Innocent victims of the Syrian civil war at the Internally Displaced People camp in Syria where Syrian children now leave to escape all the violence and destruction around them. Image: Amir Kabir Jabbari

Iranian photographer Amir Kabir Jabbari witnessed the devastation of Syria’s civil war and the unimaginable violence inflicted on children. Bashar al-Assad’s fall makes his images even more poignant

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

SYRIA—The Syrian Civil War, now in its 13th year, has left a trail of devastation, particularly among the most vulnerable: children. Following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by rebels, the horrifying scale of his regime’s atrocities has come to light. These atrocities, once hidden in the chaos of conflict, are now becoming more visible, revealing the unimaginable suffering inflicted on civilians.

Among the countless victims, children have borne the brunt, subjected to violence, displacement, and death. Fortunately, there is significant documentation that sheds light on the tragic experiences of these young victims. In 2015, Iranian photographer Amir Kabir Jabbari became a witness to this suffering, capturing the lives of war-torn children in Syria. His poignant images are powerful reminders of the human cost of the Syrian Civil War, a conflict that continues to affect millions.

Syrian Civil War: Unrelenting Tragedy  

For over a decade, the Syrian Civil War has been an unrelenting tragedy. Since its onset, the conflict has claimed the lives of thousands, including countless women and children. The war’s brutality has been compounded by the use of chemical weapons, adding a horrifying dimension to the already devastating violence. On April 4, 2017, Syrian warplanes dropped poisonous gas on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun in northwestern Syria. This attack resulted in the deaths of more than 80 people, including many children.

The images that followed this chemical assault shocked the world. They depicted people struggling to breathe, their faces contorted in pain as they gasped for air. However, the most harrowing images were those of children. Photographs of young victims, their lifeless bodies laying in the streets, and others struggling to breathe with oxygen masks, deeply disturbed viewers around the world. These chilling images ignited global outrage and grief, as people could not help but feel the immense sorrow and helplessness in the face of such barbarity. The Syrian Civil War, with its indiscriminate use of violence, continues to leave scars that will take generations to heal.

Chemical Weapons and War Crimes

The use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government sparked widespread international outrage. World leaders, including those from the United Nations, condemned President Bashar al-Assad for using these weapons and committing war crimes to maintain his hold on power. Despite global condemnation, Assad denied these accusations, blaming the opposition for the atrocities. His claims did little to appease the anger of the international community, which stood united in rebuking his actions. In response to the 2017 chemical attack on Khan Sheikhoun, President Donald Trump ordered U.S. military airstrikes on the Syrian airbase from which the chemical weapons were launched

How Did the Syrian Civil War Start?

The roots of the Syrian Civil War lie in decades of political and economic unrest under President Bashar al-Assad. After the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, in 2000, Bashar assumed the presidency. Syrians soon began expressing dissatisfaction with his government due to widespread unemployment, corruption, and lack of political freedom. For nearly a decade, their grievances went unaddressed, and the situation worsened. In 2011, inspired by the uprisings across the Arab world, Syrians took to the streets to demand democratic reforms.

However, instead of listening to the protesters, Assad deployed the military to crush dissent with force. The brutal suppression of peaceful demonstrations led to widespread anger and calls for Assad’s resignation. He responded by escalating violence, sending security forces to kill civilians, including women and children, igniting a full-scale civil war.

Foreign Powers: Money, Weaponry, and Fighters

In the wake of the violence, rebel factions began to arm themselves, with many groups receiving support from foreign powers. Assad, in turn, painted the opposition as foreign-backed terrorists. Extremist groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda took advantage of the chaos, further complicating the conflict. The international community watched with growing concern as these terror organizations expanded their influence. Meanwhile, the Syrian Kurds sought autonomy, adding another layer of complexity to the war

Russian Military Intervention in the Syrian Civil War

Russia’s involvement in the Syrian Civil War began in 2015 when the Syrian government officially requested military aid. Russia’s military support proved fundamental in bolstering Assad’s position against rebel forces. By December 2017, Russia had stationed permanent military forces in Syria. Iran also played a significant role, sending troops and providing substantial financial support to ensure Assad’s survival. Together, Russia and Iran helped keep Assad in power, despite the mounting casualties and devastation.

