{"id":3205,"date":"2025-04-27T16:10:24","date_gmt":"2025-04-27T16:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/?p=3205"},"modified":"2025-07-07T13:12:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T13:12:08","slug":"portrait-of-a-generation-at-war","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/en\/stories\/portrait-of-a-generation-at-war\/","title":{"rendered":"Portrait of a generation at war"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3205\" class=\"elementor elementor-3205\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-080a223 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"080a223\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5474ea7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5474ea7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Portrait of a generation at war<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1123d54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1123d54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"autorestoria\">by Luca Catalano Gonzaga<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd368a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"bd368a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1980\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1980\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Part of <b>A shameless life<\/b> <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M177 159.7l136 136c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-22.6 22.6c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L160 255.9l-96.4 96.4c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L7 329.7c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l136-136c9.4-9.5 24.6-9.5 34-.1z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-angle-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M143 352.3L7 216.3c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.6-22.6c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l96.4 96.4 96.4-96.4c9.4-9.4 24.6-9.4 33.9 0l22.6 22.6c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9l-136 136c-9.2 9.4-24.4 9.4-33.8 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1980\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc9d454 e-con-full e-flex wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fc9d454\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1980\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c08f530 e-grid e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c08f530\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9d46f2 elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"a9d46f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/stories\/surgical-treatment\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LCG_01-768x512-1-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-120\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LCG_01-768x512-1-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LCG_01-768x512-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/stories\/surgical-treatment\/\">Iraq - 2016<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">Surgical treatment<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b40fb5b elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"b40fb5b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/stories\/iraq-burns-and-trauma\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Iraq07-768x512-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-132\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Iraq07-768x512-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Iraq07-768x512-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/stories\/iraq-burns-and-trauma\/\">Nasiriyah, Iraq - 2016<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">Burns and war-related traumas<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76ccecd elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"76ccecd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/stories\/iraq-restoring-smiles\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LCG_01-768x512-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-136\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LCG_01-768x512-2.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LCG_01-768x512-2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/stories\/iraq-restoring-smiles\/\">Nasiriyah, Iraq - 2016<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">Restoring smiles<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db4d243 elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"db4d243\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/stories\/portrait-of-a-generation-at-war\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_01-768x512-1-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-130\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_01-768x512-1-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_01-768x512-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/stories\/portrait-of-a-generation-at-war\/\">Damascus, Syria - 2016<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">Portrait of a generation at war<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0cd5af elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"d0cd5af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/stories\/life-under-the-rubble\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LCG_06-768x512-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-131\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LCG_06-768x512-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LCG_06-768x512-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/stories\/life-under-the-rubble\/\">Damascus, Syria - 2016<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">Life under the rubble<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee8287c elementor-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-box\" data-id=\"ee8287c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-box-wrapper\"><figure class=\"elementor-image-box-img\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/stories\/afghanistan-the-endless-war\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LCG_01-768x512-1-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-137\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LCG_01-768x512-1-2.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LCG_01-768x512-1-2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"elementor-image-box-content\"><h3 class=\"elementor-image-box-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/stories\/afghanistan-the-endless-war\/\">Mazar-i Sharif, Afghanistan - 2016<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"elementor-image-box-description\">The endless war<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b84d1a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2b84d1a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"postbox\"><div class=\"expcont\"><div class=\"postbox\"><div class=\"expcont\"><div class=\"postbox\"><div class=\"expcont\"><div class=\"postbox\"><div class=\"expcont\"><div class=\"postbox\"><div class=\"expcont\"><div class=\"postbox\"><div class=\"expcont\"><div class=\"postbox\"><div class=\"expcont\"><div class=\"postbox\"><div class=\"expcont\"><p>War has the ability and the power to transform the spiritual approach which usually every human being has with existence. Try to ask a child of Aleppo, Homs or Damascus what he wants to be when he grows up.\u00a0 He will respond enthusiastically: \u201cA soldier!