Syria | Huck
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Syria

The harsh reality of being a White Helmet, heroes of the Syrian civil war

Hope amidst the bloodshed — Director Orlando von Einsiedel’s documentary ‘The White Helmets’ pays tribute to the sacrifice and heroism of the volunteer rescue workers risking everything to save civilian lives in Syria.

  • Film
  • Alex King

On the frontlines with the Kurdish female fighters beating back ISIS

Öcalan's Angels — Iraqi pro-government forces are making gains in the start of their large-scale operation to retake Mosul, the last major stronghold of the so-called Islamic State In eastern Syria. Fighting alongside the government forces are a Kurdish feminist army, but what’s driving young Kurdish women to take up arms, knowing they may never return? Magnum photographer Newsha Tavakolian went to find out for Huck's Defiance Issue.

  • Reportage
  • Newsha Tavakolian

Life as a White Helmet: The volunteer rescue workers saving civilian lives in Syria

“Every day is a new life” — Also known as The White Helmets, the Syrian Civil Defence is an unarmed, volunteer organisation which helps anyone in need - regardless of their religion or politics - in areas where public services no longer function. They have saved 60,000 lives across Syria and were recognised for their heroic work with a nomination for the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize. Syrian Civil Defence volunteer Mahmood Adam reflects on his work as a White Helmet and on rescuing civilians after the Douma massacre, one of the deadliest attacks of the war.

  • Activism
  • Mahmood Adam - as told to Alex King and Laila Kiki

UK set to break promise of resettling 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020

MPs condemn lack of progress — A new report by the Home Affairs Select Committee has concluded that David Cameron’s target of resettling 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020 is unlikely to be met. It also blames European countries for not anticipating the crisis and criticises their response to ‘colossal’ numbers of asylum seekers.

  • Activism
  • Tenelle Ottley-Matthew

What makes Al Qaeda suicide bombers tick?

Humanising the enemy — Director Paul Refsdal lived alongside Jhabat al-Nusra’s ‘martyrdom seekers’ in Syria to understand what motivates them in his hard-hitting documentary Dugma: The Button.

  • Film
  • Alex King

Britain's refusal to grant asylum and the hypocrisy of "safety"

From where I stand — Not a day goes by that students and women's groups aren't mocked by the right-wing press and liberal thinkers for creating safe-spaces, environments in which some danger and oppression can be kept at bay. Safe spaces are derided by those who have the luxury of safety already.

  • Opinion
  • Shone Faye

Turkey is illegally returning thousands of refugees to Syria

A humanitarian crisis rages on — New research by Amnesty International finds Turkish authorities are forcing Syrian refugees back to the war-torn country, breaking EU and international law. With a new EU agreement to see refugees arriving in Greece returned to Turkey set to take effect as early as next week, it's time for action.

  • Culture
  • Michael Segalov

Video: One woman's experiences as a Syrian refugee – Part Two

Revisiting Hamadi sixteen months on — In the sixteen months since Hamadi's journey from Syria to the Netherlands was chronicled by director Liz Mermin, her home country has continued to implode and European response towards its refugees has grown increasingly hostile. Meanwhile, Hamadi's personal life has undergone major changes.

  • Activism
  • Adam White

Video: One woman's experiences as a Syrian refugee – Part One

Meet Hanadi — Hanadi fled war-torn Syria with her family in 2014, finding refuge in the small town of Kessel Eik in the Netherlands. While she takes the enormous upheaval in her stride, she pines for a day when she can return to the home she once knew.

  • Activism
  • Adam White

The Affected Ones: Why French teenagers are joining ISIS

Radicalised Runaways — Breaking down the phenomenon of ‘jihadi girl power’ – a transgressive subculture that has little to do with religion and everything to do with escapism.

  • Activism
  • Cian Traynor

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