Civilians In Rojava Defending Their Neighborhoods

• Photographer
  Lander Arbelaitz, Spain
• Upon the commencement of the conflict against the Islamic State in 2014, the Kurdish movement in Rojava, Syria, initiated the organization of neighborhood-level self-defense measures. Following 12 years of development, a robust structure has been established. At the beginning of January 2026, a general mobilization was enacted, weaponry was distributed across social structures and a volunteer network comprising thousands of individuals was activated. Consequently, thousands of personnel maintain nightly surveillance at crossroads to ensure neighborhood security and prevent attacks.