at that hour old, damascus. and the rest of the city was gripped by significant tensions attention. arose from reports that the army was withdrawn from certain areas in the damascus country side. this withdrawal was accompanied by immense fear among the syrians. i woke up at 2 am to the sound of gunfire. at that point i started communicating with my friends, both those in damascus and those outside the city. some friends in damascus told me to stay calm and that the groups entering various areas of the damascus countryside weren't causing any harm. there was no immediate danger, but we would hear a chance of a low bar and gunfire. people were understandably scared. no one dared to leave their homes. we knew that arm groups were entering, but we didn't know how they were treating civilians. we stayed inside our homes avoiding any interaction with the former regime for the new groups entering damascus, ultimately as minorities living and bob to my a christian neighborhood. our lives were at risk despite being she

and of course, the most important one is whether there will be flies from damascus and to damascus . europe. so the pin ition association saying that perhaps that will happen in that time in, in, in march. but in any way, the domestic device has started last month. and now in the 1st vehicle of the january, nobody seemed it's a national fly source to happen and cut the data is going to fly 3 times a week. and then in the coming weeks, they are planning to increase the number of flies. and of course, the student airlines also is planning to increase the number of international nice, of course destinations as well. yep. and not to categorize flight you 2 lines in around 2 hours time. russell time being thanks very much. i slow, seriously, administration is facing a bank clash after announcing changes to the school curriculum, including the scrapping of into subjects and books that being protested against the move at some university campuses. how should my, how barbara has more now from damascus? this is a school for syria as most talented many have known to attend, since the full of as

we've just arrived in the centre of damascus.celebration, but also lots of gunfire. the main square, umayyad square, is filled with people, packed full of people. they are in the streets, but the majority of the people who are on the ground now are the rebels controlling the situation. gunfire this is the main square. behind me is the state television. this is the centre of damascus and people are celebrating. there's lots of gunfire in the air outgoing. gunfire this square, the umayyad square, the syrians have always thought about celebrating one day, and now they seem to have achieved their dream. as we drove through the city, lots of abandoned army and security positions, official costumes thrown on the way. you know, it seems the official army and security have abandoned and left. there is mixed feeling here inside the city about, you know, celebration, but also wondering what's going to happen next. 0ne army position after the other, one security position after the other, abandoned. a tank on the right—hand side, abandoned.

we've just arrived in the centre of damascus.lebration, but also lots of gunfire. the main square, umayyad square, is filled with people, packed full of people. they are in the streets, but the majority of the people who are on the ground now are the rebels controlling the situation. gunfire this is the main square. behind me is the state television. this is the centre of damascus and people are celebrating. there's lots of gunfire in the air outgoing. gunfire this square, the umayyad square, the syrians have always thought about celebrating one day, and now, they seem to have achieved their dream. as we drove through the city, lots of abandoned army and security positions, official costumes thrown on the way. you know, it seems the official army and security have abandoned and left. there is mixed feeling here inside the city about, you know, celebration, but also wondering what's going to happen next. 0ne army position after the other, one security position after the other, abandoned. a tank on the right—hand side, abandoned. l

jerry and the diplomat to damascus. so the passengers that were coming from the house to damascus once they got out of, out of the plain jesse and such a celebrated, remove their chanting slogans off pretty syria. and also, another icon is organ in syria in the masters, particularly that is so much of a piece of price that you have. now you are at the syrian, i've spoken to one of the passengers as it has arrived from the house. and instead of the 12 years, this is going to be the 1st time that he's going to see his family and many more have such same stories here. so also you have seen that at the recent room that our families waiting for the loved ones. some of them are going to see that so that you view nice of the, almost a decade. so now, today we are going to see 2 more to naturalize, but this time is not going to be to this, the master stair, it for the best, rather from damascus. airport city and airlines is going to have 2 slides through the united out of the cameras. and when we're waiting for them to hear fro

this is the university of damascus. there was a great deal of uncertainty about what's next. but many enjoy what the describe as freedom of to the over the old, the regime nationalism as a set subject has completely been removed. and that is the most drastic change that has happened to the school students as of now. but so for now, we have to wait until the future and maybe we'll, we'll see what the good things will happen or, god forbid that or, but for the testers here in front of the minister of education, say the new administration doesn't have a monday to change the curriculum, they won't that to happen when there is an elected bottom in the temporary government, doesn't have a legitimate power to do so to impose changes, especially that's better isn't it goes to fusion now to, to allow such measures to be taken off of the backlash the ministry now says most of the curriculum will remain intact and that specialized committees would be full to review and audit them. is this, the, is the education over hold good road? the promise of building an inclusive society of others

