Welcome to the documentary from the BBC World Service.

This is the fifth floor.

The fifth floor, you knowsson.

This is the fifth floor at Farnak Amidi Sobath. This is the fifth floor at the heart of global storytelling with BBC journalists from all around the world.

I'm your host, Farak Amidi.

In the first week of December 2024, Syrians woke up to a new reality.

A momentous day in the Middle East, the family dynasty that controlled Syria for more than half a century,

is no longer in power with President Bashar al-Assad having fled the country as rebel forces closed

in on the capital Damascus.

This is where people are celebrating in the central Omaid Square, civilians and rebels.

You can hear the sound of celebratory gunfire.

People are driving around in their cars.

They're giving me peace signs.

They're saying that life is going to be so much better now that Bashar al-Assad is gone.

But there is a mix of joy.

It's an indescribable feeling.

We're so happy.

After all the years of dictatorship, we're at the moment that we're going to build the greatest Syria.

What's happened since?

Salma Khatab from BBC Arabic has just been to Syria and can give us the latest. Hi, Salma.

Welcome to the fifth floor. Hi, Farnik. Happy to be with you today. So right now there is a new

government in Damascus. It's led by Ahmed al-Shara. He was formerly known as Abu Muhammad al-Jolani. Tell us, who is Ahmed al-Shara. He was formerly known as Abu Mohamed Al-Jolani. Tell us who is Ahmed al-Shara.

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