Aleppo residents work to save battle-scarred heritage buildings

Aleppo, Syria

IN THE rubble-strewn square outside Aleppo's ancient citadel and under the scorched vaults of its covered souk (market), workmen are starting to mend the destruction of a war that has shattered the Syrian city's priceless historical heritage.

About 20 volunteers sorted through the debris in Khan al-Gumruk, one of the souk's great medieval inns, piling up the stones from a fallen archway that can be used in its restoration. "I'm a son of this district. We're all from Aleppo, and our priority is to work here. We've been at it for a month in this area since the fighters left," said Mohannad Hassari, a bearded 25-year-old.

About 30 per cent of the Old City suffered "catastrophic" damage in the fighting that ended there in December, sai…