In pictures: Aleppo before and after the war

After government forces took over Aleppo, Syria's largest city was turned into a battlefield. In efforts to expel rebels, millions of residents were driven out, thousands were killed and the urban landscape changed drastically. Following ceasefire at the end of last year, we take a look at heartbreaking images of the ancient city before and after the war.

The Old City of Aleppo, before the war, on November 24, 2008. PHOTO: REUTERS

An overview of the war-damaged Old City of Aleppo on December 13, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Aleppo's historic citadel before the war, on August 9, 2010. PHOTO: REUTERS

Aleppo's historic citadel after it was damaged, on December 13, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

A combination picture shows Aleppo's Umayyad mosque in Syria before it was damaged (left), on October 6, 2010, and after it was damaged (right) during the Syrian Civil War, on December 17, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Aleppo's Umayyad mosque, photographed before the war, on March 12, 2009. PHOTO: REUTERS

Aleppo's Umayyad mosque, after it was damaged, on December 13, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

The entrance to al-Zarab souk in the Old city of Aleppo, on December 13, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

The entrance to al-Zarab souk in the Old city of Aleppo, on December 13, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Hamam El Nahasin, a historic public bath in the Old City of Aleppo, before the war, on October 6, 2010. PHOTO: REUTERS

The interior of Hamam El Nahasin on December 17, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

A combination picture shows Shahba Mall, one of the largest commercial shopping centres in Syria, before the war, on December 12, 2009 (left) and after it was damaged (right) on October 16, 2014. PHOTO: REUTERS

Aleppo's Umayyad mosque, before the war, on March 12, 2009. PHOTO: REUTERS

Aleppo's Umayyad mosque after it was damaged, on December 13, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

People attend a music concert at the the al-Shibani school before the war. PHOTO: REUTERS

The al-Shibani church school is damaged now. PHOTO: REUTERS