The Review has chosen to open this issue with the voices ofresidents of Aleppo, Syria. Fighting in the city of Aleppo has stopped since thelast opposition fighters were evacuated from the eastern areas of the city inDecember 2016 as part of a deal, but war continues in the rest of Syria,including in large parts of Aleppo governorate. This section is meant to framethe academic discussion to follow in light of the realities faced by those wholive in cities at war.

The stories below were told to the International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) in Aleppo on 6 and 8 February 2017. These people agreed to share theirexperience with the ICRC so that others may understand what their lives arelike. Although they have suffered much, they still have hope for the future. Inorder to protect them and their families, only their first names will beused.