Al-Bab, Syria

Welcome to Al-Bab, a city located in the Aleppo Governorate of the Syrian Arab Republic. While the city has faced its fair share of challenges, it remains a fascinating destination for travelers seeking to explore the rich history and culture of the region. Al-Bab is situated 40 kilometers northeast of Aleppo and 30 kilometers south of the Turkish border, making it a strategic location for trade and commerce throughout history. The city has an area of 30 square kilometers and an altitude of 471 meters. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the population was 63,069 in 2004, but has surged to around 100,000 during the Syrian Civil War. Al-Bab’s name means ‘the door’ in Arabic, and it served as the gate between Aleppo and the adjacent town of Buzaah during Islamic rule. The city has a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire, and the ruins of the Roman settlement of Batnai can still be seen today. Al-Bab was conquered by the Arab army of the Rashidun Caliphate in the 7th century and was administered as part of the Eyalet of Aleppo until 1866. During the Syrian Civil War, the city was relatively unscathed until mid-2012 when rebel groups began to form within the city. After a series of raids and assaults on government offices, rebels seized the final government stronghold within the city limits on July 18, 2012. The city was later taken over by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in 2013. In December 2016, al-Bab came under attack by Syrian rebels backed by Turkey, and Turkish-backed rebels captured the city on February 23, 2017. Despite its tumultuous past, Al-Bab remains a city of great historical and cultural significance, and visitors can explore its many landmarks and attractions, including the Great Mosque of al-Bab, the tomb and shrine of Aqil ibn Abi Talib, and the markets filled with cotton products called kirbas. The city also has a cold semi-arid climate with hot dry summers and cool wet and occasionally snowy winters, making it a great destination to visit year-round. Come and discover the many wonders of Al-Bab for yourself!