At the beginning of September, the Facebook page Humans of Aleppo shared a message from Ahmad.
In the post, Ahmad explains why he chose to remain in Syria throughout the war. “Aleppo is part of me, I can’t leave it alone. I feel sorry that Aleppo is facing all this horror, but I can still breathe its freedom,” he said.
“It is not possible to risk my two children’s lives at this deadly point, they are all I have in this world,” Shamel once said.
“My name is Shamel Al-Ahmad. I am 35 years old married and have two children.”
“My life changed when I saw a video of the Syrian regime’s security forces while they were humiliating my people and treading on their heads in Bayda, Banias.”
“In July 2012, the freedom fighters entered my city, Aleppo. We were out of the regime control, and I didn’t have to hide my identity anymore.”
“The risk of being detained is over, but my city turned into an open space for the regime to target all its opponents. Artillery, fighter jets, barrel bombs and even scud missiles. We experienced all those lethal weapons that I documented with my lens. I thought these pictures would tell the story and push the international community to act or at least help the civilians, but lately I’ve realized that was hopeless.”
“Months ago, somebody offered me to join on a boat trip to Europe. We talked about it many times and I was about to accept it, but eventually I said no…” Shamel explained.
“Syria is my country and my cause.”
“Despite all the reasons, which increase every day and push me to leave, I am the kind of person who can’t survive away from their streets. Aleppo is part of me, I can’t leave it alone. I feel sorry that Aleppo is facing all this horror, but I can still breathe its freedom.”
“I was saddened by friends who I lost and who I’m still losing, especially those who are close and brothers in revolution. Many of them lost hope and are not able to carry on. I don’t blame them, but I just feel sorry for not having them around me.”
At the bottom of the post, the moderator of Humans of Aleppo explained that Ahmad died on the day the post was published, succumbing to injuries from a recent air raid that had also killed his wife. They are survived by their 5-year-old, their 2-year-old, and their newborn.
On the day of Ahmad’s death, a march was held in his honor.
Ahmad was founder of East Aleppo’s media center and was a significant figure in the opposition. His death prompted a wave of tributes from colleagues and friends.
Ahmad’s funeral took place on Sept. 4. His coffin was covered with the flag of the Syrian Opposition.
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