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Damascus

The capital city of Syria, Damascus is one of the great historic cities of the Middle East and is considered one of the oldest, if not the oldest, capital in the world with a history going back thousands of years.

It has a rich history, having been an important city to many empires throughout time, and countless ruling dynasties have called the city home.

At one point, Damascus was renowned as an important cultural and economic center in the Middle East and historic buildings dotted the city.

However, in recent years, the city has fallen into drastic decline and lost much of its historic splendor due to the Syrian Civil War and the conflict with ISIS. 

Despite this, it still maintains an important role as the seat of power of the Syrian government.

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 Assad poster burns in Syria

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By REUTERS
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By REUTERS
 Syrian-born businessman Yahya Kirdi.

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 Fighters of the ruling Syrian body patrol the streets in Homs, Syria, December 26, 2024

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 An air traffic controller stands waiting for action.

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 Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends an interview with Reuters, in Brussels, Belgium April 4, 2025.

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 Jewish scouts in uniforms holding flags bearing the name Alliance Scouts of Damascus

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 A Syrian Alawite family rides on a truck to return home, in Latakia, Syria March 13, 2025.

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By REUTERS
 A child reacts during a demonstration marking the 14th anniversary of the start of the Syrian conflict, in Damascus, Syria March 15, 2025.

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 Aftermath of an Israeli strike in Damascus, Syria, March 13, 2025.

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 Assad poster burns in Syria

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By REUTERS
 Syrian Rabbi Yousef Hamra and accompanying Jews visit the Frenc and Raki churches, the Maimonides Jewish School and the Jobar Synagogue, which was largely destroyed during the civil war, in the historic districts of Damascus, Syria on February 18, 2025.

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By ANDREW LAPIN/JTA
 IDF soldiers operate on Mount Hermon, on the border between Israel and Syria, December 12, 2024

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