, and the hope to expand the number of companies to flight to damascus. they are saying that there was thoughts with the cutoff lines and then they are hoping to see more regional adeline companies trouble to damascus. why is it important to us? because 1st of all, they want to send a message. the life is back to normal in syria until a low hundreds of thousands of serious live abroad to come back home. and also it's a message to the international community that the new administration, which is in control. and despite the situation across the country, they are managing to ensure safety standards across the country before have to head of shawn to a pallet and sorry it had been running most of the northwest in provence. have it lives. id is the local people side, the page, the taxes and public services ran effectively. now this hope this can be repeated across the country. mohammed fall reports from england is driving you too easily. when already notices the tightness of the streets by local laws, every household should pay a cleanliness tax. it blips infra

some friends in damascus told me to stay calm and that the groups entering various areas of the damascus countryside weren't causing any harm. there was no immediate danger, but we would hear a chance of a low bar and gunfire. people were understandably scared. no one dared to leave their homes. we knew that arm groups were entering, but we didn't know how they were treating civilians. we stayed inside our homes avoiding any interaction with the former regime for the new groups entering damascus, ultimately as minorities living and bob to my a christian neighborhood. our lives were at risk despite being she a muslims, we were born or both to murder a solve for having our freedoms curtail. as i understand there were many, many thousands of people that fled syria of to the type of regime to power. you were among these people, can you just tell us about how and in fact, why you decided to at least area and a little bit about the people that were, were leaving on the 1st day after the resumes form the groups entering were not extremes like hyatt every or all shot or jump out on those for the

and the hope to expand the number of companies to slide to damascus. they are saying that there was thoughts with the cutoff lines and then they are hoping to see more regional adeline companies trouble to damascus. why is it important to us for the 1st of all, they want to send that message. the life is back to normal in syria until a law, 100 of thousands of serious live up roads to come back home. and also it's a message to the international community that the new administration, which is in control. and despite the situation across the country, they are managing to ensure safety standards across the country. now the would you look at the trips made by international delegations yesterday, the germans and the friends. that's a mess is widely interpreted. have isaiah forward. it is that there is a vote for trust to be built here, and they are hoping to connect syria with the international global market. this is something very crucial for this administration because they know that the i'm coming weeks before we start asking questions about salaries, li

so it is at least 2 slides from damascus. so the 1st one is, cuts are aways, and then 2nd one is going to be the syrian anyways, actually flying from damascus to dubai. and he said that says that based on that will be in regular flies, a new destination are going to be added to. this is a national, international flight. just remember phase of the, of the photos, the side of the game. definitely the 1st domestic slide from the capital city, damascus to the 2nd largest city of the company on april and or sort of these back then we're saying that they will assume both ways. also may be this for a 4th, particularly in damascus and other people make some ready for the to match the flights as well. know that this is a porch in the head of the city that be asian. also seeing that we are yeah. should in all the arab and the international a lives that the, the legislation here, the civil additional 4th year is at this stage of me it's navigation. both the did the air force in damascus. um and i level and being ready to receive an inte

and the hope to expand the number of companies to flight to damascus. they are saying that there was thoughts with the cutoff allies and then they are hoping to see more regional adeline companies trouble to damascus. why is it important to us? because 1st of all, they want to send a message that life is back to normal in syria. until a low hundreds of thousands of serious live abroad to come back home. and also it's a message to the international community that the new administration which is in control. and despite the situation across the country, they are managing to ensure safety standards across the country. before that, so here i'll show it to a pallet in syria. it had been running most of the northwest improvements of it late for 8 years, like what people say, they pay the taxes and the public services run effectively. now this hope this can be repeated across the country. i'm involved report stuff from ellipse. the pricing get to easily when already notices the tightness of the streets by local laws, every household should pay a cleanliness tax

