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1- When Raqqa was the capital of ISIS, the Syrian city was every day in the news.
But 2 yrs after ISIS lost Raqqa, it is largely forgotten now.
I went there this month. I saw small signs of recovery but it'll take ages to rebuild. Photo thread.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
@akhbar
But 2 yrs after ISIS lost Raqqa, it is largely forgotten now.
I went there this month. I saw small signs of recovery but it'll take ages to rebuild. Photo thread.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
@akhbar
2- Last time I visited Raqqa, it was during Coalition/SDF attack on ISIS in city.
Back then, lots of fighting, bombing &hardly any civilian. Now destruction still overwhelming but people return, rebuild lives around rubble like this snack bar Al Hadri.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
Back then, lots of fighting, bombing &hardly any civilian. Now destruction still overwhelming but people return, rebuild lives around rubble like this snack bar Al Hadri.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
3- The destruction in Raqqa is really overwhelming but at least some buildings have been renovated such as this hospital, the yellowish building in the middle with the cars infront of it.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
4- Although Raqqa hardly gets international support, everywhere you notice people trying to make the city a bit more livable.
Here workers are repairing the northern entrance of the city.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
Here workers are repairing the northern entrance of the city.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
5- A little boy sitting on a pavement between the rubble in Raqqa.
Some might say why don't you just leave such a ruined place? But to tens of thousands of Syrians, Raqqa is home. No other place to go to.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
Some might say why don't you just leave such a ruined place? But to tens of thousands of Syrians, Raqqa is home. No other place to go to.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
6- I was pretty surprised to see among all of Raqqa's destruction, suddenly a garbage truck with workers collecting trash.
I know it's a cliche but it's also very true: Life goes on.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
I know it's a cliche but it's also very true: Life goes on.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
7- Most think Raqqa is only desert and sand. Not true. The mighty Euphrates flows south of Raqqa.
Here everything is lush green & the water is also used in the city.
Pic taken of Euphrates river from a former ISIS HQ bombed by coalition planes.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
Here everything is lush green & the water is also used in the city.
Pic taken of Euphrates river from a former ISIS HQ bombed by coalition planes.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
8- What typically happens in Raqqa is this:
After returning, many found their properties destroyed. Hardly anybody has enough money to redo whole building.
So residents clear 1 room or repair the ground floor. This way they can live or start a business.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
After returning, many found their properties destroyed. Hardly anybody has enough money to redo whole building.
So residents clear 1 room or repair the ground floor. This way they can live or start a business.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
9- Just outside Raqqa, some people are still living in tents.
They are waiting for their houses to be repaired so they can go home.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
They are waiting for their houses to be repaired so they can go home.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
10- In an ISIS graveyard, first responders found on day of our visit 9 bodies. Nobody knows who they are.
A day before in the same ground, they found bodies of six men dressed in orange suits, hands tied behind their backs, executed by ISIS.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
A day before in the same ground, they found bodies of six men dressed in orange suits, hands tied behind their backs, executed by ISIS.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
12- At first site you think: A bit of water, nothing special.
But for Raqqa it is crucial that it's extensive system of canals has largely been repaired.
This way farmers in the area can grow crops, giving food, life & hope to the region.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
But for Raqqa it is crucial that it's extensive system of canals has largely been repaired.
This way farmers in the area can grow crops, giving food, life & hope to the region.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
13- Near to Raqqa's railway station, so much destruction. Where to start rebuilding?
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
14- As boys swim in the Euphrates river, a couple of children stand on the ruins of a bombed out building, which was in the past used by ISIS fighters.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
16- Many shops are actually open again in Raqqa and there is a souk/market.
Here some women & men out shopping.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
Here some women & men out shopping.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
17- Tough life. Workers take the metal out of collapsed concrete and sell it as scrap.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
18- A street scene in Raqqa.
Life is back but the city is still full of scars.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
Life is back but the city is still full of scars.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
19- While walking around, I suddenly noticed three beautiful white birds flying along the Euphrates river.
I'm not a bird specialist but it was nice to see some wild life.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
I'm not a bird specialist but it was nice to see some wild life.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
20- I hope u found this thread interesting. Raqqa has much more to offer but I wanted u to get a glimpse of life in the city now.
What I personally realised when I drove around is how quickly sth can be destroyed & how long it takes to rebuild again. Thank u for ur attention.
What I personally realised when I drove around is how quickly sth can be destroyed & how long it takes to rebuild again. Thank u for ur attention.
