The growth and development of the city of Ma’arra made the castle a part of the town. Locals built their homes on its grounds and took residence in it. Though the eastern section has since been mostly evacuated, a number of families still reside in the castle. Most of the abandoned homes within the perimeter of the castle are currently used as barns for housing animals. This is a cause for concern due to poor sanitation and source for disease.
Additionally, the residents further damaged the castle by removing stones from the moat/trench and building unauthorized sewage lines which caused salt and wastewater to seep underneath the castle walls. The castle moat/trench is also used as a dumping site for trash and manure.
