Syria: Assad's police threatened to bury me and my reporting. Now I'm back, and free

Lina Sinjab, a correspondent for the BBC, shares her poignant return to Damascus after she was forced to flee the city in 2013 amidst the throes of war. Sinjab, who had been threatened by Assad's police with grave consequences for her reporting, found herself back in a city that had been central to her life and career, now changed yet familiar. Reflecting on her return, Sinjab conveys a mixture of emotions – from the haunting memories of threats to the tangible sense of freedom she feels being back. The Damascus that she left was a city engulfed in conflict, where the act of reporting the truth was met with intimidation and violence. The regime's threats against journalists were not just verbal; they were a grim reminder of the risks that came with exposing the realities of war. Despite these challenges, Sinjab's return is not just a personal journey but also a professional triumph. It symbolizes not only her resilience as a journalist but also sheds light on the ongoing complexities and the resilience of the Syrian capital itself. Through her eyes, we catch glimpses of what Damascus has endured and how the threads of normalcy and devastation are interwoven. As Sinjab navigates the streets of her return, her story is a testament to the courage it takes to confront one's past and the power of journalism in the face of oppression. Her experience underscores the importance of free press and the unyielding spirit of those who strive to report the truth, no matter the cost