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Hundreds of Syrian rebels surrendered Homs to President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces Thursday as part of a cease-fire agreement to end more than two years of fighting in the nation’s third-largest city.

The crumbled ruins and rubble-strewn streets opposition fighters left behind testify to the massive destruction the area has suffered during Syria’s civil war.

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“Words cannot describe what has happened here,” said Abdel Nasser Harfoush, a 58-year-old Homs resident who lost his business. He said he hoped the agreement will end the bloodshed and restore peace and stability to his city.

An Associated Press journalist reported that standing near the city’s main square, known as the Clock Square, the streets appeared almost apocalyptic. Even the trees were burnt.

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Buildings along Dablan street were completely shattered with gaping holes, crumbled facades and flattened upper floors.

A restaurant known as the city café was scorched. Rubbish, glass, debris, fallen trees and electricity poles blocked deserted roads that intersected with Dablan street.