In the Washokani refugee camp, the average age of its inhabitants is just over eighteen. Most of those who seek refuge in this huge complex of canvas tents are under the age of ten. It is one of the youngest populations on the planet. Many of them have not known a day of peace since they came to this world. The war in northern Syria has affected all age ranges of the population, but especially the youngest. Those who were born in a country already destroyed by the conflict, do not see the end of the conflict, thus mortgaging their future to a peace that does not come.

This work was part of a Euskal Fondoa NGO assigment and was awarded with silver medal in MIFA awards in Editorial/Conflict category.
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2 of 10 © 2024 Andoni Lubaki

A portrait of a boy in front of a holed by bullets wall in Tel Nasri, near the frontline against yihadists and Turkish Army. After the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria in October 2019, Turkey launched an offensive against the predominantly Kurdish areas in the northeast of the country along Islamist forces. Calls for war crimes investigations into the conduct of Ankara-backed militias are mounting ever since. (Andoni Lubaki / Euskal Fondoa)

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3 of 10 © 2024 Andoni Lubaki

Child playing war games inside a destroyed church by ISIS in Tel Nasri town, near the frontline in the war against yihadist and Turkey. After the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria in October 2019, Turkey launched an offensive against the predominantly Kurdish areas in the northeast of the country along Islamist forces. Calls for war crimes investigations into the conduct of Ankara-backed militias are mounting ever since. (Andoni Lubaki / Euskal Fondoa)

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4 of 10 © 2024 Andoni Lubaki

A girl outside her tent in the refugee camp of Washokani. After the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria in October 2019, Turkey launched an offensive against the predominantly Kurdish areas in the northeast of the country along Islamist forces. Calls for war crimes investigations into the conduct of Ankara-backed militias are mounting ever since. (Andoni Lubaki / Euskal Fondoa)

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5 of 10 © 2024 Andoni Lubaki

A child jumping a puddle in a street of Tel Nasri near the frontline against yihadists and Turkish Army. After the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria in October 2019, Turkey launched an offensive against the predominantly Kurdish areas in the northeast of the country along Islamist forces. Calls for war crimes investigations into the conduct of Ankara-backed militias are mounting ever since. (Andoni Lubaki / Euskal Fondoa)

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6 of 10 © 2024 Andoni Lubaki

A view throught destroyed window of a child playing in the streets of Tel Nasri near the frontline against yihadists and Turkish Army. After the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria in October 2019, Turkey launched an offensive against the predominantly Kurdish areas in the northeast of the country along Islamist forces. Calls for war crimes investigations into the conduct of Ankara-backed militias are mounting ever since. (Andoni Lubaki / Euskal Fondoa)

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7 of 10 © 2024 Andoni Lubaki

A girl looking from a car window the refugee camp of Washokani, near Hassaka where thousands of people are living after they fleed the Serekaniye province when the yihadists enter the zone and start comitting murders. After the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria in October 2019, Turkey launched an offensive against the predominantly Kurdish areas in the northeast of the country along Islamist forces. Calls for war crimes investigations into the conduct of Ankara-backed militias are mounting ever since. (Andoni Lubaki / Euskal Fondoa)

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8 of 10 © 2024 Andoni Lubaki

A Serekaniye refugee girl plays in the tent where her family lives in the Washokani camp while her brother watches the scene inside the store from outside the door. After the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria in October 2019, Turkey launched an offensive against the predominantly Kurdish areas in the northeast of the country along Islamist forces. Calls for war crimes investigations into the conduct of Ankara-backed militias are mounting ever since. (Andoni Lubaki / Euskal Fondoa)

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9 of 10 © 2024 Andoni Lubaki

Two children plays in the destroyed streets of Tel Nasri, few kilometers far away from the frontline. After the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria in October 2019, Turkey launched an offensive against the predominantly Kurdish areas in the northeast of the country along Islamist forces. Calls for war crimes investigations into the conduct of Ankara-backed militias are mounting ever since. (Andoni Lubaki / Euskal Fondoa)

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10 of 10 © 2024 Andoni Lubaki

A newborn in Washokani refugee camp crying on the floor where her father has put a blanket to use it as a bed. After the withdrawal of US troops from northern Syria in October 2019, Turkey launched an offensive against the predominantly Kurdish areas in the northeast of the country along Islamist forces. Calls for war crimes investigations into the conduct of Ankara-backed militias are mounting ever since. (Andoni Lubaki / Euskal Fondoa)

Public Story
Mud Swings In Fire Fields
Copyright Andoni Lubaki 2024
Updated Apr 2023
Location Rojava, Syria
Topics feature [featured]
In the Washokani refugee camp, the average age of its inhabitants is just over eighteen. Most of those who seek refuge in this huge complex of canvas tents are under the age of ten. It is one of the youngest populations on the planet. Many of them have not known a day of peace since they came to this world. The war in northern Syria has affected all age ranges of the population, but especially the youngest. Those who were born in a country already destroyed by the conflict, do not see the end of the conflict, thus mortgaging their future to a peace that does not come.

Basque Photographer

Basque photographer best known for his documentary conflict photographs all around the world and focusing in long term projects.
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