This Is Syria's Third Largest City

Homs, formerly Syria's third-largest city, is now a concrete wasteland after three years of war — including a two years of siege by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The last of the rebel fighters, some of whom were among the first to take up arms against Assad's regime, left the last opposition-held enclaves last week in a negotiated deal.

Considered the capital of Syria's revolution after being one of the first places to hold large demonstrations in March 2011, Homs is now an urban graveyard.

Here are a few photos from throughout the war that show how a blockade and merciless bombardment from Assad's warplanes pounded Homs into submission:

SEE ALSO: This Haunting Photo Of A Stunned Syrian Girl Embodies Assad's Strategy

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