DAMASCUS (Ruptly) — Residents of the Syrian town of Izraa in the Daraa province celebrated Christmas for the first time since its liberation from militant rule, footage filmed on late Monday shows.

Worshippers flocked to the Mar Elia Church to attend the Christmas service and participate in colourful festivities, including an orchestra performance, Christmas lights, fireworks and people dressed in Santa Claus costumes.

“Today, we are actually celebrating the new birth of Syria along with the birth of the Christ, which has been made possible through [the return] of safety and security. We thank God that Horan belongs again to its motherland”, commented Najeeb Romeyih, priest from the Mar Elias Church.

This is the first time that such celebrations have returned to the town following several years of civil war.