Damascus Time (به وقت شام)

In January 2011, Syria plunged into crisis with a civil war.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the head of the ISIS terrorist group sought to establish his rule over Iraq and Syria.

As the towns and villages fell to ISIS control one after the other those who resisted were barbarically besieged.

The towns under siege were on the verge of a humanitarian crisis with no means of supplying humanitarian aid except aerial delivery.

Iranian pilots were among the first in providing aid

Syria - The besieged cities of Al-Fu'ah and Kefraya.

Look darling, look.

Thank God.

Here's your coffee Captain.

Six of the pallets landed in AL-Fu'ah Kefraya.

How about the other two?

They landed in ISIS territory.

What's the problem? You need less altitude?

If we go any lower they can shoot us with a shoulder-launched missile

it's a small space, the wind blows them away.

Good morning Damascus, sahand 2.0.1.0

Damascus Airport.

Good job.

Did it go well?

Thank God.

Well Ali,

your decision's still the same as Last night?

Then this is yours.

- What's this? - Your discharge notice, I've done all the paperwork.

Well Ali,

here's a lovely Airbus that's come to pick you up.

It smells like a Parisian perfumes.

Go on... good luck.

This is Palmyra where the defenders are fighting against ISIS.

Here's the airport runway.

And here's the Ilyushin whose pilot was unfortunately martyred

see, they've been forced to move the plane to the hanger.

Now they're waiting for a brave pilot to fly it.

You mean Palmyra's fallen to ISIS so easily?

The city hasn't fallen yet, but they've said it's very likely to.

But Captain where are the Syrian pilots?

They've said they're already flying, it might be too late before they return.

Right now we're prepared.

Why haven't asked the Russian for help?

Actually the lot fell on us.

How much time do we have?

The helicopter's waiting as well.

Hi Ali, how are you darling?

Don't panic.

I just felt a bit sick last night. My mom brought me to the hospital.

I'm fine now.

I've kept my promise.

I don't surf the net.

I don't follow the news.

I try to stay calm.

But Ali,

I miss you.

- Ali, was this the promise that you gave us? - Mom, I'm talking!

Captain isn't it better for us to go to Palmyra instead of your father?

For God's sake, we're pilots too. Can you vouch for us?

They say you're going to Palmyra with Haj Younes, is it true?

What are you doing here?

What are you doing here yourself?

Wait, Stop!

We have to go, or we'll hit the darkness.

One minute!

We are late, the sun is setting.

One minute... This is a military order!

Get off Captain, before your plane leaves.

You've been discharged from the crew, you understand?

You're disobeying orders!

Tell them to arrest me

Ali, was this the promise that you made?

You've left my beautiful daughter all alone and gone to another country.

For God's sake, charity begins at home.

- You can't have your cake and eat it too! - Mom, please give me the phone!

Leyla... honey, stay quiet.

I never get to see my son-in-low, so at least let me tell him how I feel.

Why did you get married Ali?

You call this a life?

Flying those planes made Leyla nervous and you lost your baby.

You wanted another baby, well okay.

Then at least stay with your family.

I swear to God, we have a lot of Problems in our own country.

If you want to do something, do it for our own country.

I'm warning you Ali,

If for Whatever reason

this baby is lost like the other one,

you'll have to forget about Leyla.

Mom don't send it to him.

Don't send it!

Captain!

When the helicopter lands,

I'll get off and you'll go back to Damascus.

Understood?

Great.

I appreciate you coming this far

Mohammad, come on!

Ali, you're driving me crazy!

Didn't you want to go back to your wife?

My mission's not finished yet.

What mission? I've already handed you your discharge notice.

I'm here to fly you an Ilyushin aircraft.

That flight is mine.

You know better than I do, that is illegal.

You haven't flown in four years.

It's a chaos here!

Illegal?!

Ali, just look around.

It makes no difference.

I'm sorry dad, but you're flying permit has expired.

You're not allowed to fly.

I'm expired?

I'm not capable of flying?

You should be ashamed of yourself!

Captain Rostami?

Our guest is here with me

101-101

OK, sure.

He's right here, I see him.

Bassem Hamdani?

Bassem.

We're both Captains.

Yes.

I'm Captain Rostami.

But he's Captain Rostami, too!

Where's your vehicle?

I only have this motorbike.

A bullet's hit the tire.

ISIS is tightening its siege on the city.

They're reaching the ancient city.

Drone!

This means ISIS is about to do something dangerous!

Go.

I'll send him straight to hell.

And you don't know even what kind of a hell it would be

Get ready to get off!

Quick!

Get out!

Jump down!

Belal, Belal.

ISIS snipers are all around. We have to wait till dark.

OK.

Bassem, you did a great job.

You brave men are most welcome.

Hello.

Younes?!

Belal!

Why have you come to Palmyra?

You needed help,

so we came.

You're the base commander.

You should've sent an Ilyushin instead of coming yourself.

This is Ali, the Ilyushin pilot.

You're welcome my friend.

Please.

Here's the plane that was waiting for you.

Come on.

You're welcome.

You're welcome.

Mr. Belal... Mr. Belal.

Is this man we've been waiting for?

We've been waiting for one person,

But,

Two come to us.

Folks,

welcome the Iranian pilots.

Jaber,

you lost the bet,

these courageous men came.

You're right Belal.

You're very welcome.

- God bless you. - Captain Younes.

God bless you.

You're very welcome.

Captain, when can we fly?

Be careful.

Be careful, the mines are old Bassem!

I'm careful.

My friends,

watching our city burn down

is tough for us all.

Parting the city,

that holds our past and memories

is awful, but this is a reality.

We have to clear the runway

from the pieces of metal and mortar shell to be able to fly.

With our trust in God, let's move.

If we don't act in time, these sounds will reach Iran.

Right,

you're better at hearing distant sounds.

Was that a compliment or are you just being sarcastic?

I just said the truth.

And what am I guilty of?

You're guilty of

being a father.

So being a father is a sin?

What about you?

You'll be a father soon.

But you've never really been involved in fatherhood.

Once it was because of the Iraq-Iran War.

Then it was because of Bosnia.

Again Iraq, and then Lebanon.

And now here

Ali, so all this time you really haven't realized why I was gone?