Freelance
December 20, 2013, in Aleppo, Syria

Barakat, a freelance photographer who published with Reuters, was killed during a rebel assault on Kindi Hospital, a regime position in the northern city of Aleppo, The Associated Press reported. Reuters said he had submitted dozens of photos since he started working with the agency in May 2013.

The rebel assault on the hospital, which rebels said had been turned into a government barracks, began with two suicide bombers attacking the building, news reports said. The opposition Aleppo Media Center told AP that Barakat was killed in the fighting while in a nearby carpet factory. His brother, a rebel fighter, was also killed in the factory. The Aleppo Media Center later posted a picture of Barakat's bloodied camera.

There were conflicting reports on Barakat's age, ranging from 17 to 19. Barb Burg, Reuter's global head of communications, told CPJ that Barakat was born on March 8, 1995, making him 18 when he began submitting photos to Reuters. The same birthdate is listed on his Facebook profile, according to a screenshot acquired by CPJ. Burg said that he was not on assignment for Reuters, but he sent photos to the agency on an ad hoc basis.

Medium:Print, Internet
Job:Photographer
Beats Covered:Human Rights, Politics, War
Gender:Male
Local or Foreign:Local
Freelance:Yes
Type of Death:Crossfire/Combat-Related
Suspected Source of Fire:Military Officials, Political Group

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.