Khan Al-Askar was built in the 14th Century by the Mamluk authorities. During the first half of the 18th century, it was restored by Ottoman troops. This explains the presence of the Ottoman Tughra (signature) on the top of its eastern gate. It is located on the left side of the Abou Ali River, to the north west of the city, close to the Jami Al- Tawbah. The Khan Al Askar or Soldiers Khan has no founding inscriptions, and was probably built to serve military troops for the new city.
The Khan Al Askar consists of two rectangular units, which when measured together are about 100m long and are united by a high vaulted corridor. Although a military structure, this khan is furnished with 3 decorative elements on its ground floor; An Alcove (a niche in the wall of a room) to the right of the entrance, the larger unit is decorated with two engaged braided colonnettes and braided columns flanking a central element which was a popular scheme for the decoration of Khans in Aleppo.
