barbara plett usher, _ able to keep power. barbara plett usher, we _ able to keep power. bara plett usher, we will leave i able to keep power. barbara plett usher, we will leave it| plett usher, we will leave it there. thank you very much for now. former us ambassador to syria, robert ford spoke a little earlier about the brutality of assad regime. the assad regime and its brutality are well known. it is responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands of syrians, some in very gruesome fashion. and i think it is important for viewers to remember that because of those crimes, many of the assad loyalists now will fight hard at the end. it would be difficult for them to surrender knowing that accountability awaits them. have you been surprised by simply the speed of events on the ground? yes, i have to say i am almost shocked by the speed of events on the ground and two things stand out — one, that morale of the syrian army is terrible, i don't think i have ever seen it so disorganised and unwilling to fight, and second, its external supports, russia and iran, seem to be un

but first to barbara plett usher in damascus.ers left by president bashar al—assad. thousands of people searching for their loved ones, and they don't know if they are alive. translation: my son, son-in-law _ are alive. translation: my son, son-in-law and — are alive. translation: my son, son-in-law and my _ are alive. translation: my son, son-in-law and my sisters - are alive. translation: my son, son-in-law and my sisters have i are alive. translation: my son, . son-in-law and my sisters have been son—in—law and my sisters have been detained for ten years and we do not know anything. they believe there is a secret entrance _ they believe there is a secret entrance from _ they believe there is a secret entrance from the _ they believe there is a secret entrance from the kitchen - they believe there is a secret entrance from the kitchen to | entrance from the kitchen to place with hidden doors, but they don't know where it is, and they don't have any idea how to get there. translation: we have any idea how to get there. translati

barbara plett usher _ what will happen next. barbara plett usher reporting _ what will happen next. from - plett usher reporting from damascus there. with the flag of the syrian opposition displayed on his desk, this is how a news anchor on syrian tv, reacted after rebels declared they had taken damascus. translation: in the name of allah, the most gracious, the most merciful. the proud people of our nation, the time has come and the sun of freedom has risen. the time has come to lift the oppression and dispel the darkness overshadowing our beloved country. we are the rightful owners and this land belongs to us. we, the syrian people of all sects, colours we, the syrian people foreign interests in what is happening in syria, but this really is a syrian story, after more than a decade and a half of suffering. more than a decade and a half of suffering-— of suffering. yes. it is a seismic _ of suffering. yes. it is a seismic moment - of suffering. yes. it is a seismic moment in - of suffering. yes. it is a seismic moment in the | of suffering. yes. it is a - seismic moment in the regio

barbara plett usher, _ respect minority rights. espect minority rights. barbara plett usher, thank you. - here, the government's approach to dealing with the syrian rebels who overthrew the assad regime is still no clearer. hayet tahrir al—sham — or hts — are a proscribed organisation who appear on the uk terror list. our political correspondent harry farleyjoins us. harry, the prime minister has a key decision to make here. yes, he does. i have actuallyjust come over the road from parliament where we had a briefing with the prime minister's official spokesman. it's clear there are multiple aspects of the conflicts that are concerning ministers. on the question of proscription and whether hts, as it is known, the main rebel group, stays on that banned list of terror organisations, it is clear from the briefing we just had that that decision will not come in eminently. the downing street spokesman saying the government had said it had officially broken ties with al-qaeda and been promising to be more inclusive but their decision woul

barbara plett usher reporting from damascus there.f the syrian opposition seeing this as a new chapter in syria's history. what that chapter is is the next question. the prime minister has put out a statement saying that he wants to work for the continuity of government, for the handover of power in a peaceful way for elections. the leader of the rebels has said that his forces should not target public institutions, those are still under the authority of the prime minister until they can be handed over officially so both of them sending out messages of reassurance, calm rather than chaos but things are uncertain and everyone is waiting to see what will happen next. barbara plett usher reporting from damascus there. with the flag of the syrian opposition displayed on his desk, this is how a news anchor on syrian tv, reacted after rebels declared they had taken damascus. translation: in the name of allah, the most gracious, the most merciful. the proud people of our nation, the time has come and the sun of freedom has risen. the time ha

