Capturing the Human Impact of Conflict in Syria

Ghaith Alsayed, a journalist based in Damascus, Syria, has covered significant events across the country for The Associated Press since 2019. He recently documented a compelling scene near the town of Najha in rural Damascus, capturing the essence of far-reaching conflict.

The Scene

Upon hearing that debris from an Iranian missile had landed near Najha, Alsayed set out to document the event. At the scene, in an agricultural field, a fire had erupted from the debris, fueled by night winds. The striking element for him was the sight of farmers battling flames to save what’s left of their crops, painting a picture of how conflict affects lives even away from battlefields.

Photographic Approach

Alsayed reached the site where farmers were actively spraying water on hay stacks damaged by the fire. The missile debris lay some distance away. Unlike others who focused solely on the missile, Alsayed aimed to capture the broader story. He sought an angle that included farmers, the burned field, and missile debris. After positioning himself strategically, he waited for the farmers to draw closer to the missile site. In around 15 minutes, the composition came together, encapsulating the event’s cause and consequence in one image.

Significance of the Image

Alsayed believes that impactful photographs come from visualizing the scene before capturing it. His attention gravitated towards the impact on people rather than the event itself. He focused on the farmers’ efforts to shield their land and livelihood. The image resonated because it portrayed more than a missile in a field. It depicted the interaction of civilian life with political and military events, illustrating the persistent reach of war into everyday life.

Through the image, a strong contrast emerged between the farmers trying to save their livelihood and the missile fragments symbolizing broader conflict. This visual conflict underscores that wars extend beyond the battlefield, affecting homes and fields.