A large-scale campaign to remove rubble and earthen berms begun in Aleppo, marking a significant step toward recovery after years of destruction. The initiative brings together Civil Defense teams under the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, the Ministry of Defense, and the Aleppo governorate and city councils.
The joint operation aims to improve living conditions and create a safe environment for residents to return to their homes in an organized manner. Officials say clearing debris and securing affected areas remains essential to stabilizing neighborhoods heavily damaged during the conflict.
Initial Phase Targets Key Neighborhoods
The first phase focuses on Bani Zaid, Sakan al-Shababi, also known as Youth Housing, and the Lermon Factories area. Teams began with detailed inspections led by military engineering units, working alongside war remnants clearance specialists to ensure the sites are free of mines and unexploded ordnance before removal work proceeds.
The campaign is scheduled to span 10 days in its initial stage. Authorities estimate crews will remove about 150,000 cubic meters of debris, equivalent to roughly 259,000 tons. The effort forms part of a broader plan to address extensive destruction across the city.
Azzam al-Ghareb has previously stated that eastern neighborhoods alone contain about 3 million cubic meters of rubble. Those areas suffered the destruction of over 40% of homes and 60% of infrastructure, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing reconstruction.
Residents See Hope in Early Progress
For many displaced residents, the campaign signals a possible return after years away. Shadi Abdulhai, a former resident of Sakan al-Shababi, said his family fled in 2013 after heavy shelling destroyed their home and devastated the neighborhood’s infrastructure.
He described the start of official surveys and clearing work as a turning point, expressing hope that rebuilding efforts will make the area livable again. Abdulhai said the campaign offers renewed optimism for families seeking to return to their homes after prolonged displacement.
Parallel Projects Support Recovery Efforts
The rubble removal campaign aligns with ongoing recovery initiatives across Aleppo. Authorities have also worked to reopen roads and secure neighborhoods following law enforcement operations in areas such as Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh and Deir Hafer.
In parallel, a separate project funded by the Syrian Development Fund is underway to remove over 75,000 cubic meters of debris across 16 neighborhoods. These combined efforts aim to restore basic services, improve access for humanitarian assistance and support long-term stabilization. As work continues, officials emphasize clearing debris remains a critical step toward rebuilding communities and enabling the safe, gradual return of residents to Aleppo’s hardest-hit districts.