the bbc�*s barbara plett usher is in damascus as we came into the city, we saw equipment abandoned, evenniforms as soldiers took off their uniforms and joined the population. rebels appear on state tv saying they've toppled a tyrant and have released his prisoners. russia says assad has left the country and his palace is looted syria's prime minister says he will �*cooperate�* with the rebels over a transition of power and that free elections should be held. these are live pictures of the syria lebanon border as thousands try to return to their homes in syria. hello. more than five decades of authoritarian rule by the assad family have come to an end in syria, after rebels took the capital, damascus, overnight. speaking on state television they said �*the city of damascus has been liberated... assad has been toppled'. the group hayat tahrir al—sham, who have their roots in al-qaeda, have been trying to rebrand themselves as a nationalist force. they say they've freed what they called hundreds of unjustly detained prisoners held injails in syria. the russian foreign ministry said presiden

barbara plett usher was the first western journalist to enter damascus since the city fell and she sentis report. this is an extraordinary moment, a seismic change in syria's balance of power. the strongman of damascus, bashar al—assad, is gone. rebels have declared victory. we were the first western journalists to reach the capital, just hours after it fell. this is where people are celebrating in the central umayyad square, civilians and rebels. you can hear the sound of celebratory gunfire. people are driving around in their cars, they are giving me peace signs. they are saying that life is going to be so much better now that bashar al—assad is gone. but there is a mix ofjoy and fear in the city. there are those who supported bashar al—assad, who felt they were protected by him, and now they're wondering what is going to happen. here, i spoke to people who have long been waiting for his downfall. "thank you, thank you", she says. "the tyrant has fallen, the tyrant has fallen." many of her family died under president assad's rule, some in prison. my cousin, my son, my family. all... a

barbara plett usher inside syria the assad family controlled syria for 53 years.000 after his father had held power since the early 1970s. russia propped up the assad dynasty for decades, but in the past few years, its focus had shifted. 0ur russia editor steve rosenberg has more on the news reported by russian state television. it was a brief announcement, a kremlin sourcin- that bashar kremlin sourcing that bashar al—assad and his family had arrived in moscow, had been given asylum on medicare and grounds. i think that these extraordinary events we have been witnessing are a major blow to the kremlin. after all, russia, russia's intervention in the syrian war was driven to a large extent by russia's desire to protect itself as a global power, shoring up assad, was seen as a way of challenging the west, and now in a matter of days, this kremlin— syria project has unraveled in dramatic circumstances. i think that russia's priority note will be the fates of its two main military bases in syria, one air base, which had given russia and would hold in the eastern medi

barbara plett usher reporting from damascus there. of the syrian opposition displayed on his desk, this is how a news anchor on syrian tv, reacted after rebels declared they had taken damascus. translation: in the name of allah, the most gracious, the most merciful. the proud people of our nation, the time has come and the sun of freedom has risen. the time has come to lift the oppression and dispel the darkness overshadowing our beloved country. we are the rightful owners and this land belongs to us. we, the syrian people of all sects, colours and walks of life, stand united, hand in hand, looking forward to a brighter tomorrow. a future where injustice and tyranny are eradicated. let's speak to dr rim turkmani. she is the director of syria conflict research programme at the london school of economics. she is a member of the women's advisory board to the un special envoy to syria. thank you forjoining us. i may thank you for “oining us. i may think keeping — thank you forjoining us. i may think keeping in _ thank you forjoining us. i

to warn you, this report from barbara plett usher contains images of children in distress. rescued from the wreckage moments after the bombs struck. footage posted by the syrian civil defence group, the white helmets, shows the aftermath of an attack on the rebel stronghold of idlib, southwest of aleppo. the regime is fighting back. thousands of people have been displaced, fleeing aleppo and areas around idlib. their lives suddenly upended by this escalation in syria's civil war. translation: we are i following the battle news and god willing the regime will fall. we count night and day to return as the kids are tired and shocked. we left and came here in our clothes and nothing else. the speedy capture of aleppo took everyone by surprise. a devastating blow to the assad regime. the rebels continue their advance, but here, the city is coming to terms with a new normal. some are fearful of the anti—government rebels, but so far, people continue with their daily lives. and for those driven out by previous battles, a chance to come home. translation: | returned to| aleppo afte

barbara plett usher, bbc news.ust discussing their and barbara's reported that meeting between president assad in the iranian foreign minister. we also know that russian air strikes have been under way. what level of support do you expect now from asad's allies, crucially, how long do you think it will last? ,., ., crucially, how long do you think it will last? ., , i. will last? good to be with you. i think the support _ will last? good to be with you. i think the support that _ will last? good to be with you. i think the support that asad - will last? good to be with you. i think the support that asad is l think the support that asad is waiting is crucial for him and for his survival and for his ability to recapture part of the areas that the opposition has controlled over the last two or three days. however, the situation on the ground is different this time, and the conditions for has allies are also different. today, iran is less capable than it was 10—9 years ago. they can send less support for him when it co

