Six-Month Project to Clear 550,000 Cubic Meters of Rubble in Northern Aleppo Countryside

Syria's Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, in coordination with the Aleppo Governorate, has officially launched a large-scale rubble removal project covering the northern Jabal Samaan and Afrin (Afrin/Azaz) districts of rural Aleppo. The inauguration was attended by Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh and Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Ghareeb, alongside local community representatives. Field operations commenced in the town of Andan within the northern Jabal Samaan district.

Project Scope and Objectives

The project is considered one of the largest debris clearance operations in the region, given the extensive destruction sustained by infrastructure during years of bombardment. It is scheduled to run for six months and targets the removal of approximately 550,000 cubic meters of rubble across more than 30 cities and towns within the two districts.

The estimated volume of debris in the northern Jabal Samaan district stands at approximately 460,000 cubic meters, while the Azaz district accounts for more than 88,000 cubic meters.

Targeted Towns and Villages

Towns targeted in the northern Jabal Samaan district include:

• al-Layramoun, Kafr Hamra, Hraytan, Andan, Hayyan, Bayanoun, Rityan
• Handarat, Bashkawi, Kafr Bassin, al-Tammourah, Maarat al-Artiq, Tall Musaybin

Towns targeted in the Azaz district include:

• Meng, Maranaz, Shawargha, al-Malkiyah, al-Alqamiyah, Harbal, Umm Hawsh
• Sheikh Hilal, Tall Jabeen, Mayer, Tall Rifaat, Kafr Khashir, al-Sheikh Issa, Hardatin, Maarasat al-Khan, Kafeen

Implementation Methodology and Recycling

The project will be executed in successive phases covering removal, transport, recycling, and reuse, with the possibility of launching additional phases as needed. A portion of the cleared debris will be recycled for use in agricultural road maintenance or the production of new building materials.

The project also provides a formal mechanism for private property owners wishing to have debris removed from their land, allowing them to submit an official request to have the work carried out within the project's regulatory framework.

Legislative and National Framework

The project forms part of the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management's national plan to accelerate recovery and facilitate the return of displaced residents to their communities. It is implemented under Decree No. 59 of 2026, issued by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on 10 March, which mandates the formation of a ministerial committee tasked with rehabilitating infrastructure in war-affected areas as a prerequisite for the return of residents.

Minister al-Saleh affirmed that debris clearance constitutes the first and most fundamental step in the recovery process, as it creates a safer environment for residents and paves the way for rebuilding essential infrastructure. He noted that the scope of work will extend to cover the northern, western, and southern Aleppo countryside as well as the city of Aleppo itself, to be followed by integrated infrastructure rehabilitation projects.