aleppo's Citadel. "Before the war this was a good place for a stroll," says our correspondent.
He says: "Aleppo's Citadel feels strangely timeless. There’s been a fortress here since 10th Century BC. Still formidable."
A poster of President Assad at the gates of the Aleppo Citadel. His forces' victory here puts the war into a new phase, our correspondent says.
Women pass the historic Citadel as they go about their daily lives.