Photo Gallery Life at A Syrian Rebel Border Post
Zakkaria Ahmad is responsible for the Syrian border crossing to Turkey at Salama. Before the civil war he was a merchant, the owner of a newsstand located a few hundred meters from the border. Today he is a rebel leader.
Here, a delegation from Turkey can be seen entering into Syria at the Salama border crossing. For the first time, Turks recently met with the rebels now managing the border checkpoint. In the background, the rebels' flag as well as that of Turkey can be seen flying.
Here, rebel chief Ahmad can be seen speaking with Asim Güzelbey, the mayor of the neighboring Turkish city of Gaziantep. They discuss the situation with the refugees who are arriving daily from the embattled city of Aleppo as they flee to Turkey. Refugee camps in Turkey are already overflowing with people.
Yusuf Odaba, the governor of Turkey's Kiliz province (wearing the white shirt), is also a part of the delegation. Rebel chief Ahmad says that many refugees have also been provided for on the Syrian side of the border. But there is a lack of bread, water and cooking fuel. He is hoping the country's Turkish neighbors can provide a helping hand.
The building of the Syrian border authority is pictured here. At this site, border guards loyal to dictator Bashar Assad defended themselves against insurgents. Sandbags can still be found stacked on the roof that the Assad fighters took cover behind during combat. Around two weeks ago, Assad's forces were driven out of the posts.
Assad supporters also set up protective barriers in front of the border post. Today, the rebels are in charge here.
This bank branch is the only building that was destroyed during fighting at the Salama border.
Since taking command, rebels have removed portraits of President Bashar Assad from the border posts. Two shoes have been placed on top of one of the portraits -- in what is considered a disparaging gesture in the Middle East.
A Syrian rebel guards the Salama border post. "We're showing that we can not only carry out a revolution," says one rebel, "but that we can obviously also control the border in an orderly way."
Customs inspection: Syrian rebels check the baggage of refugees who have fled the besieged city of Aleppo. "We need to show people abroad that we are in a position to maintain control," says rebel boss Ahmad.
Ahmad can be seen here speaking to two Turkish policemen. He says he knows just how important it is for the rebels to convey the right image -- not only to neighboring Turkey, but also to the world. After all, a Syria without President Assad is still unimaginable without major support from the international community.
