Residents of N. Syria celebrate Eid in relative safety

AL-BAB, SYRIA - JUNE 15: Civilians in parts of northern Syria that fall within Operation Euphrates Shield’s area-of-operations are celebrating the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, which began Thursday evening, in peace and security.In areas liberated from the Daesh terrorist group last year by the Turkish army operation, Syrians converged on local mosques Friday to pray for an end to the conflict that has devastated their country since 2011. Residents of the city of Al-Bab in Syria’s northern Aleppo province performed Eid prayers at the city’s mosques and exchanged holiday greetings.“The situation is stable here, although we are hosting many displaced people from other areas,” Abu Mohamed, imam of Al-Bab’s Fatima al-Zahra Mosque, told Anadolu Agency.“Thankfully, we are celebrating the Eid in a safe environment,” Abu Mohamed said.He added: “We pray that security and stability will prevail throughout Syria.”During last year’s Operation Euphrates Shield, Turkish forces -- together with the Free Syrian Army -- cleared large areas of northern Aleppo, including Al-Bab, of the terrorist presence, allowing thousands of displaced Syrians to return to their homes.(Footage by Beha el Halebi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)