North and East Syria, governed by the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAANES), is facing a decisive phase in its young history: after years of de facto autonomy, the fragile political experiment is increasingly under threat—from renewed Turkish drone strikes, a resurgent Islamic State and shifting international alliances that no longer guarantee protection.

"Love Freedom More Than Anything Else" is a photographic chronicle of a region caught between revolution and abandonment. It traces the everyday life and resilience of communities who—despite war, displacement and isolation—continue to fight for a radically democratic and gender-equal society. The project documents the human cost of geopolitical interests in a region where hope and violence coexist and where the future remains deeply uncertain.


The fall of the Assad regime has upended decades of authoritarian rule, but what follows is no peaceful transition. A new regime has emerged—quickly recognized by international powers—yet marked by massacres, the imposition of hardline Sharia law and renewed territorial ambitions. While it signals interest in dialogue with the Democratic Autonomous Administration, its actions remain threatening. As Russia quietly withdraws and the United States continues to act with marked ambivalence—its long-term role in the region increasingly uncertain—a power vacuum has opened. Turkey, meanwhile, intensifies its campaign of drone strikes and cross-border attacks, openly targeting Kurdish infrastructure and leadership. And yet, in the face of mounting pressure, a renewed sense of Kurdish unity is beginning to take shape—fragile, but fueled by necessity and the enduring vision of a democratic society. Once hailed for defeating the so-called Islamic State, the Kurdish-led administration is now increasingly left to fend for itself. While the world looks away, another frontline is being drawn—one not just of territory, but of ideals.
North and East Syria, 2024–ongoing