04:23Syrian citizens expressed their wishes for the new year amid ongoing economic challenges and an escalating war in the region on Saturday in Damascus.
Footage shows people gathering in front of the New Year tree and enjoying decorations at the ancient Bab Tuma, the Gate of Thomas, in the old city of Damascus.
"I wish that the whole country would be fine and the economic situation would improve because people are exhausted. God willing, it will be a blessed new year for everyone," said Abo Ahmad, a resident of Damascus, and added, "We are overcoming the difficulties we are going through, and we must rejoice, bring our children out and entertain ourselves a little".
Mohammed, an expatriate who came to celebrate the Christmas holidays and New Year's Eve in Syria was surprised by the high prices.
"As for the prices, I recognised huge differences compared to the prices outside the country, meaning that despite being an expatriate, I found the prices pretty high, so how would it be to the people in the country? We ask God to help them," said Mohammed.
Another resident, Robin, is in her final year of law school, and hopes to graduate next year to make her family happy.
"I hope that Syria will return to what it was and be better economically, that expatriates will return, and that people will unite to rebuild our country," she added.
Syria's economic situation was severely hit after the civil war that devastated the country for over a decade, while the territory is still suffering the consequences of the earthquake that took place in February. Sanctions imposed by the Western countries have also reportedly gravely affected the Syrian economy.
'It will be a blessed new year for everyone' - People in Damascus share hopes for 2024 amid economic challenges
Syrian citizens expressed their wishes for the new year amid ongoing economic challenges and an escalating war in the region on Saturday in Damascus.
Footage shows people gathering in front of the New Year tree and enjoying decorations at the ancient Bab Tuma, the Gate of Thomas, in the old city of Damascus.
"I wish that the whole country would be fine and the economic situation would improve because people are exhausted. God willing, it will be a blessed new year for everyone," said Abo Ahmad, a resident of Damascus, and added, "We are overcoming the difficulties we are going through, and we must rejoice, bring our children out and entertain ourselves a little".
Mohammed, an expatriate who came to celebrate the Christmas holidays and New Year's Eve in Syria was surprised by the high prices.
"As for the prices, I recognised huge differences compared to the prices outside the country, meaning that despite being an expatriate, I found the prices pretty high, so how would it be to the people in the country? We ask God to help them," said Mohammed.
Another resident, Robin, is in her final year of law school, and hopes to graduate next year to make her family happy.
"I hope that Syria will return to what it was and be better economically, that expatriates will return, and that people will unite to rebuild our country," she added.
Syria's economic situation was severely hit after the civil war that devastated the country for over a decade, while the territory is still suffering the consequences of the earthquake that took place in February. Sanctions imposed by the Western countries have also reportedly gravely affected the Syrian economy.
Syrian citizens expressed their wishes for the new year amid ongoing economic challenges and an escalating war in the region on Saturday in Damascus.
Footage shows people gathering in front of the New Year tree and enjoying decorations at the ancient Bab Tuma, the Gate of Thomas, in the old city of Damascus.
"I wish that the whole country would be fine and the economic situation would improve because people are exhausted. God willing, it will be a blessed new year for everyone," said Abo Ahmad, a resident of Damascus, and added, "We are overcoming the difficulties we are going through, and we must rejoice, bring our children out and entertain ourselves a little".
Mohammed, an expatriate who came to celebrate the Christmas holidays and New Year's Eve in Syria was surprised by the high prices.
"As for the prices, I recognised huge differences compared to the prices outside the country, meaning that despite being an expatriate, I found the prices pretty high, so how would it be to the people in the country? We ask God to help them," said Mohammed.
Another resident, Robin, is in her final year of law school, and hopes to graduate next year to make her family happy.
"I hope that Syria will return to what it was and be better economically, that expatriates will return, and that people will unite to rebuild our country," she added.
Syria's economic situation was severely hit after the civil war that devastated the country for over a decade, while the territory is still suffering the consequences of the earthquake that took place in February. Sanctions imposed by the Western countries have also reportedly gravely affected the Syrian economy.