barbara plett usher, bbc news, damascus.ad regime in syria has raised many questions, which we'll be answering for you in the coming hour. perhaps the most important — who are the rebels who have taken control of damascus and syria's other main cities? given the support which iran and russia had been offering president assad, what will this do to the balance of power in the middle east? and given the stocks of modern military equipment — and, it's believed, chemical weapons — which were controlled by the assad government, what will the rebels do next? we expect the us president, joe biden, do deliver a remark shortly. we will go to that as soon as it happens. earlier, we heard from our state department correspondent tom bateman, who is in washington — he told us what the reponse has been from the white house so far. i think the speed and magnitude of events caught them off—guard. we have mostly a stunned silence from the white house over the weekend, save for a very short statement on saturday when the said the president bid

barbara plett usher, bbc news, beirut.ke to wafa mustafa, senior communications and advocacy lead at the ngo the syria campaign. thank you very much for being with us on bbc news.- thank you very much for being with us on bbc news. today we heard risk _ with us on bbc news. today we heard risk -- — with us on bbc news. today we heard risk -- reports _ with us on bbc news. today we heard risk -- reports of- heard risk —— reports of multiple airstrikes across syria reportedly targeting rebel is. what are you seeing in terms of that immediate impact on civilians? let me start by saying _ impact on civilians? let me start by saying these - impact on civilians? let me start by saying these are i start by saying these are airstrikes targeted many civilians and unfortunately the casualties we have heard of and that we know of, are for civilians, whether we are talking about targeting civilians in residential areas and urgent lube or even aleppo city. let's start by saying rebel expected the regime sooner or later to target civili

barbara plett usher, bbc news, beirut.nior communications and advocacy lead at the ngo the syria campaign and advocacy lead at the ngo the syria cam civilians as later to target civilians as the action and the response that we have been seeing for years. we are talking about devastated health care system, we are talking about a number of hospitals, whether in it liberal or aleppo, families have to flee again, unfortunately experience this displacement many times over the past years. displacement many times over the past veere— the past years. currently the bbc has not _ the past years. currently the bbc has not been _ the past years. currently the bbc has not been able - the past years. currently the bbc has not been able to - bbc has not been able to independently verify, of course, we have seen those multiple reports of civilian casualties. you were just talking to me there about how long the civil war has been going on for. with all of this in mind, what state is the humanitarian infrastructure, the levels of aid, what

barbara plett usher, bbc news.t to bring you some breaking news that we are getting from theo leggett who is our business correspondence. the chief executive of global automotive group has stepped down with immediate effect. full statement said it has protected the resignation of the leader since 2021. it is the leader since 2021. it is the world's fifth largest automotive group. it is the parent company of vauxhall but it also controls a number of other brands including peugeot, citroen, chrysler and jeep. other brands including peugeot, citroen, chryslerand jeep. it has been struggling with falling sales, especially in north america. also here in the uk the boss has recently courted controversy after announcing the vauxhall plant in luton would close with the loss, or putting at risk at least, of over 1000 jobs. the company hasn't said why he has stepped down but he was due to stepped down but he was due to step down in 2026 the box of the vauxhall owner has stepped down with immediate effect. now we are going to

that was barbara plett usher in damascus, as the city fell.ed syria for 53 years. president bashar al—assad took power in 2000, after his father had held power since the early 19705. russia propped up the a55ad dynasty for decades but in the past few years it's for decades but in the past few years its focus has shifted. 0ur russia added to steve rosenberg has more from the news coming from russian state new5 coming from russian state television that the former president is now in moscow. it was a brief announcement, quoting a kremlin 5ource, saying that bashar al—a55ad and his family had arrived in moscow, been given asylum on humanitarian grounds. i think that these extraordinary events that these extraordinary events that we've been witne55ing are a major blow to the kremlin. i mean, after all, russia's intervention in the syrian war was driven to a large extent by russia's desire to itself as a global power, 5horing russia's desire to itself as a global power, shoring up assad. it was seen very much as a way of challenging the west. but no

