The remains of Qusayr
Middleeast

The remains of Qusayr

Updated 0803 GMT (1603 HKT) June 20, 2013
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Qusayr is a ghost town these days. There isn't very much to salvage after a major government offensive ousted rebels from this place, which is strategically located near the border with Lebanon and the main highway connecting Damascus to Syria's coast and to northern cities like Aleppo. Here, some people have come back to clean up the debris after the fighting. Frederick Pleitgen/CNN
Driving through town, there wasn't a single building left unscathed. The historic mosque took several direct hits during the fighting. Frederick Pleitgen/CNN
The mosque's minaret has a gaping hole after being hit by a shell. Frederick Pleitgen/CNN
The city's only church was badly damaged by the fighting. Some of the icons and paintings inside were also defaced -- the Syrian army blames Islamist rebels. Frederick Pleitgen/CNN
The iconic clock tower in the city's central square was also destroyed. Frederick Pleitgen/CNN
A destroyed house is pictured in the old town, where many of the buildings have been reduced to rubble. Some people scavenged through the debris to find anything of value. Frederick Pleitgen/CNN
A view inside the destroyed house belonging to George's brother. Frederick Pleitgen/CNN
Some heavier equipment is used in clean up efforts in a central square. Frederick Pleitgen/CNN
A destroyed tank is pictured at the entrance to the city. Frederick Pleitgen/CNN