how shall i, who has more details from damascus? it has a significant political and economic implication since december the 8th. when the rebels with the opposition flights of stairs over damascus, the flies were suspended and then life stood still because of huge security concerns about the situation. and then the new administration has been in touch with kiwi to the players, particularly cuts off who owns the need to help them rehabilitate that they have. both of them ask us to be aligned with international safety standards that has been done to laws extend to the point why they have to decide if that's on the 7th of january, there was thoughts, commercial flights in and out of damascus. and the hope to expend the number of companies to flight, to damascus. they are saying that there was thoughts with the cutoff lines, and then they are hoping to see more regional adeline companies trouble to damascus . why is it important to us? because 1st of all, they want to send a message that life is back to normal in syria until a low hundr

us now from damascus. james, so it was really interesting listening to your report just now tell us about the diplomacy that's happening right now. right. we said that uh nc, blinking the us secretary of state is in europe right now, meeting european foreign ministers. what are they talking about? what are they trying to achieve, of the that meeting, starting actually at about 40 minutes so, so from now in the residence of the italian, a foreign minister in rome, having a dinner that this evening. it's the so called quint, which is the 4 major european powers. so the u. k. fronts, germany and italy, the you will so that the high rep sends to the you for foreign policy and the united states. and they are going to try to line the serial strategy and try and make sure that the major western countries are role in the same place. because one of the problems is that anthony, blinking represents that administration is when you go to a very short period. and power left, but they're going to trying to log into that

i named to offer you guys we have damascus video ma. well, let me show you so it's an incredible feeling. words cannot describe my feelings. my soul has been here since the day of liberation. i came with the 1st plan available, syria is alice. now. the celebrations continuing inside the pool. people are welcome, read through some coffee and seminars of united damascus international airport was damaged when to redeem felt loss moans and as, as will. yeah. and how does that syria has been isolated from abroad? and as you can see today, damascus international airport has thoughts on working again, we're trying to activate how we have it because of the vandalizing by the former regime, only areas with the regime head and present state tried to destroy it. we would todd in order to be able to build the airport back again and to be able to make it operational again. this was done and coordination with our custody brothers who played an important and crucial role. what sort of these here said the technical conditions of the airport will be app

so you had the french and the germans in damascus. and again, you know, exercising portion of because of the complexities of syria because of the complexities of the history of this group that was affiliated with all 5. the way back in the early days of the syrian war, it has a, you know, breached it, just broken those ties. but many people still cautious. there's been a change recently in the education curriculum in syria, which is raising red flags to many countries that want syria to be all inclusive, to be secular, to be inclusive of, you know, the christians, the cards, etc, etc. so it is very complicated, but the message coming out from this interim administration is that syria will be for oh, but again, like the countries you know, that include the united states that include many european countries, even turkey, even though turkey under the table does have relations with this group still considered a terrorist organization. so that is something that the interim government will be very keen to get so returned. and this for many

it's great to be back in damascus. i visited during the campaign trail. the governor was kind enough to show me around, not just last time but this time as well. as you all know, i love the appalachian region of our country, especially this particular part. it's beautiful. the people are kind and friendly, and they've got a great community here, but obviously got slammed very hard by the hurricane, and i think unfortunately while the people have done an incredible job of rebuilding this community, they have not had a federal government that's really been on their side. i've heard so many stories just in the last hour that i've been on the ground of federal agencies that have not developed and deployed the resources necessary, federal bureaucrats that have been a barrier as opposed to a facilitator of some of the federal resources, and i think the country has decided collectively that we want to help the regions of our country that were devastated by this flood. so why are the bureaucrats not doing the american people's will and frankly holding up some of

this is the university of damascus. there is a great deal of uncertainty about what's next, but many enjoy what the describe as freedom of to the over. so old, the regime nationalism as a set subject has completely been removed and that is the most drastic change that has happened to the school students as of now. but so for now, we have to wait until the future and maybe we'll, we'll see what the good things will happen or, god forbid that things. but for testers here in front of the minister of education, say the new administration doesn't have a monday to change the curriculum. they won't that to happen when there is an elected bottom. and the temporary government doesn't have a legitimate power to do so to impose changes, especially that's there isn't, it goes to fusion now to, to allow such measures to be taken off of the backlash. the ministry now says most of the curriculum will remain intact and that specialized committees with the full to review and all the of them. the biggest, the, is that the education over