barbara plett usher, bbc news, beirut.chevskaya, senior fellow at washington institute for near east policy. anna is also the author of �*putin�*s war in syria: russian foreign policy and the price of america's absence'. i just want to begin by getting your assessment about how crucial you think the next hours are, the next days are, for the syrian regime, because, of course, we've seen those russian strikes on aleppo will for the first time since 2016. but of course we're also considering the fact that they are deeply engaged in their war in ukraine, so do you think russia has the bandwidth to help assad reverse the losses? well, theoretically, russia still has some bandwidth to help assad. the fact of the matter is russia's involvement in syria was always limited by design. but at the same time, as you said, we are dealing with a very different russia. this is an overstretched russia, that is prioritising the war in ukraine. and the fact of the matter is russia also missed a crucial window of opportunity in the last seve

the bbc�*s barbara plett usher is in damascus as we came into the city resort mother to the equipmenteside the road abandoned, tanks and military vehicles and uniforms as soldiers took them off and joined the population. syria's prime minister says he will �*cooperate�* with the rebels over a transition of power and that free elections should be held. rebels appear on state tv saying they have toppled a tyrant and have released his prisoners. these are live pictures of the syria lebanon border as thousands try to return to their homes in syria. rebel forces in damascus have declared the capital city "free" of long—time ruler bashar al—assad. reports say that president assad has left damascus by plane for an unknown destination. in the past few minutesm turkey's foreign minister said mr assad's probably outside syria. this comes as gunfire has been reported in the heart of the capital as rebels opposed to the rule of president assad continue their lightning offensive across the country. the rebel advance on damascus comes after they said they had "fully liberated" the city of homs. the

barbara plett usher, bbc news, beirut.ian expert from the middle east institute, if he was surprised by the speed of the rebel advance. yes, i think the rebels themselves are surprised at the lightning speed that they've been able to make these advances into syria's second largest city in aleppo with very little resistance. that said, the timing here has been crucial. launching this attack, this strike when iran has bogged down, his brother weakend, and russia distracted here with the war in ukraine. the timing has been crucial. the transition in washington also plays in the rebel�*s favour. i think we are in day three, may be the day for now i think we are in day three, may be the day four now since the offensive has been launched very little from washington, dc surprisingly in terms of commentary on this, the timing is crucial. how far these rebels are going to be able to push is going to come up against some hard realities. not only on the ground but also the geopolitical regional situation where perhaps israel and wash

barbara plett usher, bbc news, beirut.skaya, senior fellow at washington institute for near east policy, author of putin's war in syria. the advancing rebels. the battle for aleppo in 2016 was a crucial point. syrian and russian forces gained control after a gruelling siege. the war�*s mostly gone quiet since, with occasional eruptions, the last major one in 2020 when syria and its russian allies attacked idlib. now, again, russian warplanes are bombing aleppo. the syrian army says it's made a tactical retreat to prepare a counteroffensive. the kremlin is assad's most important ally but it's now also fighting a war in ukraine. to syria, but they've been weakened by israeli attacks in the region — that's one reason the rebels were able �*is in action. so the answer is it's possible, but, to your point, the next days, hours, are very, recrucial. will we eventually reach a point of no return when assad cannot reverse the tide of his losses? and that certainly is a possibility.— and that certainly is a possibility. and that ce

barbara plett usher, bbc news, beirut.ow at the washington institute for near east policy and former director of syria national security council at the white house. what do you make of what we are seeing in terms of this advance by the rebel group? has it been more successful than you would have imagined? film. more successful than you would have imagined?— have imagined? 0h, far more successful, _ have imagined? 0h, far more successful, conquering - have imagined? 0h, far more successful, conquering more| successful, conquering more territory in aleppo province and now into hama province than we've seen in years. also reports of, you know, potential effects in different parts of the country, it's still early daysin the country, it's still early days in the offensive and we are waiting on the counteroffensive by the regime and its associates.— and its associates. you heard a bit in the _ and its associates. you heard a bit in the piece _ and its associates. you heard a bit in the piece there _ and its associates. you heard

our correspondent barbara plett—usher is there — the bbc is the only british broadcaster currently withe's her report. this is an extraordinary moment, a seismic change in syria's balance of power. the strongman of damascus bashar assad is gone. rebels have declared victory. we were the first western journalist to reach the capital after it fell. this is where people are celebrating in the central umayyad square, they're giving me peace signs —— you can hear the sound of celebratory gunfire. people giving me peace signs and there is good good be so much better now that bit assad is gone. it is a mix ofjoy and fear in the city. there are those who supported bashar al—assad, protected by him and now they are wondering what is going to happen. here, i have spoken to people long waiting where his downfall. translation: thank you. thank you. the tyrant has fallen. many of her family died under president assad's rule, some in prison. my cousin, my son, my family, all gone! all of them! how are you feeling? translation: it is an - indescribable feeling, we're we're so happy. after all the year

