The New Breed: Young, Revolutionary, Iraqi Photographers on the Frontline

With text by Mysa Kafil-Hussain, art historian and researcher.

Following years of corruption, political instability and a lack of basic services, a kindling flame of discontent became an explosion of exasperation in Iraq in late 2019. The predominantly youth-led October Revolution reinvigorated a population that had been abandoned, marginalized and wildly underestimated. This inspired a new generation of local photographers to show the world what was happening to them, their people and their country, bearing their protest slogan with pride—“nureed watan” (“we want a homeland”). What was once a playground for Western NGO and war photographers has been reclaimed in recent years, and these ten photographers—just a fraction of the talented creatives across Iraq—strive to show not just their revolution and the destruction wrought by years of conflict, but also the beauty of every day life in a country which has been overlooked and vilified for decades.

Tiba Sadeq. Courtesy of the Artist.

“The female presence in photojournalism is very small in Iraq,” says Tiba Sadeq, who slowly learned how to use her camera through online workshops. She was fascinated by war photography and inspired by how the photograph was “a great tool for transmitting the truth.” Tiba refused to be intimidated by gender norms, and documenting the revolution ultimately became the catalyst for her career as a photojournalist. She was fearless in the face of riot police, live bullets, and tear gas canisters, also sharing her photographs through Instagram. “It was like a battle front and I always wanted to take photographs in situations like that,” she muses. @tibasadeq

Taha Hussein (Alexander)
“A photograph can express things that can’t be expressed with words. One image can tell you things we can’t even say.” @alexander.tahaov

Haider Husseini
“The protests were hard for me, and I think for every photographer… the extreme violence, it was just like a war zone with some moments even worse than the war itself.” @haider_husseinii 

Abdullah Dhiaa al-Deen
“The most important story I’ve worked on was about a group of young men in Baghdad whose job in the revolution was to block tear gas canisters. Security forces were aiming them directly at demonstrators and these men put out the bombs and stopped the gas spreading.” @abdullalii 

Amir Hazim
“The 2019 protests were a special experience. It was my first time using a camera for such a big event. My days were filled with so many unforgettable, insane memories.” @amirhazimx

Karrar Nasser
“On the first day of demonstrations in Tahrir Square, people were gathering slowly and I climbed a concrete barrier to take photos. I started filming and moments later saw riot police throw smoke bombs at us. I fell onto the ground with my camera, and lost the battery amid the protestors’ feet. I searched for it and didn’t run even though I knew the smoke would be harmful and could make me faint, like in the movies. I found the battery, washed my face because my eyes were burning, got up and started photographing again.” @karrarphotos

Hussein Faleh
“Through my photos, I try to convey two sides to the world: the reality of events through journalistic photos; and the beautiful side of Iraq and the city of Basra in particular.” @hussein.faleh.raheem

Mortada Emad
“What drew me to photography was the beauty of this great world in which you can freeze a happy or sad moment in time.” @mortadaphotos

Zaid al-Obeidi
“I want to show that Iraq exists and that my city exists. Iraq and Mosul have been destroyed, and I want to show this to the outside world.” @zaidalobayde1

Ayman al-Amiri
“Photography is not just a hobby for me, it's my career, it’s even more than just that. It’s a lifestyle for me, it’s something that gives me peace and it’s a way for me to express myself and my inner thoughts.” @aymanalamiri