Images have today emerged showing dramatic scenes depicting a city slowly returning to life after more than four years of civil war.

The first batch of armed forces to withdraw from Homs is expected to include 300 to 700 gunmen, although some 3,000 armed forces are believed to be holed up inside the neighbourhood, which is separated from the rest of the city by the Orontes River.

The deal is similar to one struck in May 2014 in Homs' Old City, where the government assumed control of the quarter after about 2,000 opposition armed forces were granted safe passage to opposition areas north of Homs.

The area was destroyed and thousands of civilians were killed or forced to flee, and rebels surrendered only after they were starved and out-gunned.

Many hope that such local deals can be replicated across Syria to create pockets of peace and a climate conducive to talks leading up to a transitional government.to end the conflict that began in 2011

18 months after rebels first left the  old parts of  Homs  the streets have been cleared of rubble and few people have returned.

In the ancient part of the city the occasional sound of a hammer clanking on metal points to sporadic restoration work by Syrians who have returned to reopen businesses amid battle-scarred and ravaged buildings.

Russia's military intervention in Syria, which began Sept. 30, has helped government forces to go on the offensive in various parts of Syria, although it does not appear the Waer deal has anything to do with it.

'I expect that the reconciliation in Waer will be an introduction for similar agreements in Houleh, Rastan and Talbiseh,' Govornor Talal Barazzi told the AP, referring to other armed forces -held areas of Homs province.

'They (the gunmen) can return to their normal life, take part in protecting the cities and villages, and stand alongside the Syrian army in a national battle — a battle in the face of terrorism,' he said.