Children of Syria: Maimed and Killed

While Bashar al-Assad is often singled out for his role in the Syrian Civil War, other groups, including ISIS, have also shown a complete disregard for human life, especially when it comes to children. These children, trapped in a cycle of violence, have suffered the loss of their parents, become refugees, or been maimed or killed in attacks. Even those who survive the war are left with deep emotional and physical scars.

Syrian Civil War and the Innocent Children of War

The Syrian Civil War has left children particularly vulnerable. Many have lost their homes, families, and futures. Schools, hospitals, and playgrounds, once places of safety and growth, have been reduced to rubble. According to UNICEF, “more than 8 million Syrian children are in urgent need of aid, with over 2 million becoming refugees.” Amid this crisis, Iranian photographer Amir Kabir Jabbari sought to highlight the resilience of war-affected children. In 2015, after documenting the lives of children in Kobane, Jabbari felt compelled to take his work to Syria, focusing specifically on children enduring the Syrian Civil War. “I felt the urge to contribute more. To help honestly. But also my way. Since children have always been one of my fascinations, I chose to go to Syria to make a series with them. Luckily, I got permission to access Aleppo,” he said.

On the Streets of Aleppo

In 2015, Amir Kabir Jabbari was granted permission to enter Aleppo and photograph the children affected by the ongoing war. His project aimed to capture these children in their natural environments, not as mere victims, but as individuals with dignity and hope. Jabbari’s images differ from the often grim depictions in the media. He sought to highlight their humanity and individuality, allowing them to be active participants in the photography process. Through this collaborative effort, Jabbari’s work transcended mere photojournalism, giving these children a voice and a sense of agency amidst the destruction surrounding them. He explains:

“Children are so pure. In them, I see the future of mankind. By educating them in a new way, they can make a big difference for our future. Working with children is more than just about photography. It’s about the humanity. My search for a way to connect with them and use photography as my tool. I let the children create the image with me, by explaining how my equipment works. I create an atmosphere where they feel free to be creative and forget about the war for a while. This way we can tell their story together.”

Storytelling Through Photography

Storytelling is at the core of Amir’s new photography project about Syrian civil war children. Borrowing from 100 years of Iranian photography history of ‘aka-bashi’, he created a series of authentic images of Syrian civil war children devoid of the usual media sensation.  Working with the children, they created an outdoor studio using a white canvas as the backdrop. The war children posed in front of the white canvas and the camera went click, click.

In one of the photographs, a boy stands in front of the white canvas. The backdrop is on a roof with clothes hanging on lines and destruction in the distance. Despite the derelict environment, there is so much dignity and pride in this little boy.  Hands akimbo and a bright smile on his face, the boy shows off what is perhaps his best outfit. His blue shirt has images of Mickey Mouse and some alphabets. His torn red short matches his tee-shirt perfectly. On his feet are flip-flops with red and blue straps. The boy projects pride in a way that says, “You can’t kill my soul”.

Photograph of a Boy Wearing a Red Polo Tee Shirt With number 75 Reveals the Impact of Syrian Civil War on Children

In another image, a boy wearing a red polo tee shirt with the number 75 boldly written on it stands in front of the white canvas. His faded jean short reveals his skinny and malnourished legs. On his feet are blue flip-flops. The smile on his face shows a boy who finds joy in his own existence despite the adversities and poverty around him. However, this boy is not alone in this amazing image. In the foreground of the photograph is another boy, perhaps waiting for his turn in front of the white canvas. He looks away as if contemplating a lurking danger.

