Effects of Syrian war – Zabadani, once a famous resort, now in ruins

Zabadani situated in the hills between Damascus and the Lebanese border, was once one of Syria's best-known resorts and was particularly popular with Gulf holiday-makers. The cool summer air and stone houses have now been reduced to ruins. Same for the nearby Christian village of Bloudan which was Syria's best-known skiing center – easily accessible from the capital which was just 30 miles away.
However, these beautiful spots are now in ruins and have turned into ghost towns as reported in nzherald.co.nz dated 27 July 2015.

Besieged, bombarded by regime jets and turned into a defensive nest by the Islamist rebels, Zabadani has become the latest victim of Syria's endless war and it can never regain its former glory and bring the tourists back.
As per information of the monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights nearly 600 barrel bombs had landed on the town since the start of the army's operation at the beginning of the month.
Locals lament that Zabadani was the number one place in Syria for Gulf tourists. They would arrive in summer and rent accommodation. There would be no vacancy. The restaurants and cafés did wonderful business. All that is now history.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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