The newly-crowned kings of Asian football returned home and unleashed renewed waves of celebrations in strife-torn Baghdad.

Numerous security forces filled Baghdad’s airport, policemen cordoning off the access gates. Numerous fans arrived at the airport on Friday evening to greet their heroes, but couldn’t get near the football players of their national team due to the tight security measures imposed.

A bus awaited the players that brought together Iraqis across the country with their victories and sparked a fiesta on the streets of Baghdad after lifting the Asian Cup over their heads.

After being cheered by fans and offering short statements to media representatives, all players were taken to the fortified Green Zone in the cities center, for a meeting with President Jalal Taliban and Premier Nuri al-Maliki.

Despite the agitation and tears of joy, many couldn’t help noticing the absence of one key figure of the success: Sunni captain Younis Mahmoud. He scored the winning goal in the game against Saudi Arabia, but feared to return in his country.

Many of the players feared for their lives, because they belong to different denominations and sectarian hatred is ravaging the nation killing scores of Sunnis and Shiites monthly.

But all those fears magically disappeared when their plane touched the runway in Baghdad and dozens of people began cheering and applauding.

The country’s prime minister and lawmakers warmly greeted the players, putting wreaths of flowers arround their necks and acclaiming them.

“You have brought the smile back to the lips of Iraq. You are an example of our unity,” al-Maliki told the men.

A curfew is still imposed in Baghdad after series of attacks killed dozens in the past weeks. Crowds gathered on the streets after each victory of the Lions of Mesopotamia, but many became targets for extremists that unleashed deadly bomb attacks across Baghdad.

Men with different religious appurtenance were united by a common goal and through their work and dedication they managed to unite Iraqis, an achievement politicians failed to reach.