Aleppo, Syria – Abu Ahmad uses his phone’s torchlight to illuminate an explosive discovered in the basement of a former regime military outpost, which now serves as the base for the Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets.
Abu Ahmad is the commander of this location for the White Helmets, who have worked tirelessly to save lives and provide emergency aid during the war and after the 2023 earthquakes.
The volunteers moved into the building shortly after the opposition, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), captured Aleppo on December 30, eventually leading to the downfall of Bashar al-Assad.
Abu Ahmad describes the remnants of the former regime, including discarded military uniforms, tank shells, and personal belongings left behind during the retreat.
Pro-regime graffiti remains, with messages like “With our soul, with our blood, we’ll sacrifice for you, Bashar,” though “Bashar” has been crossed out with a red X.

The work continues

After 13 years of conflict, the White Helmets’ tasks are far from over. They focus on clearing rubble, demining, and searching for mass graves – remnants of the brutal struggle for Aleppo and the city’s status as one of the war’s most devastated urban areas.
Experienced volunteer Abu Ahmad, part of the initial White Helmets team in 2013, has witnessed the brutal realities of war, including Russia’s devastating bombing campaigns targeting rescue workers with their “double taps” tactic.
Before the war’s battles, the site housed a fire station, and after the regime’s retaking of the city, firefighters resumed service alongside military personnel. Abu Ahmad now aims to include these firefighters in the White Helmets, despite their former allegiance to al-Assad.
Abu Ahmad states, “We forgive them for what they did. What’s important is working together to rebuild the city.”