A snowball fight in Damascus.

A welcome moment of play in a country engulfed in war

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FADI KOUS, SYRIAN MAN, SAYING:

"Our hearts are with the soldiers who are standing at checkpoints, and also with homeless people. I thank emergency workers and those who are helping people get warm."

Years of war has imposed tough conditions in all types of weather. Some hope the snow will deliver a change of heart.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SAHAR AL-ASSAD, SYRIAN WOMAN, SAYING:

"May God help the homeless people. We are at our houses and we are thinking of them because of the cold. We hope this crisis ends well. I hope this is the last year of war and bad things. I hope this white color fills people's hearts."

The conflict has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced millions of others -- most of whom are living in tents at refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey.