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Goran Tomasevic / Reuters
A Free Syrian Army fighter looks at his comrade as he gets shot by sniper fire during heavy fighting in the Ain Tarma neighborhood of Damascus, on Jan 30. The Free Syrian Army fighter on the left was wounded moments later. The fighter on the right died soon after being shot.
Photographer Goran Tomasevic has been covering the conflict in Syria for Reuters, offering the world a view into the historic city of Damascus, once strictly off-limits to journalists without a government escort. While it has become tragically routine to see violent and gruesome stories from the country’s civil war, Tomasevic’s dramatic photos from today’s front lines stand out. The series captures not only the last seconds of a rebel’s life before he is shot by a sniper, but also show as the body is taken back to his friends, while under attack. We see an intimate narrative that examines the realities of war for the rebels.
Tomasevic tells the harrowing story on the Reuters Photographers Blog:
One moment, I heard two incoming shots. I was already aiming my camera on these two Syrian rebels. I heard the scream and saw one of them get shot. He was still alive as I was shooting but dying as he was carried away.
There was intensive fighting as the rebel group I was with in a Damascus neighborhood was trying to overtake a government checkpoint some 50 meters away. There was another group of rebels who were supposed to fire rocket propelled grenades from a further distance away from the checkpoint. After that, the group I was with was meant to engage the soldiers manning the checkpoint.
At the checkpoint I could clearly see sandbags and tanks. I didn’t look at the tanks anymore because I needed to take cover. I pulled back a little to look for the best position to take pictures and how to be covered in the best possible way.
Goran Tomasevic / Reuters
Free Syrian Army fighters take position just before they were hit by Syrian Army sniper fire during heavy fighting in the Ain Tarma neighborhood of Damascus, on Jan. 30. The fighter on the right died soon after, while his comrade was wounded.
Goran Tomasevic / Reuters
Free Syrian Army fighters carry a comrade who was shot by sniper fire during heavy fighting in the Ain Tarma neighbourhood of Damascus, on Jan. 30.
There were two rebels next to me and two rebels across the street. A couple of sniper shots were fired. They were clearly sniper shots, not Ak’s, as they came one by one. I could clearly see through the lens when they actually shot the rebel. The rebel next to him was also shot and injured but he should recover after being hit in the stomach.
After the rebel was killed they pulled back maybe 20-30 meters and I took pictures of the body being taken out. The hole where the rebels had to drag the body through was really small and it was difficult to drag him through. There was a lot of fire as the rebels dragged him away.
Goran Tomasevic / Reuters
Free Syrian Army fighters run for cover as a tank shell explodes on a wall during heavy fighting in the Ain Tarma neighborhood of Damascus, on Jan. 30.
Goran Tomasevic / Reuters
Free Syrian Army fighters run for cover as a tank shell explodes on a wall during heavy fighting in the Ain Tarma neighborhood of Damascus, on Jan. 30.
A tank fired a couple of shells onto the top of the building and rubble fell down around us.
The rebels kept on fighting for a few hours. It was heavy, with a lot of RPGs and attacks on multiple sites. They pulled back after a couple of hours of intensive fighting and fired some mortar shells.
Goran Tomasevic / Reuters
A Free Syrian Army fighter fires a rocket propelled grenade during heavy fighting in the Ain Tarma neighborhood of Damascus, on Jan. 30.
Goran Tomasevic / Reuters
A Free Syrian Army fighter gestures in front of a burning barricade during heavy fighting in the Ain Tarma neighborhood of Damascus, on Jan. 30.
From what I’ve seen the fighting is up and down. The lines between the Free Syrian Army and the government army are pretty clear. Since I’ve been here it’s literally been going house by house. The other day there was a rebel next to me who was struck by shrapnel. The rebels and the government forces are close enough to be throwing hand grenades at one another. You can hear them shouting at each other.
The lines seem to be pretty much the same. One day the government takes a couple of houses and then the rebels take a couple of houses again so it is pushing back and forth.
Goran Tomasevic / Reuters
A wounded Free Syrian Army fighter cries after hearing that his friend died in a mission in the Ain Tarma neighborhood of Damascus, on Jan. 30.
Related links:
- Photos reveal Syrian rebels taking fight to Damascus
- Slideshow: Syria uprising
- Goran Tomasevic's photos of the battle for Aleppo
- 'We escaped death': Syrian refugees struggle with cold, hunger and uncertainty
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"A Free Syrian Army fighter looks at his comrade as he gets shot by sniper fire during heavy fighting in the Ain Tarma neighborhood of Damascus, on Jan 30. The Free Syrian Army fighter on the left was wounded moments later. The fighter on the right died soon after being shot."
The whole human invented turmoils are due to Sunni Islamic extremism gone beyond control.
