Homs is coming back to life.

"Traffic lights are blinking again, gleaming cafes are crowded, and Christmas lights twinkle in the corners of stone churches and lobbies of smart hotels.

But there are dark corners, too, in Homs, Syria’s third largest city. Entire neighbourhoods remain a haunting landscape of blackened buildings pockmarked by gunfire or flattened by ferocious bombardment into grey pancakes. Homs is a place where the return of light startles and the darkness still shocks.

Last week the city that witnessed some of the first protests against President Bashar al-Assad’s rule, and some of the fiercest fighting, became the first to return fully into government hands. A local truce in the last rebel-held district of al-Waer saw the departure of the last fighters. Some 300 men, most belonging to the al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front, were bussed, under security escort, to an opposition stronghold in the north-west, where they will live to fight another day.

Their families went with them. Bewildered children clutching teddy bears were hurried to waiting buses by their mothers. “I don’t want to leave my home,” sobbed one woman, carrying with her whatever worldly goods she could manage. “But my son is a fighter, so I want to go with him.”

An official with the UN, which backs this agreement, tried to console her. “You’ll come back some day when there is a ceasefire across Syria.” But the woman was inconsolable.

About a 15-minute drive away and a world apart, in central Homs, a resident whom I have met on visits over the years expresses relief. “Remember when we couldn’t walk across the street because it was too dangerous?”"  The Guardian

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Christmas has returned to the Syrian city of Homs.  A lot of people will not know that in large parts of the ME Christmas is celebrated with vigor and enthusiasm by both Christians and Muslims.  Christmas trees are a commonplace and holiday parties common.

IS says it exploded a 150 kg. car bomb near a hospital in the city today.  That won't do the trick.  Actual civilized life is returning to Homs.  pl 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/12/homs-syrian-rebels-assad-ceasefire

 

Comments

[Herodotus]

I hope the bulbs just burst on the Kagan Christmas tree..

[Barish]

"A lot of people will not know that in large parts of the ME Christmas is celebrated with vigor and enthusiasm by both Christians and Muslims. Christmas trees are a commonplace and holiday parties common."

I can report as much having lived about 10 months in Turkey a few years back. Only difference there: It's celebrated on New Year's eve, Christmas presents as well as Christmas kitsch and all. Light decorations tend to be up all year round in places (albeit not powered on all the time, of course).

But yes, reports like this should finally put the group-think prevalent in think-tanks and MSM alike to rest. If not, maybe pressure from the public that actually can connect the dots will make them.

[turcopolier]

barish

Don't post things twice. pl

[oofda]

My wife has been living for month-long periods in Egypt, while researching and writing a book. One of the things she plans to write about is the celebration of Christmas in Egypt- among both Christians and Muslims. And that Mary is respected among Muslims as the mother of Jesus. Isa Ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary)is indeed a significant figure in Islam. I submit that this is news to most Americans- so many are surprised when they hear this. I'm sure General Boykin would be.

[Tyler]

OT but of interest:

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/12/12/daily-mail-dhs-whistelbower-phillip-haney-i-could-have-stopped-san-bernadino-massacre/

Long story short DHS whistleblower was told by DHS Office of Civil Rights to knock off investigating the San Berdoo shooters because "muh civil rights" and well you know how the rest went.

[Natemotep]

I am living in Tehran at the moment and am happy to report seeing large groups of schoolchildren roaming the streets as classes let out with little Santa and Christmas tree dioramas in hand. Christmas trees are for sale in small lots on Armenian street as well.
Ho ho ho.

[red brick]

Video of celebrations in Homs last night:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PauFSKZafr4

[Valissa]

I've long been fascinated by Mary's wide appeal across multiple religions. Your point about her place in Islam is mentioned several times in this article from this month's National Geographic...

How the Virgin Mary Became the World’s Most Powerful Woman http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/12/virgin-mary-text

[alba etie]

Herodotus
And all Ms Nuland gets in her Christmas stocking is the ashes of the Color Revolution Playbook ...

[oofda]

Not sure how credible that source is. Have seen a lot of silliness out of Breitbart.

[Tyler]

I have seen a lot of silliness here from people with Breitbart without once seeing anyone actually try to refute the argument versus attacking the source, hitting reply and sitting back smugly stating "Well my job here is done".