joining me now is our correspondent barbara plett usher in beirut. this was a conflict that seemed to front page is very much because we were covering the conflict in ukraine, gaza, lebanon so much. but this really has reignited with the sudden surprise offensive by the rebels and they seem to be making real progress, don't they? making real progress, don't the ? , , , . , they? this is the second city they? this is the second city they captured _ they? this is the second city they captured in _ they? this is the second city they captured in about - they? this is the second city they captured in about a - they? this is the second city i they captured in about a week, they captured in about a week, the rebel operations room has noissued the rebel operations room has no issued statement saying that they are in full control of, and in full control of bahama airbase and a nearby mountain, which is tactically important for maintaining that control. —— hama. the leader has also issued a statement saying that this should be a conquest without an end, reassuring people who might be afraid of

our correspondent barbara plett usher is on the lebanon—syria border and explained how significant it well, judging from what's happened so far, catherine, it seems that it is likely they have taken two big cities in the north, aleppo and hama. but there with very little resistance. and so we have to wait and see if the syrian forces, the syrian armed forces, together with their russian and iranian allies, are going to put up more of a fight over homs, because it is quite a strategic gain if the rebels could take it. we are on the road to homs, on the lebanon side of the border, and just spoke a little while ago to a young man who came by this morning and asked him what it was like there. he said it was quiet. there were soldiers in the streets, no sign of rebels yet, although he could, he heard the sound of air strikes earlier, which we understand was the syrian and russian forces targeting rebels in the suburbs and a number of civilians killed in that strike. but he said everyone was really afraid. a lot of people had left. families would send their most of the families away, and th

called the reignited war a collective failure of the international community. 0ur correspondent barbara plett usher situation from beirut. well, ragini, what we've got is a statement by the rebel operations centre saying that they have advanced quite significantly from hama. they have passed through two main towns and they are now about five kilometres from homs itself. and they have posted video on their channels showing them in a town very close to homs, at least apparently appearing to show them in that town. their movements have been also confirmed by a war monitor, although we haven't independently been able to verify these reports. but, if they are true, then that has been an astonishing advance. after having taken hama yesterday, fighting around the city there for several days, and then we've also been hearing that the government forces have been taking steps to try to slow any advance towards homs — for example, bombing a bridge on the main road in order to to try to prevent them from moving forward. but, again, if what we're hearing from the rebels and from the war monitor are correct, the

we'll have a special report from inside the jail from our correspondent barbara plett—usher, who wasus as it fell. the country succumbed to the rebels�* advance at lightning speed. it's less than a week since the city of aleppo was captured in a shock offensive, then horns and finally damascus, where rebel forces met almost no resistance. we'll also hearfrom yogita limaye in damascus, with more on the rebels who are now in control, and steve rosenberg will be reporting from moscow on president assad's escape to russia. our international editor, jeremy bowen, and political editor, chris mason, will also be on the programme with their analysis. first though, here's barbara's report from damascus. the saydnaya the sayd naya prison, the saydnaya prison, a symbol of some of the darkest abuses of bashar al—assad's rule. thousands of opposition supporters were tortured and killed here. now there is a rush to find those still missing. for the first time, but also open white to a country traumatised by of repression. everyone has a desperate story to tell of loved ones jailed for years. this

barbara plett usher has the latest. fighting back against the rebels, a surprising strike.ople have been displaced, fleeing the area. , ., , the area. they have been renewed _ the area. they have been renewed battles - the area. they have been renewed battles against i renewed battles against the regime. we are following the bad news and god willing the regime — bad news and god willing the regime will fall. we pray night and day— regime will fall. we pray night and day to return. the regime will fall. we pray night and day to return.— and day to return. the speedy ca ture and day to return. the speedy capture of— and day to return. the speedy capture of aleppo _ and day to return. the speedy capture of aleppo took - and day to return. the speedy i capture of aleppo took everyone by surprise. the rebels continue their advance, but she ain't the city is coming to terms with a new normal. a chance for those driven off by previous battles to return. i returned to aleppo after it was liberated. i came back to experience thisjoy. 0ther experience this joy. 0ther neighbourhoods e

