Watch: BBC reporter returns to childhood home destroyed in Syria civil war

Feras Killani grew up in Yarmouk in Damascus, which saw brutal fighting between rebel and government forces.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatch LiveHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersWatch: BBC reporter returns to childhood home destroyed in Syria civil warYarmouk refugee camp in Damascus became synonymous with the suffering of the Syrian people during the country's civil war, which began in 2011.

It was the de facto capital of the Palestinian refugee diaspora in the Middle East, housing around 150,000 people. But it was destroyed in the conflict, enduring a siege and brutal fighting between rebel fighters and government forces, then occupation by the Islamic State group.

Now, after the collapse of the Assad regime, people have begun returning home, including BBC Arabic's Feras Killani, who grew up there with his family, before they left in 2013.

SaveExplore MoreBBC goes inside Syrian prison holding IS detainees3 days agoMiddle EastWatch: BBC speaks to Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa5 days agoMiddle EastWatch: Dancing crowds in Aleppo celebrate end of Assad regime13 Dec 2024Middle EastSongs and celebrations at Damascus rally13 Dec 2024Middle EastJeremy Bowen: Assad's palace, once a symbol of power, now an empty shell12 Dec 2024Middle EastBBC sees crowd surge over rumoured execution of Assad henchman11 Dec 2024Middle EastSyria rebels burn tomb of Bashar al-Assad's father11 Dec 2024Middle EastRelatives of those killed and imprisoned react after Assad's fall9 Dec 2024Middle EastCelebratory gunfire as Syrians cross border from Lebanon9 Dec 2024Middle East'People are seizing the moment to enjoy victory'9 Dec 2024Middle EastWomen prisoners told 'you can go out now' by Syrian rebels9 Dec 2024Middle EastBBC reporter: 'First time I've come to Syria without fear of arrest'8 Dec 2024Middle EastWatch: BBC sees looting at Bashar al-Assad's residence8 Dec 2024Middle EastBBC in Umayyad Square amid deafening gunfire8 Dec 2024Middle EastWatch: Assad residence stormed in Damascus8 Dec 2024Middle EastWatch: The final hours of the Assad regime8 Dec 2024Middle EastWatch: BBC reports from inside Damascus8 Dec 2024Middle EastCrowds gather in Damascus after rebels declare city 'free'8 Dec 2024Middle EastStatue of Bashar al-Assad's father toppled in Damascus suburb7 Dec 2024Middle EastTracking Syrian rebels' lightning offensive as they approach key city6 Dec 2024Middle EastMoment former Syrian president's statue toppled in HamaRebels say they have taken full control of a second major city, after the military withdrew its troops.

BBC Verify tracks week of rebel advances in SyriaIt’s been one week since rebel forces launched their largest offensive against the Syrian government in years. BBC Verify has been tracking their advances.

https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cdjgryg391jo

---