Syria is one of the examples.
Sunni Syrian rebels are supported by the Sunni extremist killer fronts like al Qaida, MB, Salaffi and others.
Assad is by far one of the best rulers among Muslim ME rulers.
Compare him with House of Saud with 5000 princes and princesses rampaging all over Saudi Arabia.
If Assad is overthrown life will be hell for females, minority tribes like Kurds, minority Shiites and other Muslim sects, Christians, who have been leading normal life under Assad.
There was rebellion of Shiites against the despotic and highly corrupt Sunni ruler of Bahrain.
Brave Sunni rulers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwaiti, UAE and other Arab League nations sent their forces and just quelled the Shiites rebellion in no time.
See the level of to which Sunni rulers can go to suppress dissent. Bahrain is the example.
All of a sudden, these seventh century fountainheads of Sunni Islamic haters and killers, remembered “human rights violations” in Syria.
So the Sunni rulers of Arab League sent “human rights” group to Syria.
The head of the Saudi and their Arab League observers to Syria was a Sudanese Gen. The brave Gen was responsible for the genocides of at least 300000 Christians in Darfur!
Just examine the double standards of one-way traffic Sunni rulers of House of Saud and co!
I would like to ask "free and fair media": were there so much coverage while genocides of Christians were going in Darfur, Sudan and other palces?
WHY?!?! Why does NBC seem to think these pictures should be shown to the world. We really don't need to see a wounded dying man. They sure don't show abortion pictures now do they. Too disturbing.
WHY? Because they're desperately pushing for us to get involved in this morass, that's why. But thankfully, Americans aren't buying.
As Jonathan said, this is no longer a simple civil war to overthrow a supposedly "mean and nasty" ruler. This is really a PROXY war between the Sunni terrorists coming in from Saudi Arabia and the Shiite terrorists coming in from Iran. Duking it out for control of the entire Middle East, really. Thus, what the Zionist media REALLY wants is for us to get involved so we can go to war with Iran.
Open your eyes.
I'm sorry, but calling Assad "one of the best rulers" as he orders his military to kill 60,000 of his fellow countrymen just doesn't fly with sane people.
But then I see:
and now it all makes sense. You're fighting a proxy holy-war in your mind. You support Assad cause his God is closer to your God than their (the rebels) God. Got it...
Jonathan. I gather that you are either Shiite or a sympathizer. To westerners the Sunni-Shiite squabble makes little sense. I'm assuming they represent religious tribal entities who have different interpretations of the Koran or Prophet Mohammed's teachings? I also assume that Shiites are in a minority position related to power in the middle east. Also it appears to westerners that Shiites are the bad guys and Sunni's the more moderate. That is probably untrue especially if radical elements such as al Qaeda dwell within their midst. If you are indeed an "informed" Shiite/sympathizer how do you explain the ruling party in Iran?
@ Another Middle Class & Hot ticket,
Interesting. Such a reaction over seeing actual pics of war. I have no issue at all with MSNBC showing these pics (as they regularly do on their website concerning various topics). This is called REALITY.
Something tells me such a reaction as both of yours is almost out of guilt for likely having supported invading Iraq? A bit of a chicken hawk, are we?
Our society needs more of these graphic pics showing war, murder, death. Maybe then we wont have such a callous approach towards it compared to many other countries that don't censor the nightly news so Susie Q can sleep well at night.
I applaud the photographer and these rebels for their bravery. Many of you that will criticize the editors for posting these pics dont have a shred of the courage that these men do.
"They were clearly sniper shots, not Ak’s, as they came one by one."
Just brilliant.
AK's have selective fire capability meaning they can be fired full-auto or semi-auto (one bullet per trigger pull) and the author's description of the guard post being 50 meters away is certainly well within AK range.
Why do liberals continuosly embarass themselves by pretending to have knowledge of guns when they are obviously clueless on the matter? Apparently it is to fit in with and entertain their fellow liberals.
@pjam
I think the photographer, who has been in small arms battles daily, has more knowledge about what they are being shot at then some partisan dip$hit like you.
Reminds me of all the people running out of the World Trade Center and the Ones running in.....Phuck Them
Sort of ironic that in one photo the guy has Nike hat on...the Nike 'swoosh' symbolizing a free world and here it is in the middle of a religious Hell on Earth....
let them all fight it out....we stay clear out of it....
Looks like the terrorist helping to overthrow the Syrian govt, asked for it, and someone gave it to him.
Blackbird: Let me be clear on one issue.
Many Sunnis are seventh century bigoted haters and killers.
Many Shiites are tenth century ones.
To make the battles even, I support Shiites.
There two reasons: 1. I support underdogs. 2. There can't be good amounts of killings unless both sides are equal or nearly equal.
I care two hoots, if Shiites of Iran are wiped out.
But it should be done by Sunnis. Then the battles between enemies will be more fierce.
It will be a big break for a poor infidel like I. Or else, they will be on me.
And something tells ME that you'd be the first to send in your neighbor's kid to go fight over there, yet hole up your own.
ASS-umptions are fun, aren't they, pal?
*eyes roll*
Putz.
The people massacred in Darfur were Muslims too.
This great ruler you speak of backed Saddam in Iraq and backed the lebanon crazies....
Assad is a crazy man and needs to be taken down. He is killing innocent women, children and men. What frightens me are the people that don't care. I am very sad to hear about all of it and yet some of you are so cold...if it isn't on your radar, you don't care. There might be a day when you might need help from someone else. Do unto others...
Little boys with their toys, dying in the dirt.
They are fighting for their freedom while you sit home snuggled under your blankey playing make believe genius on the inernets.
Freedom fighters?? You've been watching too many Hollywood movies. Every report I've read suggests that the vast majority of the rebels are imported and not Syrian at all.
The insurgents (a.k.a. rebels) have know ties to Al-Quida just as they did in Egypt... of course you won't read it on MSNBC.
I bet those rebel scum are israeli fighters. We should have banned guns around the world since guns kill people and people just watch.
Speaking of playing genius, how many " internets" would that be?
But hey, you're right, more or less and in a way. I'm snuggled up safe and sound. That's the way I choose to live. No apologies for it.
All these pictures did was to show me how the media has helped desensitized me to violent imagery. There is a generation that has never known life without war and we want to blame video games and the entertainment industry? How about we start with the global military industrial complex. War is keeping many countries and business afloat right now. Imagine if we were not at war and did not need all of those active troops. The unemployment rate would grow exponentially and we would collapse. War is keeping our heads above water for now. We are already involved with Syria we just don't have official "boots on the ground" but we are providing support. Perhaps people do not remember a time when the US supplied a young Osama Bin Laden with weapons to fight the Russians in Afghanistan. Or US supported coups in other countries to install an individual that was US friendly. To think the US would not do that again in Syria is having too much faith in people that only care about riches and profits at the expense of people.
I keep saying this all the time. Folks like the NRA want to blame violent video games for gun violence, but consider that a person like Adam Lanza (age 20) who was born during the first gulf war, was 9 (or maybe 10) when we went to war in Afghanistan, and spent the entire rest of his life watching "Operation Shock & Awe" on the television set.
But yeah, it's "Call of Duty" and "Doom" that desensitized him to violence...
So DrowningG, do you actually think the Adam Lanza age group clock as much time watching news reports of war as they do playing at war with video games? I am sure kids everywhere are ditching cartoons and VH1 for PBS News Hour and the 24 hour "news" cable shows.
a product (e.g., a war-like video game) won't sell without a market. Demand for "war-simulation" video games comes before their production. The same can be said for violent movies.
Perpetual war in far-off locales, and "rah-rah" stories glorifying said wars makes war seem cool, and the production of said video games comes after that to satisfy market demand.
In addition, violent people are DRAWN to these games, these games do not CREATE violent people. You cannot blame violent video games but ignore our interventionist foreign policy that has been waging war almost non-stop since the end of WWII (e.g., Korea, Vietnam, Cold-war throughout, Iraq I, Afghanistan, Iraq II, and countless military "interventions" and CIA-led "coups" in between).
We should keep miles away from Shiites vs Sunni battles in Syria, Iran and other places.
Iran can buy/steal/get as many nukes as it wants from Pakis.
No tax monies either to help those being injured and killed in Islamic battles.
Oil rich Sunni rulers and their sheiks, who enriched themselves using Iraqi wars and sanctions on Iranian oil for manipulating high oil prices, foot the bill.
Instead of funding their hate preaching and killer training Salaffi and Wahhabi mosques all over the world, let these oil rich Sunni rulers open their wallet for a change and send their religious clerics, scholars and religious police to Islamic Red Crescent too.
NICE AK's!!!Totalitarian Government Vs. Armed civilians.Civilians "WINNING!!" (to quote a popular Hollywood icon). ;)
War is Hell. This aint the movies.
Thank you Goran Tomasevic for risking your life to tell the story. Your photos are magnificent... stay safe.
there's no surpus store? who goes to war in jeans?
Not our fight, and in any case we should not be supporting these 'freedom fighters' who are nothing of the kind. The fact that they are being bankrolled by Qatar and Saudi Arabia tells you all you need to know about their motivations. Any US participation or support for these people is a crime.
If war upsets you, I suggest you move to some other more peaceful planet. You cannot end a war that has been going on for 10,000 years in the Middle East.
