ALEPPO, Syria — Trade has been flourishing at Souq al-Hal, one of the most important markets in the opposition-held areas of northern Syria. At this market in al-Bab, in Aleppo province, crops and produce are imported and exported. Some even go to regime-held areas.
Crops produced in Syrian opposition areas and in Turkey are sold at the market, and many go to regime-held areas in Aleppo, Homs, Hama and Damascus. Crops also go from Souq al-Hal to areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Manbij and northeastern Syria. Souq al-Hal provides jobs for hundreds of people in the Turkish-occupied Euphrates Shield area and has revived trade there.