To The Frontlines Against ISIS
#152
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: OCONUS
Programs: Presidential Airways High Value Target, Catfish Air Flare, Hootch Honors Gold
Posts: 9,049
Regards,
-Bouncer-
#153
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 4
I have read your reports on Yemen and Somalia but this tops it. What a story!!. More than a TR it is a great journalism, teaching me the geography, history, politics and current events of this place. Till now I knew a bit about Assad and ISIS, but not much about Kurds. You have truly educated me.
The quote from a female fighter " It is safer to be at the front-line than 10 km behind in cleared areas, which is more dangerous" still sticks in my mind. A known devil is better than an unknown one.
I know Saudi is a supporter of ISIS but I wonder how much Dubai government approves the Kurdish patches being brought in back home.
Thanks once more for a stupendous report.
The quote from a female fighter " It is safer to be at the front-line than 10 km behind in cleared areas, which is more dangerous" still sticks in my mind. A known devil is better than an unknown one.
I know Saudi is a supporter of ISIS but I wonder how much Dubai government approves the Kurdish patches being brought in back home.
Thanks once more for a stupendous report.
#155
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA Million Miler, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 94
Thank you for taking the time to put faces on what is usually an impersonal war for most people. Seeing the YPJ fighters was inspiring - reading the memorials of the fallen was heartbreaking.
Travel safely!
Travel safely!
#160
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: CDG
Programs: QRPC Polonium
Posts: 99
I agree with the last sentence. And "to be martyred" sounds a bit like propaganda for a Western ear. Otherwise, remarkable work.
#162
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
Cheers, tycosiao, it has been great to share and get so much positive feedback from this.
This is the absolute best thing I have ever read on FT. The pictures of the YPJ fighters are epic!
My wife walked by while I was reading this and said " why are you smiling so much?" After I showed her the pics, she understood.
Thanks so much for taking the time to do all of this!
My wife walked by while I was reading this and said " why are you smiling so much?" After I showed her the pics, she understood.
Thanks so much for taking the time to do all of this!
I'm just a lurker here, but had to log in to say:
Thank you DanielW for an amazing trip report. Always interesting to read your reports and see pictures of normal life in countries that I would never be brave enough to go to myself (even where there is no war or dictatorships!)
Look forward to a book(s) some day. They would certainly beat my favorite travel writer Bill Bryson into a very distant second place.
Thank you DanielW for an amazing trip report. Always interesting to read your reports and see pictures of normal life in countries that I would never be brave enough to go to myself (even where there is no war or dictatorships!)
Look forward to a book(s) some day. They would certainly beat my favorite travel writer Bill Bryson into a very distant second place.
Amazing report - many thanks for sharing.
I come here for points earning opportunities and to share stories on champagne-fueled trips to north america from the UK. Your report really puts so much of my travel into context.
Your photography is perhaps the best I've ever seen on this forum.
I come here for points earning opportunities and to share stories on champagne-fueled trips to north america from the UK. Your report really puts so much of my travel into context.
Your photography is perhaps the best I've ever seen on this forum.
Thanks, Swibbz. Calling something a 'life-changing experience' can often over-used, but this one definitely comes pretty close for me.
Thank you, alexphj.
I have read your reports on Yemen and Somalia but this tops it. What a story!!. More than a TR it is a great journalism, teaching me the geography, history, politics and current events of this place. Till now I knew a bit about Assad and ISIS, but not much about Kurds. You have truly educated me.
The quote from a female fighter " It is safer to be at the front-line than 10 km behind in cleared areas, which is more dangerous" still sticks in my mind. A known devil is better than an unknown one.
I know Saudi is a supporter of ISIS but I wonder how much Dubai government approves the Kurdish patches being brought in back home.
Thanks once more for a stupendous report.
The quote from a female fighter " It is safer to be at the front-line than 10 km behind in cleared areas, which is more dangerous" still sticks in my mind. A known devil is better than an unknown one.
I know Saudi is a supporter of ISIS but I wonder how much Dubai government approves the Kurdish patches being brought in back home.
Thanks once more for a stupendous report.
As far as I know, the Saudi government definitely doesn't support ISIS. Obviously Saudi individuals have joined and/or support them though.
I don't think there is any animosity between the UAE and the YPJ. The UAE even helped defend Kobani from ISIS when it was attacked: http://www.thenational.ae/world/syri...ault-on-kobani
Thank you, mromalley. It has been a very enlightening experience for me too.
Thank you, jphripjah.
Thanks, alpenrock, it definitely felt weird going back to my normal, mundane life after my short time in Rojava.
Thanks, fivevsone. Yes, definitely more risk than usual but fortunately I returned home safely.
#165