Thank you, for your great TR.

It probably already is, as part of OSINT gathering. There's quite a bit of useful background information in the TR. Though I would refrain from calling any side in the conflict "infidels", since it identifies an element of possible bias.

Regards,
-Bouncer-

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.

Wow! Thank you for sharing this. I learned a lot from your TR.

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!

Thank you for sharing this unique and enlightening flight report. It was a privilege to read it. ^

Great report!

I've already congratulated you on the report but damn I just read it again after a few days and I felt it was worthy to say thanks for a second time.

Absolutely breathtaking.

Great .out of Ordinary

I agree with the last sentence. And "to be martyred" sounds a bit like propaganda for a Western ear. Otherwise, remarkable work.

wow. i was on the edge of my seat the whole time reading. Many thanks for sharing.
T

Thank you, flatlander. One of the trips I definitely won't forget!
Many thanks, UAL250. It was quite a moving experience for me too, both from what I saw and experienced, and reliving it while writing it all up.
Cheers, tycosiao, it has been great to share and get so much positive feedback from this.
Thanks, Seachain. Yes, good to get some perspective on people just wanting live peacefully, without an invading army of fanatics on their door step.
Thank you, BrazilNuts, it has been great sharing it here.
Many thanks, styxl. Yes, the strong, resilient but friendly people of Rojava were a privilege to meet. I only hope that true peace and stability will be established in this region soon.
Many thanks, travelinterpreters. Yes, the YPJ fighters were amazing to meet. When I was that age I was worried about my university studies and finding things to do on the weekend etc. They have to worry about their friends surviving gun battles or a mortar attack and ISIS jihadi's attacking in the middle of the night. It really blew my mind! Very inspiring and made me reflect on my own priorities too.
Thanks, Cymbo. Yes, the wild poppy was cool to see. A simple but beautiful flower that had grown among the destruction and mayhem.
Thank you, gooselee. I often re-read my TR's but this one still affects me in a way that the others never did.
Many thanks, geilux. We often see photo's and video of the struggle in the other areas of Syria, but not often of the daily life of the people in the north, so it was good to shine a bit more light on this relatively stable part of Syria.
Many thanks, Mark Gerrard. I am a big Bill Bryson fan so being mentioned in the same sentence as him is a very cool compliment! Hopefully I get around to a book when I get sick of all this travelling.
Thank you, malkie. Yes, experiences like this often help us to put some of our first world world problems into context.
Cheers, kevinyhli. Next trip report is almost done, so hopefully coming soon.
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'm anti-ISIS and they're definitely infidels but I'm happy with being 'bias' though.
Thank you, kamban. Yes, must be very un-nerving with an enemy in your midst but can't see them hiding amongst the civilians.
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.
Many thanks, TAPAL10. Often the human side is lost during war, so hopefully these photo's help to connect them in a more real and personal way.
Cheers, aw.
Thank you, jphripjah.
Thank you, snabbu. Cool to hear the TR is worth a second read!
Thanks, alpenrock, it definitely felt weird going back to my normal, mundane life after my short time in Rojava.
Thank you, Will Coe. While visiting the graves of the deceased YPG & YPJ fighters, I was told that the custom is that when someone is lost in battle, they are never 'killed' but are 'martyred'. Hence I wanted to respect their wishes and not in anyway dehumanize their sacrifice for their freedom and survival against ISIS.
Thanks, fivevsone. Yes, definitely more risk than usual but fortunately I returned home safely.

What a great read! I think I'm adventurous but your risk tolerance and ability to capture the struggle people are going through is amazing. Great effort Daniel!

Fantastic experience and great writing, thanks for sharing!

I can't come up with words to express how incredible this TR is. You had some great subjects, but you have a great eye for bringing them to life in photos.