A rocket hit the entrance of a state-sponsored trade show being held in the Syrian capital of Damascus on 20 August, according to local reports.

The attack on the large-scale first trade show held in Damascus for five years, has killed five people, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group. No group has taken responsibility for the attack.

The fair, which started on 17 August and will run for 10 days, is being used by Bashar al-Assad’s government to illustrate its focus on the reconstruction of Syria after recent advances in a number of major cities.

The trade show brought together 23 participating countries and 20 private sector firms from around the world.

Unsurprisingly, the strongest show of support came from Iran, Russia and China. The trade event has also hosted private sector firms from the UK, the UAE, France and Germany, despite no official diplomatic support from each of these countries which continue to oppose a post-war Syria that involves Assad and his regime.

If Assad remains in power, the reconstruction of Syria is unlikely to mirror that of Iraq following the 2003 US invasion.

Following the Iraq war a number of major US firms stepped in to be part of a structured reconstruction process. In a post-war Syria that includes Assad, any financial support is likely to only come from Iran, Russia and China.

According to a recent World Bank report the civil war has cost the Syrian economy approximately $226bn, with a number of analysts claiming the reconstruction bill is in excess of $300bn.

Iran has already promised a $6-10bn credit line for the Assad regime. Russia has not yet promised anything, but diplomats have called on US and Europe to pay for the reconstruction of Syria.