i showed how can i help our reports from damascus? the trips by suez, but it's all fine up as i saw the sea vanya occlusal, for the people of syria, for different reasons. first of all is going to enable syria to reconnect with the weld bill ties with the regional players and try to convince the international community for more financial and political support. but also the ultimate goal here is trying to convince the americans in particular and the a you to stop lifting the sanctions on syria. now this is a country that needs millions of dollars to try to rebuild the country and also improve the living standards of the city and people who are desperate for a news thoughts. and it is through diplomatic recognition, through a financial support from the international community that they can manage to achieve that goal. now, when you looked at the big picture, see is also looking forward to see what happens next when the national come phones saw. so this is the moment where the new administration, which is in power, is going to invite syr

and to damascus, says over a shot at us. not turning the syrians or among the 1st passengers to touch down on tuesday. we're still set reports from the capital or the raise your hand. you would have pretty serious these passages chance on the 1st international commercial flight to damascus. sees the full of this sound that many of them were borrowed from. returning to celia by deciding mcgee, some have not seen the family members for more than a decade. just a moment of joy and gratitude when they cut their away's blade lands in damascus, bundle and you'll take with all my children because i think we must have the story together. this is my daughter. yes me. she was 42012. i named to offer you guys we to damascus. video ma. well, let me show you my. it's an incredible feeling. words cannot describe my feelings. my soul has been here since the day of liberation. i came with the 1st plan available, syria is alice. now the celebrations continuing inside the pool. people are welcome, read through some coffee and seminars of the

how does it does the damascus? the un security council is holding its 1st meeting of the year on syria with a focus on lifting sanctions. you in special envoy, dear petterson, says more must be done to review restrictions on the new syrian administration of the reasons, the difference, all the new temporary gender licensed by the united states government. but much more significant infinity is addressing sanctions and designations really negatively. the necessary, the is really forces has carried out multiple attacks across casa medical sources. tell alpha 0 at least 40 for palestinians have been killed since dawn on wednesday. the latest is really strength for get to the park and gaza city. 5 people have been killed in the attack. children are among the injured earlier a strike on a school, housing displaced, palestinians in jamalia, killed for palestinians, and injured several others. the wounded were taken to the left of the baptist hospital and gaza city. israel last week. attack be come all at one hospital and

the government, damascus needs to be taken off the terrorism list. and the listing of the sanction, which is a long, long process. but there are temporary measures. the us government has relaxed certain measures to make sure that the necessary aid gets in that monetary need. it's a process that's economic, political, security, and diplomatic. but it all runs power alone, and that needs to be progress on all these levels. mark of agency. now, thank you very much for your thoughts and analysis today. thank you. a secretary of state anthony blank and we'll meet the foreign ministers of the u. k. france, germany and italy enrollments, thursday to discuss serious future or diplomatic edits, or james space has more from damascus, a new flag, and a new hope for the future. the wall. the international community is showing a willingness to engage with a new syria. it's not yet in pricing in the german and french foreign ministers last week. the highest level visitors to damascus since the full of the sides of families, brutal room for the new administration.

the administration in damascus. us problem is that right? so if the cd we've been respected unprotected located because i'm in the process, but nobody will be and we need to confirm my commitment to the values and principles that will boost the human rights and seriously every 30 and regardless of the 6 because the law will prevail and citizenship will apply equally to every one of our sanctions and nearly 14 year civil have left 90 percent of the population living in poverty. the conflict was also the district, much of the country's infrastructure. on monday, the east some of the restrictions on see a link to many dating and relief for 6 months, but damascus, once the assumption was lifted completely to help you rebuild the country and environment just damascus. so it has a has, as a non resident senior saturday for the serial project to atlantic council, he joins us now from damascus. good to speak to somebody from biotech, drastic developments over the past few months. full, but it's serious and 11 and the lease of an opportunity for a ne