barbara plett usher has more, and a warning — her report contains images of children in distress.fter the bombs struck. footage posted by the syrian civil defence group, the white helmets, shows the aftermath of an attack on the rebel stronghold of idlib, southwest of aleppo. the regime is fighting back. thousands of people had been displaced, fleeing aleppo and areas around idlib. their lives certainly upended by this escalation in syria's civil war. translation: we are - following the news and god willing the regime will fall. we count night and day to return as the kids are tired and shocked. we left and came here in our clothes and nothing else. the speedy capture of aleppo took everyone by surprise, a devastating blow to the regime. the rebels continued theiradvance, but here the city is coming to terms with a new normal. early signs that daily life goes on as before. and for those driven out by previous battles, chance to return. translation: i returned to aleppo after it was liberated, after we were driven out, i came back to experience thisjoy, to witness its greatness, it

barbara plett usher has the latest. fighting back against the rebels, a surprising strike.yria's civil war has a prize fighters on both sides. thousands of people have been displaced, fleeing the area. their lives upended by the rebels renewed battles against the regime. we are following the bad news and god willing the regime will fall. we pray night and day to return. the speedy capture of aleppo took everyone by surprise. the rebels continue theiradvance, but the city is coming to terms with a new normal. a chance for those driven off by previous battles to return. i returned to aleppo after it was liberated. i came back to experience thisjoy. its old neighbourhoods cleaned up. other residents are wary. they are afraid of counter strikes and of what rebel rule might mean. the front lines of syria's civil war have been drawn. no one knows what comes next. let's speak to our correspondent in beirut, lina sinjab. bring us up to date with the situation. bring us up to date with the situation-— bring us up to date with the situation. , . , , situation. they have been sent dev

barbara plett—usher, who was the first western journalist to enter damascus as the city fell, sent thisar horns beep. this is an extraordinary moment, a seismic change in syria's balance of power. the strongman of damascus, bashar al—assad, is gone. rebels have declared victory. we were the first western journalists to reach the capital, just hours after it fell. this is where people are celebrating in the central umayyad square, civilians and rebels. you can hear the sound of celebratory gunfire. people are driving around in their cars, they are giving me peace signs. they are saying that life is going to be so much better now that bashar al—assad is gone. but there is a mix ofjoy and fear in the city. there are those who supported bashar al—assad, who felt they were protected by him, and now they're wondering what is going to happen. here, i spoke to people who have long been waiting for his downfall. "thank you, thank you", she says. "the tyrant has fallen, the tyrant has fallen!" many of her family died under president assad's rule, some in prison. my cousin, my son, my family. all,

barbara plett usher is in beirut.did put up resistance, damascus sent reinforcements of soldiers to fight them off. and they have been fighting there over the past couple of days. but now they have managed to take the city. they have moved into hama. they have actually seized control of the prison there and released inmates. and the army said it was redeploying outside hama in order to prevent civilian casualties. so it seems to be another big retreat by the army and another big victory for the rebels. and that's really going to send shock waves through damascus. this city is on the road to damascus. and there is one other major strategic city, homs, in between hama and the capital. and the rebels have said they're going to move on to that city. let's speak to un deputy regional humanitarian coordinator for the syria crisis, david carden — who hasjust led a mission to idlib in north—west syria meeting aid workers there. what is the humanitarian pitch in syria at the moment? the humanitarian _ in syria at the moment? t

the bbc�*s barbara plett usher was the first western journalist inside damascus when the regime fell.re tortured and killed here. now there's a rush for a chance of finding those still missing. for the first time, the doors have been opened wide to a country traumatised by decades of repression. everyone has a desperate story to tell of loved ones jailed for years. munther tariq is looking for his brother—in—law. we came to here, like everyone, to find maybe a light at the end of the door, maybe. "call me the wounded mother," she says, because of the children she's lost. "may god take revenge on bashar al—assad." just days ago, rebels freed thousands of prisoners here on their march to damascus, amazed at this sudden recovery of their lives. the empty cells a striking image of how much has changed, but many believe this isn't the end — people still trapped, they think, in an underground prison. the syrian civil defence group the white helmets has joined the search. translation: we believe there's a network of cells. with prisoners beneath the jail, but we haven't yet been able to find

