Xinhua selects world pictures of the year 2019

Syria's air defense missile, responding to a missile strike, is seen in the sky over Damascus, capital of Syria, Jan. 21, 2019. The Syrian air defenses responded to heavy Israeli strikes on Jan. 21, 2019, destroying most of the missiles before they reached their targets, the Syrian state TV reported. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)