Survivors of War

September 2018

More than a year after victory was declared over the Islamic State in Iraq, the struggle was far from over for civilians who had survived ISIS’s brutal occupation and the battle to liberate their cities. The fight for Mosul became one of the deadliest urban battles since the Second World War. An estimated 9,000 to 11,000 civilians were killed during the conflict, according to an Associated Press investigation, while thousands more were injured by explosive weapons used by both ISIS militants and the US-led coalition in the effort to retake the city.

For many survivors, the impact of the war did not end when the fighting stopped. Those injured continue to live with severe physical disabilities and deep psychological trauma, often with limited access to the specialised medical care and rehabilitation services needed to rebuild their lives.

In September 2018, I was commissioned by the international humanitarian organisation Handicap International to photograph men, women, and children in Iraq who had survived injuries caused by explosive weapons. Listening to their stories was a powerful reminder that conflict does not end with the declaration of victory, and that the consequences of war continue long after the frontlines fall silent.

The portraits shown below were later exhibited in twelve cities across France as part of the annual Pyramid of Shoes campaign, an international event that pays tribute to survivors of explosive weapons, denounces the use of such weapons in populated areas, and raises awareness of their devastating impact on civilians.