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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Ryan Ramgobin

Syrian war: Children play games in the streets of Aleppo while bombs fall on surrounding neighbourhoods

The battle for control of Syria’s second city, Aleppo, has not abated despite Syrian government forces making gains in the past fortnight.

A report by International Committee of the Red Cross recently described the conflict as “beyond doubt one of the most devastating urban conflicts in modern times.”

This view is reflected by rescue workers on the ground.

Ismail Abdullah told Sky News that the city is the “most dangerous city all over the world.”

"Russian intervention changed the game and we have a lot of bombing targeting civil defence centres, targeting hospitals, targeting schools, targeting markets."

Zedoun al-Zoabi, the head of the Union of Syrian Relief Organisations, says children and adults alike are desensitised and don't feel anything now.

"Normal life means there is a jet fighter in the sky. Normal life says that there is an air strike. Normal life, there is no food. Normal life, there is no water. This is what is happening."

An estimated 11 million Syrians have fled since the outbreak of civil war in 2011.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 4.8 million have fled to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq, and 6.6 million are internally displaced within Syria.

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