January 31 – War-torn Aleppo has witnessed its first live game in five years as Al-Ittihad beat city rivals Hurriya 2-1, their first match on home turf since the start of the fighting.
There has been no professional football in Aleppo since the bitter conflict between Syrian forces and rebel factions but last Saturday saw the sport return following the government’s victory in regaining complete control of the city.
More than 30,000 people were killed during the civil war battle in what was once Syria’s biggest city. But football became a tool for peace as fans waved flags in what, according to the BBC, was a cordial atmosphere, the only hint of the division that plagued the city being a prominent banner in the stands showing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and police in riot gear standing on the sidelines.
“I can’t tell you how it feels to return to the pitch (in Aleppo) after five years,” Ittihad player Omar Hamidi told reporters before the game. “It’s indescribable. My heart’s beating so fast.”
Maher Khayata, deputy head of the general sports union, this week said the game was “a first step towards Aleppo clubs returning to play on home ground, waiting for pitches to be ready.”
No further games have so far been scheduled in Aleppo. The league is now entering its seventh round of fixtures.
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