barbara plett usher has the latest.sian air strike in the stronghold south—west of aleppo. the escalation in the civil war has killed hundreds of fighters on both sides but again civilians are victims. thousands of people have been displaced, fleeing aleppo and areas around idlib. their lives upended by the rebels's you need battles. translation: we are following the news and god willing the regime will fall. we the news and god willing the regime will fall.— regime will fall. we can't niuht regime will fall. we can't night and _ regime will fall. we can't night and day _ regime will fall. we can't night and day to - regime will fall. we can't night and day to return i regime will fall. we can't| night and day to return as regime will fall. we can't - night and day to return as the kids are tired and shocked. we came here in al-quds and nothing else. the speedy capture of aleppo took everyone by surprise. the rebels continue their advance but here the city is coming to terms with a new normal. a chance for those driven

barbara plett usher has the latest. the speedy capture of aleppo took everyone by surprise. their advance, but the city is coming to terms with a new normal. presidents are advised to defeat the rebels. there are different signals being sent because it seems that also from sources we have spoken to that assad had already sent messages to the turks to find a way to sit on the negotiation table. but they have not been any response. it is a sign that he is really under pressure and trying to regain control over what he has lost already. so given that he's under so much pressure, what does all of this mean for the assad regime? well, i think the opposition are too optimistic in saying that or believing that the regime is going to fall. this is a strong regime that managed to stay in power over a decade, of course, supported by air forces from the russians and militias on the ground by the iranians and hezbollah. but that equation is also changing because both sides, you know, the iranians and hezbollah have been, you know, weakened by israel. however, you know, defeating assad a

let's speak to our correspondent barbara plett usher in beirut. the speed of this rebel advance. it started just over a week ago and they swept into aleppo with almost no resistance force of the government crew seem to have completely folded. there was fighting around hama but at some point the syrian army pulled back. now based on their own communications, the rebel operation centre, they say they are making this very speedy advance on homs, passing through those two towns you mentioned and they are now on the outskirts of homs. it is not the thing that we have been able to independently verify but a war monitor is reporting the same kind of things. so keeping a very close eye on that. the main allies of the syrian regime, russia and iran, have not responded with a great deal of help so far. we understand that the russians carried out air strikes, including one on a bridge between the cities of homs including one on a bridge between the cities of horns and hama to try to slow the events and the iranians are said to be providing intelligence and s

serious and credible political process to end syria's 13—year civil war. 0ur correspondent barbara plett usherom neighbouring lebanon. chanting. a stunning victory for the rebels, even they overcome with its swiftness and success just three days after launching a surprise offensive from their stronghold in northwest syria. this is the most serious challenge to president assad in years. a carefully planned attack. they stormed back into aleppo for the first time since assad's army forced them out at the height of the war, this time meeting almost no resistance. translation: after hard workj and patience from the fighters, the city of aleppo has been completely liberated, thank god. and by god's will, we will reach horns and damascus too. this is a joint force of rebel groups, led by the islamist hayat tahrir al—sham, or hts. it used to be linked to al-qaeda but cut ties from the group years ago. hts is listed as a terrorist organisation by the us and others. it controls most of the northwestern province of idlib, the last remaining opposition stronghold after more than a decade of civil war. th

barbara plett usher, bbc news.er a week of negotiations, delegates from around the world could not agree on a unanimous declaration. let's speak to eirik lindebjerg, the global plastics policy lead at the world wildlife federation who has been at the conference in busan. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. i wondered if i could first get your reaction to this collapse of the talks andindeed to this collapse of the talks and indeed they come after more than two years of negotiations. yes, they do. the negotiators are now deciding to suspend the meeting and continue later. the meetings saw a really vast majority of countries uniting around globally binding measures and at the end only to see that being stopped by a few countries and the need for consensus. it's obviously very serious in terms of the failure to address the plastic pollution crisis because we can't really wait to stop plastic pollution.- can't really wait to stop plastic pollution. can't really wait to stop lastic ollution. ~ ., ., , plastic

joining me now is our correspondent barbara plett usher in beirut.offensive it seems to be continuing apace by the rebels?— the rebels? yes, they launch their offensive _ the rebels? yes, they launch their offensive last _ the rebels? yes, they launch their offensive last week - the rebels? yes, they launch their offensive last week and i their offensive last week and took the city of aleppo almost without resistance, that was a very speedy seizure of the city which surprised everybody, and then they pushed south to the next big city, hama, and the government did put up resistance, damascus sent reinforcements of soldiers to fight them off and they have been fighting there over the last couple of days but now they have managed to take the city. they have moved into hama and seize control of the prison and seize control of the prison and released inmates and the army said it was redeploying outside hama to prevent civilian casualties. it seems to be another big retreat by the army and another big victory for the rebels and that is going to send shock

