A few hours before the start of a US-Russia-negotiated “cessation of hostilities” in Syria, residents of the former rebel stronghold of Baba Amr in
ADVERTISEMENTA few hours before the start of a US-Russia-negotiated “cessation of hostilities” in Syria, residents of the former rebel stronghold of Baba Amr in Homs were on Friday filled with both relief and anger.
The neighbourhood saw some of the heaviest clashes in the Syrian uprising between government and rebel forces.
Families have begun rebuilding their homes but life is slow to return.
Many structures were so badly destroyed that families could not move back in and were forced to find alternative accommodation.
A large part of the neighbourhood has yet to be cleared of mines and is therefore closed off.
A ceasefire between conventional armies fighting in the conflict and insurgent groups came into effect at midnight in the country.
Both the so-called Islamic State (ISIL) and Jabhat al-Nusra are excluded from the ceasefire agreement.