08/12/2024
With deep sadness and sorrow, we mourn the loss of a young photojournalist and friend, Anas Al-Kharbouti, one of our alumni from 2020-2021.
Anas, born in 1992 in Damascus, Syria was a talented and courageous young freelance photojournalist. He was one of the brightest students to participate in our training programs, where he showcased exceptional talent and a deep passion for photojournalism. According to Syrian colleagues, at approximately 10:00 AM today, near the town of Morel in the northern Hama countryside, while on assignment for the German News Agency DPA, he and a small group of journalists were targeted by a Syrian airstrike and Anas was killed. During the recent fighting in Syria, four other journalists and media workers have been killed, Mustaf al-Sarout, Alaa al-Abrash, Ahmad Al-Omr and Jamal Al-Abdallah.
The loss of Anas is a great tragedy for his family, and for our profession. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and we pray for God's mercy upon him and strength and patience for his loved ones.
By Ali Arkady for The VII Foundation
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Photo by Omar Haj Kadour