The hanging of Syrian feminist and activist Heba Haj Aref after a long series of threats has cast a long shadow over women activists across northwestern Syria, highlighting the dangers and lack of support they face.
In 2017, Damascus cut off the main supply of water to the northern Aleppo city of al-Bab. Every year since, finding safe water for drinking and agriculture has grown increasingly difficult. This year was the worst yet, and the city’s stopgap solutions are growing less effective.
In northwestern Syria, hundreds of makeshift refineries have mushroomed in the past five years, employing thousands of people. With no regulation, their impact on health, life and the environment is catastrophic.
Two workers at a makeshift oil refinery in Tarhin speak about their job, the hardships they endure and the dreams they hold for the future.
