Fighting rages on the outskirts of the Syrian capital, Damascus, but life carries on for residents in the city. Japhet Weeks, on assignment for VOA, took these photographs while accompanied by Syrian government officials.
Scenes from Damascus, Syria
9
Gray smoke rises over a neighborhood on the outskirts of Damascus, where fighting between government forces and rebels continues. Residents are learning to live with the sounds of distant explosions and gunfire. (J. Weeks/VOA)
10
A cobbler busy at work. (J. Weeks/VOA)
11
A man waits on the side of the street in a Damascus market with boxes full of goods. (J. Weeks/VOA)
12
A woman from Aleppo now lives in a government-run refugee center in a Damascus suburb. The center is now home to many refugees, many of whom are ethnic Turkmens. (J. Weeks/VOA)