Syrian Fans Cheer The Return Of Football To Aleppo
Syrians in Aleppo cheered as they watched their first live football match in years, bringing a semblance of normality to the city after years of war.
Al-Ittihad defeated Hurriya 2-1 in the first match on the turf since 2012, when rebels took east Aleppo, dividing the city into a government-controlled western portion and a rebel-held east.
Last month, the Syrian army captured Aleppo's east from the rebels.
A large crowd gathered amid bomb damage around the Riayat al-Shabab stadium as police in full riot gear stood nearby.
Al-Ittihad and Hurriya had only played games in other Syrian cities since 2012.
Last month, a National Football Federation official said Syria League games also would be returning to the cities of Homs and Hama after they were deemed safe.