of 0, damascus. the new administration in syria has also been increasing its calls with complete removal of us sanctions. 40 minutes to south l shavani says the latest moved by washington to ease restrictions on humanitarian aid should be a step towards all sections being listed. as comments came during a visit to a month, re help folks, shabani has been traveling and at least some showing up supports for new administration in damascus. let's go to the jimmy island, right. that kind of likes to think children for helping to lift the sanctions imposed on syrians by lifting functions, the serene academy will recover, fall, spencer and the situation will be best estimate. now the sections represent a real obstacle. i'm headed to any possible cooperation or investments being serial shuttle. syria has placed security is a top priority. now security forces in the city of homes say they've completed the major operation against the toilets of the assad regime. mohammad, the vote has the story now from homes

to key is another key i live in damascus. how do you see the future of cooperation between damascus and kinda the voltage the see another pollution through our own? it's phase as they wouldn't have a very active role in say yeah, what do we have received to them on the cut over the past few weeks where no message of support is seen this on see it is unity entered atoria instead of doing the thing. what is more significant is that they were seeing on the southwest recovery, and it is storing harmony within syria. and the reason that there is no doubt that searches a neighboring country with along the border line said between both of us, we wish to see it took you as a sustainable online to see it. yes, currently. and in the future, there is undoubtedly, and you do political reality in the beach and with a down full of assets. you would have to deal with the russians who do not agree with the americans. both of these 2 countries have been a basis in syria. how are you going to walk? is a fine line when it comes to dealing with

little shara, in the capital of damascus. it is one of the highest level western diplomatic visits since this time regime was toppled. last month, i saw her bar reports now from damascus and not even a bad bulk. and joe knew when bob ok with a list of demands for the band, who now both syria, the minnesota far enough as and her friends account about aust, the new administration to renounce act of vengeance full and inclusive government protect by novices and to hold elections soon it was a meeting phase to break the ice between the band who has emerged from the shadows and skeptical european officials. oh, pod good. when tested to europe is prepared to offer support. europe will not be a sponsor if you knew as long as structures. this is not only an all or an interest, but it is also everything that i've had time. and again from the many, many people from syria in germany, but also from the many syrians here in the region. earlier in the day, the german diplomat met the white helmets. the search and rescue teams, hope brave d

so update the from damascus. the syrian capital james bays on diplomatic edits are now let's turn to rob geist pin folds. he's electra in international security at kings college london joining us from london. good morning to you now. we've had the from a report to a james base talking about the sanctions and the technicalities. and then you have this a to or if you like, regional. so this feels like less still very much at the beginning of being able to ton international opinion and have trust in this current kind of take a government. yeah, so i think the regional tours potentially crucial linked to this option. so there's 2 ways to save this auctions, release the as been discussed by james, that one is that from the us central point of view, this is the us trying to play catch up. yes, they want the new regime, the new government in syria to basically they want to office functions relief in order to get back new government to commit to things like to you in relation to do 5 people on the holding of rights for t

this is those damascus people to those here every day. many have come from different parts of syria for some. this is the 1st time in the capital title. i'm stuck with a nice, i mean that come in, so i hope the future will be best. uh, there was no life on the i side. we couldn't say anything. we was scared of him and his ami mahmoud is a bookshop own a. most of the new arrivals with bad doing asset for him. the new freedom, his biggest joy, what's his fees? the past economic recovery could be a long way. doesn't even see if the economy has to open up in the sections must be lifted. otherwise people won't see a positive impact. people were humiliated during our search and i hope they get a better start. while many been the, the new administration should be given time. but syria has been ravaged by 13 years of war and decades of instability. and people think the biggest focus should now be stability. yeah, i mean, clearly some food imagines through kind of a basic commodity should be made available like transportation, electricity fuels so

many took over damascus. people were concerned about what would be the reaction of the t regional players and the international community. and then be so more and more delegations troubling to them, asked us to try to test the waters and see what they can do to help syrians not to give this extremely delicates moments. and then when you saw the minister of quite enough, as a father should have added traveling to saudi arabia outside the united autumn. and that is and then to jules and with more about, says use of support. and also messages of a political engagement with the new administration. this comes as a positive news for the people here who are looking forward to see more financial support coming to sylvia. this is a country that has been published by will, and people need more and more international support to be able to move forward. it to them that international supposed to us as beginning, the lifting of some sanctions, the humanitarian exemption for example. but there are growing calls for the risk

