Aleppo:Syria has reopened the historic Great Umayyad Mosque in Aleppo after a 13-year closure due to damage sustained during the country's civil war.

According to Anadolu Agency, Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib attended the reopening ceremony, which was covered by state-run Alikhbariah TV. He expressed honor in reopening the mosque, which had faced destruction over the years, and highlighted its historical significance as a center of learning and religious life.

The mosque, dating back to the early eighth century Umayyad era and attributed to Caliph Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik, played a notable role during the Syrian uprising that began in March 2011. Demonstrations against the former regime emerged from the site, and it became a focal point of conflict between regime forces and opposition factions from 2012 to 2016.

The mosque suffered extensive damage, including to its dome, arcades, and historic minaret, leading to its closure in 2013. Restoration efforts by Aleppo's Endowments Directorate began after the fall of the Bashar Assad regime on December 8, 2024, aiming to preserve the mosque's architectural and historical integrity. The Great Umayyad Mosque remains one of Syria's oldest and most significant mosques.