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Syria: the absolute barbarity, Robert King

Today heavy fighting between the Free Syrian Army and the Syrian Army who is now being supported by the Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon left scores dead and many more wounded. Among the wounded being treated in the field hospital were two young brothers and their young sister. The three children were wounded after a rocket fired from the Syrian army exploded inside their home © Robert King / Polaris / Starface

Wounded children ages 2-6 are treating inside the local field hospital. Six wounded children were treated after the Syrian Army attacked the town of Almouh with heavy artillery and tank fire. The volunteer doctors and nurses of this and many other field hospitals face arrested, torture, and certain death if they are captured by the Syrian regime. These doctors are labeled as terrorist by the Syrian regime for honoring their Hippocratic oath and must work under harsh conditions with little medical supplies that must be smuggled into the city from Lebanon. Despite these odds the doctors are able to see over 100 patients per day and conduct life saving operations daily © Robert King / Polaris / Starface

Wounded children ages 2-6 are treating inside the local field hospital. Six wounded children were treated after the Syrian Army attacked the town of Almouh with heavy artillery and tank fire. The volunteer doctors and nurses of this and many other field hospitals face arrested, torture, and certain death if they are captured by the Syrian regime. These doctors are labeled as terrorist by the Syrian regime for honoring their Hippocratic oath and must work under harsh conditions with little medical supplies that must be smuggled into the city from Lebanon. Despite these odds the doctors are able to see over 100 patients per day and conduct life saving operations daily © Robert King / Polaris / Starface

Wounded children ages 2-6 are treating inside the local field hospital. Six wounded children were treated after the Syrian Army attacked the town of Almouh with heavy artillery and tank fire. The volunteer doctors and nurses of this and many other field hospitals face arrested, torture, and certain death if they are captured by the Syrian regime. These doctors are labeled as terrorist by the Syrian regime for honoring their Hippocratic oath and must work under harsh conditions with little medical supplies that must be smuggled into the city from Lebanon. Despite these odds the doctors are able to see over 100 patients per day and conduct life saving operations daily © Robert King / Polaris / Starface

Wounded children ages 2-6 are treating inside the local field hospital. Six wounded children were treated after the Syrian Army attacked the town of Almouh with heavy artillery and tank fire. The volunteer doctors and nurses of this and many other field hospitals face arrested, torture, and certain death if they are captured by the Syrian regime. These doctors are labeled as terrorist by the Syrian regime for honoring their Hippocratic oath and must work under harsh conditions with little medical supplies that must be smuggled into the city from Lebanon. Despite these odds the doctors are able to see over 100 patients per day and conduct life saving operations daily © Robert King / Polaris / Starface

Residents of Al Qusayr gather for the funeral precession of 13 people killed in yesterday's assault on the town by Syrian forces. Among the dead was local camera man Abdelhamid Idris Matar who died while filming a Syrian tank advancing on the City of Qusayr. The dead were laid the rest in the Martyrs Cemetery © Robert King / Polaris / Starface

Medical volunteers treat wounded Free Syrian Army soldiers inside a home after the field hospital reached capacity. Syrian Army attacked the city with heavy artillery and tank fire. The volunteer doctors and nurses of this and many other field hospitals face arrest, torture, and certain death if they are captured by the Syrian regime. These doctors are labeled as terrorist by the Syrian regime for honoring their Hippocratic oath and must work under harsh conditions with little medical supplies that must be smuggled into the city from Lebanon. Despite these odds the doctors are able to see over 100 patients per day and conduct life saving operations daily © Robert King / Polaris / Starface

During a temporary cease fire the Syrian Army allowed local villagers to collect and identify their dead. Hundreds of bodies were inside a local Mosque that was also destroyed during the two day siege. Assad's Army has increased their attacks on rebellious villages with attack helicopters, T72 tanks, and heavy artillery despite agreeing to honor the 6 point peace plane established by the United Nations © Robert King / Polaris / Starface

Residents of Al Qusayr gather for the funeral precession of 13 people killed in yesterday's assault on the town by Syrian forces. Among the dead was local camera man Abdelhamid Idris Matar who died while filming a Syrian tank advancing on the City of Qusayr. The dead were laid the rest in the Martyrs Cemetery © Robert King / Polaris / Starface

Men watch the town of Taftanaz burn as the Syrian Army ' s assaults the city. For the last 2 days the Syrian Army has been attacking the town of Taftanaz from the air and ground using tanks, helicopters along with heavy artillery. President Assad' s has increased their attacks on surrounding villages loyal to the Free Syrian Army despite agreeing to honor the 6 point peace plane established by the United Nations © Robert King / Polaris / Starface
Today heavy fighting between the Free Syrian Army and the Syrian Army who is now being supported by the Hezbollah fighters from Lebanon left scores dead and many more wounded. Among the wounded being treated in the field hospital were two young brothers and their young sister. The three children were wounded after a rocket fired from the Syrian army exploded inside their home © Robert King / Polaris / Starface
The images you are going to see are abhorrent, unbearable. But Robert King, a veteran photojournalist took them so that we might see and understand the plight of the Syrians.
Robert King, a photojournalist for the Polaris photo agency, says that he, “had never seen anything like it.” At forty-five, King is hardly a beginner. He started out in Sarajevo, and any photographer will tell you that the Yugoslav wars were no cakewalk. He also covered the conflict in Chechnya, a “dirty” war, like all the rest. But nothing could prepare him for the things he saw in Syria. He had to overcome his emotions to bear witness to them: “If you let your tears blur your lens, you’re useless.”
Read the full text of this article on the French version of La Lettre.
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Michel Puech
