Thanks DanielW for another great trip report!

I visited Syria in 2009 and sometimes I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to many of the friendly Syrians whom I crossed path with back then.

Many thanks, SgtRyan:). North Korea is definitely on my list! Next country is a little more conventional though, Georgia.
Thank you, stu1985:). Yes, I did quite alot of background research, both before and after, which helped to understand the conflict as well as contributing to the photo’s I was taking.
Thanks, rimoabdallah:). Definitely no EK F for me, I’m not even sure I like champagne:).
Thank, JohnRain:). Yes, it was definitely a step up from anything I had ever done before.
Yes, it was an intense experience. It has certainly changed my perspective on a few things in life too.
Many thanks, blueferrari:). Yes, ISIS seems to be a magnet for some of the world’s undesirables at the moment, and really makes you feel sorry for the poor people of Syria who are suffering the consequences for this. Hopefully some sort of peace and stability returns soon.
Thank you, offerendum:).
Thanks, hirohito888:). Yes, picking through the detritus of ISIS life was quite a surreal experience. Quite different to the rants and atrocities that they like to show.
Thank you, Romanianflyer:). You were very lucky to have visited before the civil war. I can only hope too that life for the Syrian people returns to more peaceful times soon.
Many thanks, hostageofont:). It was an amazing journey to a place that has seen so much oppression, conflict and horror but has incredible resolve to fight and build on their own new found independence.
Thank you, NA-Flyer:).
Thanks, AndrewE:). I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. I’ve seen a few video’s with A-10’s supporting the Kurdish forces in Syria. I think A-10’s were originally designed to take out Soviet tanks if they rumbled into West Germany, so seems fitting if they are being used to take out ISIS T-55 tanks now.
Cheers, Askartus:). Yes, with the support of the US and other allies, true peace in Rojava is definitely on the horizon.
Thank you, callmedtop:). It was a real privilege to be able to visit this part of the world, and capture the amazingly strong but friendly people.
Thanks, londonfog:). Yes, this journey will definitely take up a chapter or two of a book from all my travels!
Thank you, stimpy:). Yes the horrible conflict that has befallen Syria has definitely irreparably changed it. Hopefully with time though, peace returns and some of this damage can be reversed.
Many thanks, lb8001:). Yes, it was great to see the more normal aspects of life in Northern Syria, people in markets and in their homes etc., and not just the stuff you see on CNN etc.
Safety was always paramount and we took all possible precautions by coordinating with the security forces and avoiding any unnecessary risk. Jan has taken many people to Rojava and thankfully every trip they have returned safely.
Thank you, phranktzi:). Yes, hopefully through these photos people can understand the sacrifices that the Syrian people have made and the extreme forces that are against them.
Many thanks, transportprof:). Yes, more conventional travel after this will be a little harder for me to get excited about for a while for me too:).
Thank you, Suzzin:). It was quite a learning experience for me too.
Many thanks, Lucentis:). Yes, it was good to focus on the whole story, and not just a few headlines. From the bustling bazaar in Qamishli to the aftermath at Kobani to the liberated city of Al Shaddadah.
Cheers, DallasBeyond:). Yes, so much intense and indescribable photos to capture. It was an amazing experience.
Thank you, Speedbird84:). Yes, it was good to see the human side that is often missing from the horrific headlines. From filling up a car with smuggled fuel to getting some falafel at a local café.
It was great to meet the famous YPJ fighters too, so brave and committed to defending and fighting for their cause.
Thanks, spark787:). Yes, it was surprising for me too how well organized ISIS was. Al-Qaeda is mainly focused on terror whereas ISIS wants to control and govern too.
They didn’t actually stamp my passport:(. I’ve been to several countries since and no issues so far too.
Many thanks, SFWanderer:). It took me a while to understand the various factions, but hopefully have it sorted now. Quite a complicated conflict and perhaps why peace has been a little harder to reach.
Ha ha:)!! Not yet, but I figured I am already on their radar with my Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Iran trips:D.
Cheers, krazykanuck:). I haven’t seen any suspicious men in black with wearing dark sunglasses and an earpiece yet:D.
Thanks, Bretteee :). Yes, definitely recommend going, to the Iraqi part at least.
Thank you, peachtea:). Next country is a little more relaxed and less stress:).
Many thanks, flyingeph12:). It took a while to compile but this was a very educating and rewarding report to write for me too.
Thanks, flyr16:). Yes, hopefully it gives a good overall view of the lives in Northern Syria at the moment.
Thank you, snabbu:). Yes, I was in a totally different frame of mind than if I was somewhere a little more normal. An amazing journey though and one that I am very grateful to have experienced.
Cheers, want2fly4less:). It was a trip I definitely will never forget.
Thanks, Annalisa12:). I had to do quite a bit of research for this, but it was rewarding and very interesting to do.
Many thanks, 5DMarkIIguy:). Not sure if I am that brave, but a little too adventurous though maybe:)?
Thanks, drdestiny:). We asked if it was ok to take photo’s and it was fine. The map was at the beginning of the presentation and is hence ~18 months old/obselete. There are now a lot less red (ISIS) dots and the blue dots (Peshmerga) have advanced further.
Cheers, gooselee:). Yes, airline food can be tasty but Kurdish cheese and honey in the Qamishli bazaar was a real treat too:).
Many thanks, mad_atta:). I have some options for a wider audience but it was primarily a personal trip for me. The KRG has recently tightened up on the Semalka border crossing though after pressure from Turkey.
Thank you, AKCuisine:). Yes, there was so much destruction yet so much else to see and take in.
Thanks, TM78:). It is a pleasure to share with everyone here.
Many thanks, Jaimito Cartero:). The relationship between the Syrian-Kurds and the US definitely seems to be getting stronger, and hopefully an alliance that will remain very much long-term.
Thank you, chongsss:). You were very lucky to visit when you did. Hopefully some kind of peace returns soon.

Daniel - another great trip report that makes me a little bit more educated on what is happening in a part of the world I am so detached from. Glad you are back home safely.

Amazing. Hope you're submitting for a magazine feature.

Depressing view of Obama's foreign policy at work.

Sorry, can't resist. That'll probably get an edit.

DanielW, without a doubt this is the best ever TR on flyer talk. Please can we give the man an award of some sort Matthandy and Moomba?

You have seriously outdone yourself! Phenomenal TR. Absolutely phenomenal. Props!

+1 to this, also (actually including the poster's mention of POTUS' foreign policy, which I have conveniently "redacted")...

Epic. Invaluable to FT legacy.

DanielW, amazing, just amazing !

This is by far, the best piece I've seen on FT.

This was an incredible, informative, and thought-provoking report. Thank you for giving us a window into what life's like in these parts of the world.

^^^^^

DanielW - your reports are always a must read when I see them pop up on the trip reports forum list - but this is hands down the best trip report I have ever read on FT. Your ability to convey the chaos, courage, despair, hope and humanity of this region through your words and photos is simply unparalleled. Bravo!!!!

Fascinating and riveting read - YPJ so so brave. Your TR brings real perspective on the news we hear on a daily basis.

The Kurds seem so inviting and kind people :)

Great TR! It is marvellous to see such friendship and hospitality in such a troubled part of the world. The pictures of the food remind me of my amazing trip to Lebanon in 2002. Wonderful people in that part of the world. I just wish that one day they will all be able to live in peace.

Absolutely stupendous. Thank you for such a great TR.