STORY: Syrians look toward 2025 with hope for peace, stability
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 20 & 24, 2024
DATELINE: Dec. 25, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:41
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: POLITICS/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP (English): HUMMAM SHEIKH ALI, Xinhua reporter
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): RANA KANJ, Syrian citizen
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): AYAMA, Syrian citizen
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): KHALID, Syrian citizen
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Arabic): KHOLOUD, Syrian citizen

STORYLINE:

STANDUP (English): HUMMAM SHEIKH ALI, Xinhua reporter
"As 2024 draws to a close, Syria stands at the cusp of a new era.
It's been a couple of weeks since the sudden collapse of the old political system, and daily life here in Damascus is slowly reassembling itself.
Shops have reopened, students have returned to schools, flights between Damascus and Aleppo have resumed, and people are adjusting to a world that's still uncertain but no longer defined by years of conflict.
Now, as we look ahead to the coming year, local people here tell me the same thing over and over: they want peace. They want safe streets, fair prices for bread and essentials, stable jobs, and the freedom to plan their futures without outside interference."

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): RANA KANJ, Syrian citizen
"My general wish is for the country to improve under this new situation in the coming year. I want to finish my studies this year and do well. I also hope that peace and love will spread among everyone. Those are my wishes for now."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): AYAMA, Syrian citizen
"I hope the country gets better, just the way we want. We're done with one phase, so hopefully the next one will be much better."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): KHALID, Syrian citizen
"My wish for the new year is that it brings a lot of good to Syria. We're one in the end, we're all brothers. Hopefully, in the coming years, we can show everyone just what we're capable of."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Arabic): KHOLOUD, Syrian citizen
"My wish for 2025 is for security and safety to prevail, so that when we think about our plans, we're not only planning how to secure the basics of life. Instead, we can build a future for ourselves and our children. I hope we can invest in these kids, so that when they grow up, they don't carry the same worries we had in the past."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)