Rebels’ Last Moments in War-Torn Aleppo

Government troops regained control over the key rebel city after months of heavy fighting

A general view shows Syrian pro-government forces walking in the ancient Umayyad mosque in the old city of Aleppo after they captured the area on Dec. 13, 2016. After weeks of heavy fighting, regime forces were poised to take full control of Aleppo, dealing the biggest blow to Syria's rebellion in more than five years of civil war. YOUSSEF KARWASHAN/AFP/Getty Images

BEIRUT—First came the distress calls from doctors in underground shelters and morgues. Then residents under relentless bombardment in the few remaining blocks under rebel control in Aleppo began posting emotional goodbyes on social media and in widely circulated messages.

They wanted to have the final say in the merciless civil war.

“There is a problem with this planet,” said Monther Etaky, a 28-year old graphic designer. “This planet doesn’t want people to live as free or to live as humans.”

The world’s view of the Syria conflict has been largely driven by YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook—making it one of the world’s most documented wars through amateur videos and coverage. This has given the activists a major role in chronicling the war, and in lobbying for the world’s response.

Syrians leave a rebel-held area of Aleppo towards the government-held side during an operation by Syrian government forces to retake the embattled city on Dec. 13, 2016. KARAM AL-MASRI/AFP/Getty Images