barbara plett usher- _ reality for many syrians. many syrians. barbara plett usher. 13 minutes - reality for many syrians. barbara plett usher. 13 minutes past - reality for many syrians. barbara plett usher. 13 minutes past six. you might think that a watch with a built in thermometer, calendar, shock absorber and stopwatch is pretty modern. well, take a look at this. this pocket watch, which has all those features, among others, was commissioned more than 240 years ago, for the french queen, marie antoinette. it's gone on display at the london science museum, where curators have described it as the smartwatch of its time. sadly for her, marie antoinette never got to enjoy this watch because it was not completed until after her execution during the french revolution. that is an intricate piece of work. i was told a fact about this watch early this morning. that the mechanics are so precise, it allowed for a leap year. so you didn't have to adjust that watch for the leap year. and even now you think when something does it is quite c

barbara plett usher has the latest. ra plett usher has the latest. . , barbara plett usher has the latest. ., , ., , latest. it really does feel like it's beginning - latest. it really does feel like it's beginning to - latest. it really does feel like it's beginning to get| latest. it really does feel - like it's beginning to get back to normal. there's quite a lot of traffic and as we were driving down the street we could see a number of cafes and shops had begun to open. several government agencies have called for people to come back to work. there has been a real effort to try and get things up and running. the rebel leader abu mohammed al—jolani has said he wanted a transition to keep services running. he seems aware that is very important. i was down in the main square in damascus and their youngsters and people coming up to a tank showing peace signs. an islamic sheik came up to me and said, we are not going back, we are only going forward. there won't be revenge. this will be a syria for its people no matter thei

our correspondent, barbara plett usher has this report. they are alive. moments after the bombs struck. footage posted by the syrian civil defence group, the white helmets, shows the aftermath of an attack on the rebel stronghold of idlib, south—west of aleppo. the regime is fighting back. thousands of people have been displaced, fleeing aleppo and areas around idlib. their lives suddenly upended by this escalation in syria's civil war. translation: we are following the battle news and god willing | the regime will fall. we count night and day to return as the kids are tired and shocked. we left and came here in our clothes and nothing else. the speedy capture of aleppo took everyone by surprise. a devastating blow to the assad regime. the resurgents continue their advance, but here the city is coming to terms with a new normal. some are fearful of the anti—government rebels, but so far people continue with their daily lives. and for those driven out by previous battles, a chance to come home. translation: | returned to| aleppo after it was liberated, aft

that was our correspondent barbara plett usher who has made it into damascus. who has made it into damascus. barbara will bejoining us in a few minutes on bbc news with more of what she has been able to witness in damascus. with the flag of the syrian opposition displayed on his desk, this is how a news anchor on syrian tv, reacted after rebels declared they had taken damascus. translation: in the name of allah, the most graceful, _ translation: in the name of allah, the most graceful, gracious, - translation: in the name of allah, the most graceful, gracious, the - the most graceful, gracious, the most merciful, the proud people of our nation, the time has come and the sun of freedom has risen, the time has come to lift the oppression and dispel the darkness overshadowing our beloved country. we are the rightful owners and this land belongs to us. we, the syrian people, of all sects mccullers and walks of life stand united, hand looking forward to a brighter tomorrow, a future where injustice and tyranny are eradicated —— and colours and walks of life. let's sp

reassurance, calm rather than chaos but things are uncertain and everyone is waiting to see barbara plett usherthese are pictures of members of the rebel forces rushing to the central bank in damascus to stop the bank from being looted. guns are being fired to scare off looters, boxes of currency are being collected to be transported to another location. these picturesjust coming in on the last short while, just to recap what we're this is the central bank in damascus. we are told that these are rebel forces from hts, as it is known, going to the bank, firing guns in the air, to stop looters, and then boxes of currency being collected, to be transported to another location. so, everyone watching very closely, any moments like this in the capital, damascus, elsewhere in the country, to see if there are signs of an attempt to impose order, to impose some sort of stability, to take control. so, an interesting moment to observe in these pictures from the syrian capital. let's speak to syrian activist razan saffour. she is at the doha forum. thank you very much forjoining us. you are not in the coun