Aleppo's scattered business owners have yet to return home

FILE PHOTO: A Syrian merchant sits at Mohammed Abu Zeid's shop in Khan Khair Bek at the old city of Aleppo, Syria April 13, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki

ALEPPO, Syria (Reuters) - In the old khan, a stone courtyard off Aleppo's medieval souk, most of the 41 cloth shops are deserted. Many of the owners moved elsewhere or went abroad to escape fighting in the historic Syrian city, a major economic centre before the war.

"Some started new work outside Syria and won't return. Some who stayed opened new shops in other parts of the country," said Mohammed Abu Zeid, one of two cloth merchants still operating.