Aleppo's residents wait in fear for Assad reprisal

A billboard of the Syrian president that once overlooked a central square in Aleppo has been burnt almost beyond recognition, but the influence of Bashar al-Assad is still felt in the now rebel-held city as residents live in fear of bombardment by his regime.

- Ruth Michaelson

"The biggest fear, one shared by all the people of Aleppo right now, is the airstrikes," said Mahmoud, a 50-year-old man who declined to share his family name, concerned that Assad could regain control of the city and punish critics as he did eight years ago.

Damascus, backed by the Russian military, has pummelled neighbourhoods across central Aleppo and neighbouring Idlib with airstrikes since insurgents seized control of Syria's second city last weekend while army forces retreated south.

Two days ago, Mahmoud heard a strike hit in his neighbourhood close to the entrance of Aleppo university hospital. The next day, a wave of airstrikes struck five healthcare facilities in Idlib and a camp for the displaced, killing at least 18 people, and more strikes targeted central Aleppo. Yesterday afternoon, a strike hit a rural area to the city's south-east, injuring four.

Mahmoud said he was now avoiding filling up his car at the few petrol stations in Aleppo that still have fuel, fearing that the long lines of cars could be a target. "We've seen this before," he said. "We know this regime doesn't care about people's lives."