The Syrians are preparing to celebrate Christmas in Homs after the army liberated the city from the control of Takfiri terrorists.

"Our joy is indescribable," Taghrid Naanaa told AFP while picking out Christmas tree decorations at a local shop.

Christians comprise roughly 10 percent of Syria's population and as such have been targeted by Takfiri militants during the crisis in Syria because of supporting the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

"Christmas brings the chance to think of our peaceful past, despite the destruction and the tragedy," said Marwan Najjar, a 50-year-old schoolteacher who fled the city in 2012 and returned when the army recaptured it.

"This is our first Christmas here since we returned to the district. We hope this is a sign of peace for all the world," he said.

Meanwhile, people have painted the walls of their homes in bright colors and the shelves of stores in the city are packed with Christmas decorations for the first time in years.

Since March 2011, Syria has been grappling with a deadly crisis that has claimed the lives of more than 200,000 people, according to the United Nations.

Over the past months, Syrian soldiers have made numerous gains in the battle against the foreign-sponsored militants, inflicting heavy losses on them in several areas.

Assad's government has vowed to push ahead with its efforts to root out terrorism in the Arab country and establish national reconciliation.