Peace Restored In Damascus

The Syrian authorities have confirmed that Al-Zabadani resort town, 25km from Damascus, has recently been liberated by the Syrian Army after a fierce battle with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants. Residents, who left the city more than five years ago, have started to return homes.

Prior to the outbreak of civil war, Zabadani was considered as one of the flagship resort in the West Asian country. The town used to attract tourists mainly because of its geographical location, as it is situated near the Barada River (not far from the Syrian-Lebanese border). In Zabadani, tourists also get an opportunity to enjoy the extraordinary scenic beauty of the mountain and picturesque landscapes.

In recent past, the town was run by HTS militants. However, they were forced to retreat last week and they left behind only ruins. Although the population of the town was around 190,000...