Title

“The End of the Caliphate”

Publication

Getty Images

Year

2019

Category

Feature/ Photographic Essay

After months of fighting, the Kurdish-led and American-backed Syrian Democratic Forces declared, on March 23 2019, the “100 per cent territorial defeat” of the self-styled Islamic State. The group once held vast areas across Syria and Iraq, controlling a population of up to 12 million in a “caliphate” that drew tens of thousands of foreign nationals to join its ranks.

Chris McGrath’s images show masterly use of composition, natural light and range of angles. His photographic essay is of stunning quality, edited to explore how daily life continues amid the devastation of the conflict. Alongside brutal images of death and destruction are glimpses of everyday lives: kids selling cigarettes, a brass band looking miserable, women and children fleeing.

  • DEIREZZOR, SYRIA - FEBRUARY 16: Civilians arrive at an SDF position on the outskirts of Bagouz after walking hours to flee fighting on February 12, 2019 in Bagouz, Syria. Civilian numbers fleeing fighting have increased in recent days after the beginning of a final operation by the US-led coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to oust ISIS from Bagouz, the last village held by the extremist group. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
  • HAJIN , SYRIA - FEBRUARY 16: People stand amid rubble on a street on February 16, 2019 in Hajin, Syria. Civilians have begun returning to some small towns close to Bagouz that were recently liberated by the US-led coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Fighting continues in a small section in the west of Bagouz. SDF General Ciya announced today that ISIl fighters were holding just a 700sq meter area. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
  • BAGOUZ, SYRIA - FEBRUARY 09: Civilians who have fled fighting in Bagouz board trucks after being screened by members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) at a makeshift screening point in the desert on February 9, 2019 in Bagouz, Syria. After weeks of fighting the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the start of a final operation to oust ISIS from Bagouz the last village held by the extremist group. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
  • AS SUSAH, SYRIA - FEBRUARY 16: An SDF fighter walks down a empty street amid destruction on February 16, 2019 in As Susah, Syria. Civilians have begun returning to some small towns close to Bagouz that were recently liberated by the US-led coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Fighting continues in a small section in the west of Bagouz. SDF General Ciya announced today that ISIl fighters were holding just a 700sq meter area. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Judges’ comments:

“An extremely strong body of work; raw and emotive. Chris McGrath captures the scale of war, and the different groups of people affected, with painterly use of natural light. The composition is artistic and the details are human and memorable.”