i'm at al serra, in the capsule, damascus. as you all know about all done, lena babel co representing the european union and one of the highest level western diplomatic visits since the subdivision was toppled last month. there was lots cool for a peaceful and inclusive transition and say the lifting of sanctions on syria will depend on the country's political future. the german and french, one minister coming to sylvia together in the name of the you. is this form sick know that the politic a new beginning is possible now, and that's the european union will do everything to help that the future will be a free one and a safe one for everybody. a better future for syria means and inclusive peaceful transfer of power. reconciliation and reconstructs. this requires to political dialogue involving all ethnic and religious groups involving men and equally women. that spring in how should male how bar he's all correspondent, live in damascus for us and how she felt a little bit more about the french and german visits that to damascu

here, all right, that's a picture in damascus at russell set up for 40. thanks for so still head here, and i'll just here. i'm drawn ended on bourbon street in new orleans french corner where the shops are back open and police say it's once again secure the relief of yet not yes. to sit a careless, tired here. this is still very active, went with it, but it seems to have pulled back from the show line. so what you get when the rest of the readings gone away, it's the risk for these are the potential for flooding. houston exists and they're still big showers in borneo sort of way see in our west and java. no points east was not sweat for the west, but it's not exactly a dry picture and a half is sumatra k have for indeed, singapore still shall search off of global straightly some down through queens in britain of those few nobody's. there were actually it's have to say, temperatures the thing to wash it and diamond times on the way out for allies in melbourne and camera once he shouts generation because of what happened, don't find many poses cooling down.

james. space that for us in damascus are still set up now has moved from i'll a solid in damascus. it was, it was a bustling fall in the outskirts of damascus, but now you see this is just reduced to the, to the rivals. so we're talking to the people here and they're saying that it was a cat, this real fee for them. it was like they're drawing to paolo's with the knock about the 1948 displacements of palestinians. the say they say they have seen a knock about in damascus. so these last sorry is just a few miles from the city center and the devastation that was inflicted by a set of gym and support. this is just becoming more and more apparent. and so since the end of the class, just in 2017, the local se they have being the place and they have been banned from returning to returning to their homes. so here, right behind me, you will see the, i'm assuming the mosque. it is almost like a stock reminder of what has happened here. and the mosque you see everything is just level down and not only by the war, by the way, in 2020 to the full division that was under the but did the brother

so i'm in the job, he does avita, damascus. the russian energy company gas problems is natural gas exploits to europe via ukraine has been hold hood, the flow stopped in the early hours of new year's day when a transitive deal expired. the european commission says member states have arranged alternative supplies. meanwhile, at least 2 people have been killed in a russian drone strike on ukraine's capital keys. explosions were heard of the air force warned of drones approaching, approaching the city. early on new year's day, the maris cave says 2 buildings were damaged in the attack. let's bring in jonah hall now who is live for us and keep doing that focus through these latest developments in terms of the attack on keys as well. just as off the president zalinski released the video, it's a new year, a dress promising to do everything in his power to bring it into the war with russia in 2025 will russia had a message of its own don't interrupted here on the 1st of january by the sound of the sirens across keys and across the cou

it's light from the heart set to land in damascus. pretty soon international, a plains have already been arriving, and domestic flights resumed last month. so let's cross to damascus international airport wrestles that are standing by for us there and, and russell oh positive, normalizing life in syria in the, in less than amount. now the mask as international airport is receiving the international fly. so there will be 3 flies today. 2 of them are from the city airlines fly into to, to united out of am is shatka and the latest to device. and then in and out in about an hour, you're expecting because of a ways 1st flight. so to land in damascus and be of the 15 years that is going to be the 1st, the 1st uh the flight from the house to, to damascus and a full sees a full shot and the sad on december 8th cars is now going to be the 1st, national airways to fly to damascus and saying that there will be 2 flies for now per week. but later, they're fighting to increase the numbers of flies. and, of course, different definitions as well. a