Girl Wearing a Sleeveless dress with flower motifs and Red Shoes

The photograph of a little girl taken in what looks like a refugee camp is beautiful and haunting at the same time. Wearing a sleeveless dress with flower motifs, the girl who is just about 4years old stands in front of the white backdrop.  On her feet are oversized red shoes that seem to have come from her elder sister or mother. Perhaps they came from the feet of a war victim. That is the story of the Syrian civil war children. There is so much innocence in this picture. In what seems an attempt to get herself ready for the photograph, the girl uses her arm to clean her mouth. It was at that moment that the camera went click. Not even the atmosphere of poverty could take away from the charm of the girl in the picture.

A  Boy on a Bicycle With His Father Brings Focus to the Syrian Civil War

The picture of a boy on a bicycle with his father standing beside him is another important image from the Syrian civil war children project. Standing in front of the white canvas backdrop placed in the ruins in the ruins of the Syrian civil war, they smiled as they gazed into the camera. Moments like this are very rare in the Syrian civil war zone.  Because of the war, parents do everything to spend every moment with their children. This is one of such moments.

These images of the Syrian civil war children are thought-provoking and gripping. However, there are people who will look at some of the images and call it a romanticization of the impact of the Syrian civil war experience as it relates to the war children. But, there is more to this project than many people will ever know. In addition to endangering his own life, Amir was able to collect images that show the resilience of the children.

Kabir Jabbari’s pictures reveal the impact of trauma on children. Some of the images present the impact of war through the eyes of the war children. In fact, the project began with a little insight into the destruction. To begin the photo project, Amir placed the white canvas backdrop in the middle of a Syrian street. All around the backdrop is absolute destruction and horror: bombed buildings and crushed cars are everywhere. There is an eeriness about this picture that gives credence to the fact that there is nothing good about wars.

The Psychological Trauma of War

Amir Kabir Jabbari’s photographs bring attention to the duality of existence in Syria: One moment there is war and the next, silence. For the war children, the experience is even worse. The psychological trauma of war is particularly devastating to Syrian children who continue to carry the burden of this war. That is why these images are beautiful and troubling at once. Amir explains why it was necessary to present a different angle of the experience of the war children:

With this I want to take the people out of the war zone as we usually get to see them ‘media-wise’ in a destroyed surrounding. I want to give them back their personality and let them feel their importance again in this world,” he said. Amir’s photography adventure in Aleppo effectively reminds those examining the impact of the war in Syria that nothing good comes from war.

Syrian Civil War Children Photography Project

Amir’s Syrian civil war children photography project articulates the photographer’s commitment to addressing the plight of children. Through his ongoing photography project, Jabbari not only documents the physical destruction of Syria but also highlights the emotional and psychological impact of the war on its youngest victims. His commitment to these children is evident in his work in Tehran, where he is deeply involved in art therapy for children affected by social and political challenges. He volunteers as an art therapist with the association of Children with Cerebral Palsy & Autism.

A self-educated photographer, Amir Kabir Jabbari dropped out of the university to pursue his passion for photography in 2012. A restless photographer with a passion to explore new and innovative ideas, Amir has been working on various genres of photography and videography for the past six years.  For his work, Amir has won several awards and recognition. His work has received the runner-up prize in the Oxford COMPAS photo competition 2016: New Horizons held by Oxford University. Additionally, he has received the Special Motion Award – ChepCut film festival (London) in 2016 and was awarded at the Art Week in Istanbul Technical University in 2015. His Short film, Kobani 15, has won the “Lorenzo ilMagnifico” in Florence Biennale.

Is the Syrian Civil War Over?

Despite fading from global headlines, the Syrian Civil War rages on, claiming new victims every day. More than 500,000 people have died, and over 12,000 children have been killed since the war began. The conflict has caused immense suffering, with countless families displaced and cities destroyed. As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing crisis, the plight of Syria’s children remains one of the war’s most heartbreaking legacies. 

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