-[SPEAKING ARABIC]
ROBERT KING: On October 13, 2012, Aleppo's Umayyad Mosque,
a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest mosques
in the world, suffered extensive fire and structural
damage during fierce fighting between Bashar al-Assad's
forces and the Free Syrian Army.
At the time this footage was shot, the Free Syrian Army was
in control of the mosque.
However, Assad's forces continue to closely monitor
their opponent's movements, and the tides
could turn in an instant.
-[SPEAKING ARABIC]
ROBERT KING: While the majority of Assad's forces are
Shiites, the FSA is composed of mostly Sunnis.
President al-Assad publicly committed to restore the
mosque following the destruction.
However, on April 25, 2013, the mosque's minaret was
destroyed in yet another battle.
-[SPEAKING ARABIC]
ROBERT KING: Several members of the FSA and the Islamic
Council made damning allegations
against the Assad army.
They accused the regime of allegedly
harming women and children.
-[SPEAKING ARABIC]
ROBERT KING: When you heard that Assad destroyed the
minaret of the Grand Mosque, did that upset you?
-[SPEAKING ARABIC]
[CHANTING]