Christmas celebrations begin in Aleppo, Syria

The recently liberated city of Aleppo, Syria's second largest city, has erupted into euphoria on the cusp of Christmas Day.

The video shows Christians and Muslims celebrate as a Christmas Tree is lit up. It demonstrates the symbolism on the defeat of radical Islamist forces in the city.

Amongst the crowd, flags of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Russian Federation, and Hezbollah can be seen. This was complimented with a band playing music.

A well-attended Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in the Syrian city of Aleppo was rocked by an explosion meters away from the gathered crowd. No casualties have been reported.

Moments earlier, Azizieh square, in western Aleppo, which is under firm government control, began hosting its first Christmas tree-lighting since fighting broke out in the city in 2012.

Balconies of houses around the square were festooned with Syrian and Russian flags, as hundreds of members of the Christian minority of what was once Syria’s biggest city, celebrated a symbolic return to normality, following the recapture of the city by government forces earlier in December.

A brass band played seasonal standards, and many filmed the ceremony – an unusual sign of ordinary civilian life – on their smartphones.

Across the city, the UN-monitored evacuation of rebels and civilians who do not wish to live under government control is close to completion. Government forces are expected to enter the eastern districts of Aleppo within days.