Thank you for sharing this ... Just spent close to an hour going through everything. Absolutely fascinating.

This report is truly unbelieveable in the best possible way. Thank you for sharing this amazing trip in all of its raw, gut-wrenching-yet-heart-warming beauty.

This is one of the best travelogues I've ever read, anywhere, and gives a better idea of what's really going on than the nonsense published in our major media.

I can't even begin to imagine the effort that went into this. And you really do have nerves of steel, by the way.

Thank you!

Thanks Daniel! I'm blown away by this TR - impressed as always with your photography and information. I can't imagine how many more pictures you haven't used for this TR - just the idea of that one city being in part control of the regime was mind-blowing.
I definitely think that this is a very amazing TR worthy of a media publication. Don't any of our FT members have pull to get this published - this feels so extremely news worthy.
When you do go to North Korea, I assume you'll be in a tour group and forced to follow strict instructions regarding photography etc.
thank you again!
Michael

Absolutely bloody incredible. Thank you Daniel.

Great TR! I hope you are not planning to visit the US of A soon ;)

To be completely honest, I haven't read through the entire report yet. But I sit here absolutely amazed. This level of story telling wouldn't be out of place in Time or National Geographic. Well done, DanielW

Thank you for sharing this deeply moving & educational TR. I hope more media outlets will pick up this TR to help expose non-FT audience of war against ISIS in Syria & Iraq.

Thank you, Baldpacker:). It was quite an experience seeing the solidarity and hope of the people of Rojava, despite the danger and other difficulties they are facing. Living and working in Yemen even before the latest war must have been very interesting too though!
Thanks, Tychian:). I initially only intended to stay a few days, but glad now to have spent the longer time there it ended up as.
Cheers, Flying Buccaneer:). Yes, such friendly and welcoming people, and very tolerant of me poking my camera everywhere:).
Thank you, kthpence:). One of my longest reports but I really wanted to do it justice.
Many thanks, st1575:). Yes, the contrast with horror and hope for better days was very emotive.
Thanks, FallenPlat:). Yes, it was great to see the ‘big picture’ of the opposing side against ISIS, and not just the horror and brutal propaganda that is often portrayed. I am maybe a bit too adventurous, but the brave YPG & YPJ fighters have the real nerves of steel though.
Many thanks, gaobest:). Yes, an incredible trip and don’t think there is anything to compare to what I have seen and experience before. North Korea will definitely be a lot more restrained, I think even taking a photo of anyone in military uniform is banned:(!
Thanks, blueline7:).
Thank you, kpc:). Yes, I’m already ineligible for the visa waiver program after my visits to Iran, Yemen, Sudan etc. Syria is just another reason I’ll have to avoid the USA unless I want to go through the hassle of getting a visa.
Cheers, dat4life:). Photography is one of my passions so travelling to a place such as this helps to make my photo’s tell a real and relevant story.
Thank you, npei:). It has been great to share it with everyone here.

all of that destruction is so sad.

I can't believe you lug all that camera gear around. That must weigh a ton!

Finally got around to reading this TR after a week plus of work travel.
Really amazing report.
I am curious about the ISIS flag. I am sure many would be repulsed about the idea of keeping the flag, and many others couldn't resist taking that flag as a "souvenir."

Yes, my bag was chockful of camera gear:)! I normally don't take this much gear, but figured it was worth taking a few extra lenses to make the most of the trip.
Thank you, MarkCron:). No, the ISIS flag definitely stayed where it was! It would have made a good conversation starter hanging on my wall back home though:D. I did buy a YPJ and a YPG flag back in Qamishli to take home, to remind me of the trip and of the brave fighters I got to meet:

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7683/2...fc182607_o.jpg

Astonishing and heartbreaking in equal measure.

Perhaps what I'm most impressed by, though, is how you managed to keep an undercurrent of daily life visible while also amply demonstrating the horrors of war. Beautifully prepared meals and gracious hospitality are universal, and they remind us of the power of the human spirit even in the face of senseless tragedy.

This TR is so far one of the best I have ever read/see. Congratulations Daniel!

I have been trying to travel to Syria since 2009 and my relatives (My wife mom is from Syria) always advise me is not the right time...

I have missed a couple of amazing places now destroyed by ISIS not to mention the suffering and struggling the people from Syria and Iraq are forced to have by this lunatics.

My wife was also happy to see your TR, which has been shared with all her relatives from Syria, and it was very well received by them!

Keep up the TR's mate, you are doing an excellent job!

Thank you so much for posting this. This is probably the most informative and inspirational trip report i have ever read. To see the way people persevere in the midst of so much terror and sadness is an amazing narrative to read and the pictures really bring everything to life. Thank you so much for telling this story.