Photos show filming of Ramadan TV drama series on the war-scarred streets of Syria's Aleppo

ALEPPO, Syria (AP) — Ramadan in the Arab world is a month of fasting and prayer by day — and television by night. For decades, families have gathered after the iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daytime fast, to follow the season’s highly anticipated drama series, produced specially to air during the Islamic holy month.

In the week before Ramadan, a television crew in central Aleppo was busy preparing one of those productions, with a battered street in the historic city transformed into a scene from decades past.

Classic 1970s cars lined the curb. A horse-drawn cart rolled through the frame. A vendor in a red tarboush, a brimless cone-shaped hat, stood beside steaming pots of sahlep — a sweet, thickened milk drink flavored with spices and associated with winter evenings.

Just outside the camera’s view stood a stark reminder of Syria's more recent history. Collapsed buildings and damaged facades testified to Aleppo’s role as a major battleground during the country's civil war. However, with costumes, props and careful framing, the production temporarily carried the street back to what it portrays as a more innocent era.

The series being filmed — “Al-Souriyoun al-Aada,” or “The Syrian Enemies” — is based on a novel that was banned during the rule of former President Bashar Assad. The story examines painful chapters of Syria’s past, including the 1982 events in Hama, when government forces crushed an uprising led by the Muslim Brotherhood, killing or disappearing an estimated 10,000 to 40,000 people and leaving the city in ruins.

As filming continues into Ramadan, the production reflects both a cherished seasonal tradition and Syria’s complex, layered history.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

A television crew films an episode of the TV series "Al-Souriyoun al-Aada" ("The Syrian Enemies"), based on a novel of the same name that was banned under Bashar Assad, along a transformed street in central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.(AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

Rita Nasra, an extra in the series, poses for a photograph during the filming of an episode of the TV series "Al-Souriyoun al-Aada" ("The Syrian Enemies"), based on a novel of the same name that was banned under Bashar Assad, along a transformed street in central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

A television crew films an episode of the TV series "Al-Souriyoun al-Aada" ("The Syrian Enemies"), based on a novel of the same name that was banned under Bashar Assad, along a transformed street in central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.(AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

A television crew films an episode of the TV series "Al-Souriyoun al-Aada" ("The Syrian Enemies"), based on a novel of the same name that was banned under Bashar Assad, in central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.(AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

A television crew films an episode of the TV series "Al-Souriyoun al-Aada" ("The Syrian Enemies"), based on a novel of the same name that was banned under Bashar Assad, along a transformed street in central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.(AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

Director Al Layth Hajjo, center right, gives instructions to actor Wissam Rida, center, while filming an episode of the TV series "Al-Souriyoun al-Aada" ("The Syrian Enemies"), based on a novel of the same name that was banned under Bashar Assad, in central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

Actor Wissam Rida has his hair adjusted as he prepares to film a scene during the shooting of an episode of the TV series "Al-Souriyoun al-Aada" ("The Syrian Enemies"), based on a novel of the same name that was banned under Bashar Assad, in central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

Equipment used by a television crew filming an episode of the TV series "Al-Souriyoun al-Aada" ("The Syrian Enemies"), based on a novel of the same name that was banned under Bashar Assad, sits in a war-damaged area of central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

A television crew films an episode of the TV series "Al-Souriyoun al-Aada" ("The Syrian Enemies"), based on a novel of the same name that was banned under Bashar Assad, along a transformed street in central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

A television crew films an episode of the TV series "Al-Souriyoun al-Aada" ("The Syrian Enemies"), based on a novel of the same name that was banned under Bashar Assad, along a transformed street in central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.(AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

Lamees Al-Ali, an extra in the series, poses for a photograph during the filming of an episode of the TV series "Al-Souriyoun al-Aada" ("The Syrian Enemies"), based on a novel of the same name that was banned under Bashar Assad, along a transformed street in central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

Extras stand by as a television crew films an episode of the TV series "Al-Souriyoun al-Aada" ("The Syrian Enemies"), based on a novel of the same name that was banned under Bashar Assad, along a transformed street in central Aleppo, Syria, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

Anti-discrimination campaigners bemoaned an “appalling weekend” in the Premier League after four players were targeted with racial abuse on their social media accounts following games.

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri shared images of racist messages they were sent privately over Instagram following their teams’ match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday that finished 1-1.

Wolverhampton striker Tolu Arokodare showed racially aggravated messages he received on Instagram after a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace on Sunday, during which he had a penalty saved.

Sunderland said its winger, Romaine Mundle, was also subjected to “vile online racist abuse” after his substitute appearance in a 3-1 home loss to Fulham.

Kick It Out, a British-based anti-discrimination charity, repeated its calls for platforms to do more to address the problem.

“This has been an appalling weekend after four players called out the racist abuse they’ve received on social media. But the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly,” the organization said.

“The message from them is loud and clear: action must follow. Players cannot be expected to tolerate this behavior, and nor should anyone else.”

The UK Football Policing Unit said Monday it received four separate reports of abuse toward top-flight players over the last three days.

“There is absolutely no place for racial abuse, either online or in person, and anyone who believes they can hide behind their keyboards should think again,” said chief constable Mark Roberts, who heads the unit.

“The UKFPU condemns this abhorrent behavior and we will ensure that, through our dedicated team of officers, we do everything possible to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”

The Premier League also condemned the abuse of the players.

“There are serious consequences for anybody found guilty of discrimination and we will offer our full support with their investigations,” the competition said. “Football is for everyone — there is no room for racism.”

The 22-year-old Mundle has since deleted his Instagram account, the Sunderland Echo newspaper reported.

The incidents came days after UEFA began an investigation into claims by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior that he was racially abused on the field by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League game in Lisbon.

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Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri, left, and Mansfield Town's Luke Bolton during the English FA Cup fourth round soccer match between Burnley and Mansfield Town in Burnley, England, Saturday Feb. 14, 2026. (Richard Sellers/PA via AP)