Eid in Syria: Residents of Eastern Ghouta celebrate as situation improves

World
Europe

02:27

Celebrations marking the end of Ramadan are being held once again in Syria's former rebel stronghold of Eastern Ghouta. Our correspondent Alaa Ebrahim has more.

The Damascus suburb of Eastern Ghouta was the rebel stronghold closest to the Syrian capital, and the areas' landscape has reshaped by countless air strikes. But the situation is starting to improve for the city that has witnessed many war atrocities.

For the first time since the area fell to rebel hands in 2011, celebrations marking Eid are being held once again. Rebels that controlled the city had banned such activities due to the danger of air and artillery attacks.

Things as simple as soft drinks were hard to come by, and their availability now highlights the bitterness of the past.

OMAR DRINKS STAND OWNER "This is the first calm holiday we have had in years. I can't begin to describe how I feel. For seven years we were never able to go out like this."

Most of the population of Douma remained in the town when the fighting ended. With hundreds of thousands still in their homes, the prospect of life returning to normal continues to grow.

AHMAT DOUMA RESIDENT "Well it is a happy Eid. I haven't seen children playing out in the street like this for years, let alone being able to buy new clothes and really celebrate."

Eid Al-Fitr is one of the two main Islamic holidays and an essential part of local culture. Many children here are celebrating the occasion outside, without fear of bombing raids or gunfire, for the first time.

YAZAN DOUMA RESIDENT "The armed men ruined our lives. But now it is different. We can play out and visit other people."

The people of Eastern Ghouta are in the midst of celebration. But they also know their lives won't go back to normal any time soon.

ALAA EBRAHIM DAMASCUS "In this fair behind me children are back to celebrating the holiday. For some of them it is the first time in their young lives. And it's a reminder of what they had lost during the war. Alaa Ebrahim - Damascus - Syria."