\u201d. There are no \u201cpop-stars\u201d around there, the local heroes have become the Army generals rewarded with medals for bravery, injured or dead on the front. Then suddenly a whole generation, young people between 18 and 25, found itself leading a life that many had not even imagined. Some of them threw themselves in the front lines to fight with weapons, while others have chosen to stay in the back, in war hospitals, to repair any kind of trauma. \u201c<strong><em>Portrait of a generation at war<\/em><\/strong><em>\u201c<\/em>\u00a0is the photographic reportage by\u00a0<strong>Luca Catalano Gonzaga<\/strong>\u00a0telling the story of young nurses who medicate young soldiers who in turn sacrificed themselves to defend their future. Hand in hand, united by one goal: to free Syria against foreign invasion. In this reportage, photos of young men admitted to the hospital Youssef Al Asma Damascus, in traumatic conditions, which nevertheless proudly display on their smartphone images taken directly in the hot zones of conflict, strictly in military uniform. On the other side, the nurses , in their uniforms, as they pose, timidly, just moments before going in to surgery. (text by\u00a0<strong>Sebastiano Caputo<\/strong>).<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-093cb5f e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no wpr-column-slider-no wpr-equal-height-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"093cb5f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23675cc elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"23675cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;arrows&quot;,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Carosello d&#039;immagini\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper swiper-image-stretch\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_01.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Lubna, 22 years old, who has just graduated in medicine, has started working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus only a few months ago.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Lubna, 22 years old, who has just graduated in medicine, has started working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus only a few months ago.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_02.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Hamer, 20 years old, had enlisted as a volunteer in the Syrian army . A mortar in the military post where he was on guard, caused for him to be hospitalized. On his skin still the signs of the violent impact.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Hamer, 20 years old, had enlisted as a volunteer in the Syrian army . A mortar in the military post where he was on guard, caused for him to be hospitalized. On his skin still the signs of the violent impact.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_03.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Ruta, 23 years old, has just graduated in medicine and has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for three years now.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Ruta, 23 years old, has just graduated in medicine and has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for three years now. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_04.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Mohammed, 30 years old, fought the historical battle of Khan El Sheh remaining unscathed by shrapnel from a bullet that just grazed his right eye, now infected.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Mohammed, 30 years old, fought the historical battle of Khan El Sheh remaining unscathed by shrapnel from a bullet that just grazed his right eye, now infected.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"5 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_05.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Rula, 23 years old, has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for two years.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Rula, 23 years old, has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for two years. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"6 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_06.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Mohammed, 20 years old, enrolled as a volunteer and was then sent to the front lines in Aleppo. He was shot in his lower back in a firefight with insurgents. In the photo on his cell phone he appears proudly dressed in his military wear. He used to be very strong, now because of the paralysis in his body, he weighs only a about fifty kilos.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Mohammed, 20 years old, enrolled as a volunteer and was then sent to the front lines in Aleppo. He was shot in his lower back in a firefight with insurgents. In the photo on his cell phone he appears proudly dressed in his military wear. He used to be very strong, now because of the paralysis in his body, he weighs only a about fifty kilos.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"7 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_07.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Maran, twenty years old, has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for only four months.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Maran, twenty years old, has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for only four months. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"8 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_08.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Hussein, 23 years old, hit on the side by a bullet a few months ago, is lying on the hospital bed, paralyzed, wrapped in a woolen blanket. In the photograph he shows the corpse of the enemy. He was in Deir Ezzor, a city literally surrounded by Daesh militia men , that survives thanks to a handful of 800 soldiers who control the airport where soldiers, food, drugs, weapons and ammunitions are parachuted.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Hussein, 23 years old, hit on the side by a bullet a few months ago, is lying on the hospital bed, paralyzed, wrapped in a woolen blanket. In the photograph he shows the corpse of the enemy. He was in Deir Ezzor, a city literally surrounded by Daesh militia men , that survives thanks to a handful of 800 soldiers who control the airport where soldiers, food, drugs, weapons and ammunitions are parachuted.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"9 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_09.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Dara, 21 years old, has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for one year.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Dara, 21 years old, has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for one year. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"10 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_10.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Ala, 25 years old, was rushed to the hospital in Damascus after the explosion of an anti-tank mine exploded in the village of Khan El Sheh. The burn only took a few minutes to make the boy&#039;s face unrecognizable.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Ala, 25 years old, was rushed to the hospital in Damascus after the explosion of an anti-tank mine exploded in the village of Khan El Sheh. The burn only took a few minutes to make the boy's face unrecognizable.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"11 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_11.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Selwa 27 years old, has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for seven years.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Selwa 27 years old, has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for seven years.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"12 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_12.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Ahmad, 20 years old, was with Ala in the tank destroyed by a mine in the village of Khan El Sheh. The burns have damaged his eyesight.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Ahmad, 20 years old, was with Ala in the tank destroyed by a mine in the village of Khan El Sheh. The burns have damaged his eyesight.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"13 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_13.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Ala Bilal, 40 years old, a graduate in Medicine and Surgery, is married with five children.  She is a Syrian army medical officer.