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
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_xlT7aX4AAXcTl.jpg)
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…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_xpjo3XoAIt_UI.jpg)
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_xrMcWX4AEICBY.jpg)
Here workers are repairing the northern entrance of the city.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_xsfhrXYAAFdkw.jpg)
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…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_xt7vpXUAAy5fI.jpg)
I know it's a cliche but it's also very true: Life goes on.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_xwkLHWwAAca7a.jpg)
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…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_xzCwqXUAAq83Q.jpg)
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…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_x1PpqWkAEwV-l.jpg)
They are waiting for their houses to be repaired so they can go home.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_x24LpWwAIXrH4.jpg)
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…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_x6n1IXUAI-L72.jpg)
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…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_x8ohUWwAY1pbb.jpg)
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_x9M6nWkAgI5vR.jpg)
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_x-ZRgXYAEm38E.jpg)
Here some women & men out shopping.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_yCjfdWwAI8fwx.jpg)
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_yDLoKXsAAcmy5.jpg)
Life is back but the city is still full of scars.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_yDi5wWkAAHSds.jpg)
I'm not a bird specialist but it was nice to see some wild life.
akhbaralaan.net/news/arab-worl…
![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D_yEbURW4AYENIx.jpg)
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.