Syria's Forgotten Island of Opposition

Photographer

Charlie Clewis

Category

Special Category - Film Photography

Company

Submission Group

Amateur

Year

2024

Country / Region:

United States

13 years after Syria’s revolution, rebel forces and US troops continue to operate in the southern desert. The Syrian Free Army patrols a 55-kilometer region, surrounded by Assad’s military and Russian advisors. The war feels to have reached a period of stillness, but is often interrupted by aerial drone attacks from Iranian proxies. Over 5,000 civilians remain in the Rukban refugee camp, unable to flee into Jordan or return to regime territory without likely persecution, detention, and disappearance. Medical care, education and food are scarce; most children have experienced nothing else.