Syria: Battle of Hama

Evidence of fierce combat

For weeks, stories had reported that the ancient Syrian city of Hama had been severely damaged last month in a showdown between the radical Muslim Brotherhood and government troops loyal to President Hafez Assad. But the international press was never allowed near the city to view the destruction. Now, in these exclusive photographs obtained by TIME, the dimensions of the devastation are documented for the first time. Some areas, notably the old quarter and the Grand Mosque of Hama, were completely obliterated. High-rise apartment complexes were pocked with gaping holes, convincing evidence of the heavy weaponry...

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