Why show these photos? Because this is what war looks like. Kudos to NBC for showing people the realities of our human existence, and hopefully discouraging people from being too quick to go to war.
"Free Syrian Army"?
You mean Islamist extremest.
Love this good rebel / bad rebel game ..... who are the bad rebels today? it's hard to keep up with.
Without bad guys how is the military complex going to survive? those guns and bombs have to be used so as to clear the way to make more and more and more.
.
Pictures from the American Revolution or the Civil War would also be deemed "too violent" by some, to view. Nonetheless, by not showing them or not looking at them, doesn't change the fact that they and likewise the Syrian conflict happened and is happening. Reality is was it is. The continnuing depravity of Fallen man on display for All Heaven and Earth to see. Thank GOD, HE Wrote the Final Chapter of Man's Dismal History. Soon and Very Soon We Will All Be Eye Witnesses to It. Glory Be To GOD and HIS Eternal Word Forever!
Oh, yes, the continuing rhetoric of superstitious head cases no different than the Taliban. Sport, according to your superstition, all are mere actors in a pointless play; hitting their marks and spouting their lines as scripted when your imaginary buddy ejaculated the universe into being. Once again, here, religion is the problem.
As (1) a combat vet, and (2) currently a professional photographer, I have nothing but the greatest admiration, respect, awe, and wonder for the photographer who captured this series. I understand that the background polemic here is contentious, but I think ALL of the respondents who chase that rabbit are wrongheaded and missing the point. This photographer demonstrates amazing presence of mind under fire and in the most hazardous of conditions. I fully expect, adjudging from the level of drama and exposure shown in these captures, that this photographer will himself become another front-lines casualty of senseless killing and war. Combat Journalism is become a very risky business.
Please get this Reuter's photographer out of there. These are wonderful shots but I get the sense that this gentleman's time on this earth is quickly drawing to an end. The result of these photos on the world will not be worth his life. Thank you for these pictures. Best of luck to you Mr. Tomasevic; I truly hope that you get out unharmed and go on to have a successful career out of this extreme danger for many years to come.
if only guns were banned in syria those rebels would be civil and nice to each other.
The rebels got the executive order, only 10 round magazines... meanwhile syrian army uses tanks. America could be heading this way. All great powers fall look at india.
"Please get this Reuter's photographer out of there. These are wonderful shots but I get the sense that this gentleman's time on this earth is quickly drawing to an end."
the bittermon's comments are spot in.
It's the photographer's choice to be there and tell the whole world what is happing. Photographers are journalists and like our response to any journalism we may not like what we see/hear/read. But it's got to be done lest the rest of us in our little cocoons around the world go on with our lives not knowing about events that may well effect us in the future.
Consider photographer Robert Capa. He landed with the first wave of soldiers at D-Day. He said, "If your pictures aren't good enough, you aren't close enough." He died in Viet Nam, camera in hand, in 1954.
I applaud Mr. Tomasevic for telling us and showing us true stories. Just keep your head down. You'll know when it's time to leave. If you ever do.
War photos are disturbing, no way around it. It is odd that Americans feel these images are too violent when we see worse on prime time TV or video games. When it's real it's too much. Have you ever watched BBC World News, or another foreign news agency? American news is heavily sanitized. I watched BBC on 9/11 and it was far grittier and more upsetting than what you had domestically. I'm not saying that's a good thing. If I could take back the things I saw on 9/11 I would.
Since the beginning of Humanity life has had no value, only power and control over are highly valued. All these wars unauthorized or not MUST STOP.
Take a long look America, For this is what it is going to look like here, When ? I don't know, with your Government taking away your freedoms every day can the breaking point be far away?
the reason of all these carnage: Israel
and no I'm not anti-semitic, but I don't care for them either... hitler and nazi are gone, and everyone who lived thru it are now gone too, so let's get over it please.
Their presence in the middle east is a lightning rod for all kinds of extremism. Either they get rid of all their neighbors or they got rid of themselves. I see no endgame otherwise. Seriously, you want to die for your faith, be my guest, don't drag the rest of the world with you.
Even Nike got it's logo in there.
People are dying, this isn't a video game. Until this bloody Civil War spills over the borders of Syria no joint action will take place, its a sovereignty issue. The Syrian people should be entitled to have a government which protects their people instead of terrorizing them. Syrians, that is the average working "Joe" has more in common with working "Joe's" all over the world. They want jobs so they can support their families, the right to express their personal opinions, worship where they please, and justice by "the right of law". It has little to do with Zionism or anything else but the Syrian definition of "freedom". They (the rebels) feel that their freedoms need to be expanded. The government wants stability (apparently at any cost) and maybe slow "mindful" progress. Some are afraid of change. The world is changing; they see it and want to take part in it. Keep the people of Syria (all of them) in your hearts.