Internet Desk: Battle-scarred Aleppo normalized into football life for a few hours on Saturday as famous clubs Al Ittihad and Horiyah met for the first derby clash in the city for five years.
The remembrance of bomb damage was evident around the Ri’ayat al-Shabab stadium but a huge turn out under tight security to watch a lively game won 2-1 by six-time Syrian title winners Al Ittihad left a fresh air among the fans.
Everyday life, let alone sport, has been almost impossible in the city which has been ripped apart during five years of violence across the country. For months it was besieged by Syrian government forces and Russian-backed airstrikes.
Last month the army re-took Aleppo’s eastern neighbourhoods from rebel groups, regaining control of the whole city.
Horiyah player Firas al-Ahmad said that despite the ongoing problems in the city it was good to be home.
He said: ‘We are playing on our ground between our audiences in Aleppo. We suffered from the difficulties of travelling which affected us.
Last month the army re-took Aleppo’s eastern neighbourhoods from rebel groups, regaining control of the whole city.
Horiyah player Firas al-Ahmad said that despite the ongoing problems in the city it was good to be home.
He said: ‘We are playing on our ground between our audiences in Aleppo. We suffered from the difficulties of travelling which affected us.