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Ala Bilal, 40 years old, a graduate in Medicine and Surgery, is married with five children.  She is a Syrian army medical officer.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"14 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_14.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Samar, 32 years old, was driving a Syrian Army tank in the village of Khan El Sheh when he suddenly passed over a land-mine planted in the ground.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Samar, 32 years old, was driving a Syrian Army tank in the village of Khan El Sheh when he suddenly passed over a land-mine planted in the ground.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"15 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_15.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Alia, 24 years old and Mohammed, 30 years old, both medical nurses, have recently married after having met at the Youssef Al Asma hospital of Damascus, where they are currently working.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Alia, 24 years old and Mohammed, 30 years old, both medical nurses, have recently married after having met at the Youssef Al Asma hospital of Damascus, where they are currently working.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"16 di 16\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/LucaCG_16.jpg\" alt=\"Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Alia, 24 years old and Mohammed, 30 years old, both medical nurses, have recently married after having met at the Youssef Al Asma hospital of Damascus, where they are currently working.\" \/><figcaption class=\"elementor-image-carousel-caption\">Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Alia, 24 years old and Mohammed, 30 years old, both medical nurses, have recently married after having met at the Youssef Al Asma hospital of Damascus, where they are currently working.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Portrait of a generation at war by Luca Catalano Gonzaga Part of A shameless life Iraq &#8211; 2016 Surgical treatment Nasiriyah, Iraq &#8211; 2016 Burns and war-related traumas Nasiriyah, Iraq &#8211; 2016 Restoring smiles Damascus, Syria &#8211; 2016 Portrait of a generation at war Damascus, Syria &#8211; 2016 Life under the rubble Mazar-i Sharif, Afghanistan &#8211; 2016 The endless war Iraq &#8211; 2016 Surgical treatment Nasiriyah, Iraq &#8211; 2016 Burns and war-related traumas Nasiriyah, Iraq &#8211; 2016 Restoring smiles Damascus, Syria &#8211; 2016 Portrait of a generation at war Damascus, Syria &#8211; 2016 Life under the rubble Mazar-i Sharif, Afghanistan &#8211; 2016 The endless war War has the ability and the power to transform the spiritual approach which usually every human being has with existence. Try to ask a child of Aleppo, Homs or Damascus what he wants to be when he grows up.\u00a0 He will respond enthusiastically: \u201cA soldier!\u201d. There are no \u201cpop-stars\u201d around there, the local heroes have become the Army generals rewarded with medals for bravery, injured or dead on the front. Then suddenly a whole generation, young people between 18 and 25, found itself leading a life that many had not even imagined. Some of them threw themselves in the front lines to fight with weapons, while others have chosen to stay in the back, in war hospitals, to repair any kind of trauma. \u201cPortrait of a generation at war\u201c\u00a0is the photographic reportage by\u00a0Luca Catalano Gonzaga\u00a0telling the story of young nurses who medicate young soldiers who in turn sacrificed themselves to defend their future. Hand in hand, united by one goal: to free Syria against foreign invasion. In this reportage, photos of young men admitted to the hospital Youssef Al Asma Damascus, in traumatic conditions, which nevertheless proudly display on their smartphone images taken directly in the hot zones of conflict, strictly in military uniform. On the other side, the nurses , in their uniforms, as they pose, timidly, just moments before going in to surgery. (text by\u00a0Sebastiano Caputo). Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Lubna, 22 years old, who has just graduated in medicine, has started working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus only a few months ago. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Hamer, 20 years old, had enlisted as a volunteer in the Syrian army . A mortar in the military post where he was on guard, caused for him to be hospitalized. On his skin still the signs of the violent impact. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Ruta, 23 years old, has just graduated in medicine and has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for three years now. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Mohammed, 30 years old, fought the historical battle of Khan El Sheh remaining unscathed by shrapnel from a bullet that just grazed his right eye, now infected. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Rula, 23 years old, has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for two years. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Mohammed, 20 years old, enrolled as a volunteer and was then sent to the front lines in Aleppo. He was shot in his lower back in a firefight with insurgents. In the photo on his cell phone he appears proudly dressed in his military wear. He used to be very strong, now because of the paralysis in his body, he weighs only a about fifty kilos. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Maran, twenty years old, has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for only four months. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Hussein, 23 years old, hit on the side by a bullet a few months ago, is lying on the hospital bed, paralyzed, wrapped in a woolen blanket. In the photograph he shows the corpse of the enemy. He was in Deir Ezzor, a city literally surrounded by Daesh militia men , that survives thanks to a handful of 800 soldiers who control the airport where soldiers, food, drugs, weapons and ammunitions are parachuted. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Dara, 21 years old, has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for one year. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Ala, 25 years old, was rushed to the hospital in Damascus after the explosion of an anti-tank mine exploded in the village of Khan El Sheh. The burn only took a few minutes to make the boy&#8217;s face unrecognizable. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Selwa 27 years old, has been working as a hospital nurse at the Youssef Al Asma Hospital in Damascus for seven years. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Ahmad, 20 years old, was with Ala in the tank destroyed by a mine in the village of Khan El Sheh. The burns have damaged his eyesight. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Ala Bilal, 40 years old, a graduate in Medicine and Surgery, is married with five children. She is a Syrian army medical officer. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Samar, 32 years old, was driving a Syrian Army tank in the village of Khan El Sheh when he suddenly passed over a land-mine planted in the ground. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Alia, 24 years old and Mohammed, 30 years old, both medical nurses, have recently married after having met at the Youssef Al Asma hospital of Damascus, where they are currently working. Youssef Al Asma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 2016. Alia, 24 years old and Mohammed, 30 years old, both medical nurses, have recently married after having met at the Youssef Al Asma hospital of Damascus, where they are currently working.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-stories"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3205"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3205\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8426,"href":"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3205\/revisions\/8426"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.witnessimage.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}