World Tour: One year anniversary in Syria

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NICK EICHER, HOST: Coming up next on The World and Everything in It: WORLD Tour with our reporter in Africa, Onize Oduah.

ONIZE ODUAH: We begin today with celebrations in Syria, as the Middle Eastern nation marks one year since the fall of former President Bashar Assad.

People crowded the streets of Damascus, waving flags and watching a military parade.

On December 8th last year, rebels led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham seized control of Damascus after their offensive began in the city of Aleppo. Assad fled the country and remains in exile in Moscow.

The Islamist group’s leader Ahmad al-Sharaa now serves as Syria’s interim president.

Ghaith Tarabin attended the Damascus rally.

GHAITH TARABIN: [ARABIC] We hope that things improve in the future, and we hope that the government work harder on civil peace and give it high priority, and on domestic matters, God willing.

He says that he hopes the government works on civil peace and prioritizes domestic matters.

Syria is still grappling with sectarian tensions and the aftermath of 14 years of civil war.

Syria’s al-Sharaa reemphasized his commitment to reconciliation in the country.

AL-SHARA: [ARABIC] We reaffirm our commitment to the principle of transitional justice to ensure accountability for all those who violated the law and committed crimes against the Syrian people.

He says he will ensure accountability for all those who committed crimes against the Syrian people.

Next we head to Southeast Asia, where clashes have escalated between neighbors Thailand and Cambodia.

Fighting resumed after a Sunday night skirmish at their shared border, where one Thai soldier died. Both countries have accused each other of breaking an October ceasefire.

On Tuesday, leaders on both sides said the fighting will continue.

The violence has sent thousands of people on both sides of the border fleeing for safety.

FARMER: [THAI] The situation affects us a lot. We’re ordinary people trying to make a living. I have to tap rubber at night but now I can’t. I also have debts, and my children need to go to school. If I can’t go out to tap rubber, I have no income

This Thai farmer says the fighting has stopped her from working at night and kept her children from school.

U.S. President Donald Trump asked both sides to honor their commitment to end the tension.

Thailand and Cambodia have a decadeslong history of fighting over disputed territory. The conflict goes back to when Thailand opposed a map created in 1907 while Cambodia was still under French rule.

Over to the West African nation of Benin, where some normalcy has returned after a failed coup attempt on Sunday.

AUDIO: [TELEVISION ADDRESS]

In a televised address, a group of military personnel announced they had ousted President Patrice Talon. But only a few hours later, authorities announced the coup attempt had failed.

A government official confirmed soldiers from Nigeria and Ivory Coast helped to restore order..

The coup leader is still on the run but several others have been arrested.

President Talon thanked the troops who remained loyal to the country.

TALON: [FRENCH] This commitment and mobilisation allowed us to thwart these adventurers and save our country. This treachery will not go unpunished.

He says they allowed the country to thwart the coup, adding that the treachery won’t go unpunished.

SOUND: [PROTESTORS]

In Germany, some 3,000 people marched in Berlin to decry a controversial new military service bill. Many of the protestors were young people.

Last week, Germany’s lower house of parliament voted to mandate all 18-year-old men to fill out a questionnaire gauging their interest in military service. The survey will be voluntary for women.

Lawmakers hope the form and a monthly salary of over $3000 USD will entice more youths to join the military.

Students joined similar demonstrations in more than 90 cities across the country.

Tess Datzer joined the protests in Berlin.

TESS DATZER: [GERMAN] There is no investment in our pensions, not in our future, not in the climate. I don’t see any good reasons why our generation should have to go to war.

She says her generation can’t go to war for a country that does not invest in its future.

Germany is seeking to boost its troops to meet new NATO requirements and also bolster its defenses. Last month, France announced a 10-month voluntary military training for men and women, mostly 18 and 19-year-olds.

If Germany’s upper house also approves the plan, it is expected to begin in January.

Our final story today is also from Germany, where one family has broken their own record for the largest number of decorated Christmas trees in one place.

The record official counted 621 trees in Susanne and Thomas Jeromin’s house, finding them everywhere from the kitchen to the bathroom.

THOMAS JEROMIN: [GERMAN] Decorating is fun in itself, at least for me, even if it is a lot of work.

Thomas Jeromin says decorating is fun, but it’s a lot of work. They start in June, and people always call them crazy:

JEROMIN: [GERMAN] For me, it's just wonderful, totally beautiful, whether young or old, people come in here and leave with a smile on their face.

But he says it’s worth it to see the smiles on the faces of everyone who visits.

That’s this week’s World Tour. I’m Onize Oduah.

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