As president Bashar al-Assad’s regime tightens its grip on war-torn Syria, Sally Hayden reports from three government strongholds on life for ordinary citizens, who are seeking normality, even if rubble and memories are all they have left.
Scattered lives
The bombing sounds like thunder. It booms in the background as wealthy Damascenes sit in courtyards grazing on plates of mezze, continuing to chat. It sounds again as women push prams past shops in the souk, smiling at the perfumers and spice sellers hawking their wares. In the square outside, pigeons scatter as more bombs fall in the distance.
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