Rare new photos from inside Syria, obtained by The Associated Press, that show life amid the uprising against President Bashar Assad.

Arab League monitors kicked off their one month mission in Syria with a visit on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011 to Homs, the first time Syria has allowed outside monitors to the city at the heart of the anti-government uprising. Several from the team of 12 stayed in the city overnight, and the team continued to work in Homs on Wednesday, Dec. 28. The monitors are expected to visit Hama, Idlib and Daraa on Thursday, Dec. 29, all centers of the uprising.