Aleppo was Syria’s most populous city when the civil war arrived in July 2012, but the conflict has taken a huge toll, with Russian airstrikes since September 2015 causing intense devastation, as these before and after images show

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Photography then and now

Aleppo citadel Sandra Auger/Omar Sanadiki/Reuters

Aleppo’s citadel photographed on 9 August 2010 and 13 December 2016.



The entrance to the al-Zarab souk photographed on 24 November 2008 and 13 December 2016.

Old city Omar Sanadiki/Reuters

The old city photographed on 24 November 2008 and 13 December 2016.

Hamam El Nahasin Khalil Ashawi/Omar Sanadiki/Reuters

Hammam al-Nahasin bath house photographed on 6 October 2010 and 13 December 2016.

Umayyad mosque Omar Sanadiki/Reuters

Umayyad mosque photographed on 12 March 2009 and 13 December 2016.

Umayyad mosque Omar Sanadiki/Reuters

Umayyad mosque photographed on 12 March 2009 and 13 December 2016.

Umayyad mosque Khalil Ashawi/Omar Sanadiki/Reuters

Umayyad mosque photographed on 6 October 2010 and 17 December 2016.

The courtyard of al-Sheebani school photographed on 6 June 2009 and 17 December 2016.

Shahba mall Khalil Ashawi/Abdalrhman Ismail/Reuters

The Shahba Mall, one of the largest shopping centres in Syria, photographed on 12 December 2009 and 16 October 2014.