Renowned photojournalist Anas Alkharboutli, 32, was killed in an airstrike near Hama, Syria, while covering the latest fighting in the country.
Witnesses confirmed that Alkharboutli, who worked for the German Press Agency (dpa), lost his life while documenting the advance of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Alkharboutli, originally an engineering graduate from the University of Damascus, shifted his career to photojournalism in 2015 to capture the realities of the Syrian civil war. Joining dpa in 2017, he quickly became known for his compelling images and videos, earning multiple international accolades.
In 2020, he was awarded the Young Reporter Trophy at France’s prestigious Bayeux Award for war reporting. The following year, he won the sports category at the Sony World Photography Awards with a series showcasing children practicing karate.
Dpa editor-in-chief Sven Gösmann expressed profound sorrow over the loss, stating:
“All of us at dpa are in shock and deeply saddened by the death of Anas Alkharboutli. We will honour his journalistic legacy. With his pictures, he not only documented the horrors of war but also worked tirelessly for the truth.”
Alkharboutli’s death highlights the persistent dangers journalists face while reporting from conflict zones. His work, often capturing the human side of war, remains a testament to his courage and dedication to truth in journalism.
