The Syrian Civil War Pt.5: The Siege of Southern Damascus

11 snips

Apr 16, 2025

Matar Ismail, a documentary filmmaker and political activist from Masyaf, shares his gripping experiences from the Syrian Civil War. He discusses his early activism and the risks he faced while documenting protests, including imprisonment and torture. Matar vividly recounts the brutal Siege of Southern Damascus, detailing the dire humanitarian crisis and the complex dynamics between rebel factions and the Assad regime. His personal stories highlight the resilience of his community amidst unimaginable hardships, as well as the toll of war on civilians.

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ANECDOTE

Homecoming

Matar Ismail, a documentary filmmaker, returned to his Syrian hometown, Masyaf, after years of exile in London.
His return was a surreal experience, like transitioning between different realities in a film.

ANECDOTE

Family History

Matar Ismail's real name is Jamal Abdul Nasser al-Umar, named after the Egyptian president.
His family fostered political activism and critical thinking from a young age.

ANECDOTE

Documenting Protests

As a media student, Matar documented Syrian protests using a hidden digital camera.
He concealed protesters' faces for their safety and uploaded footage online.

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Conflicted returns with another episode in our series on the Syrian Civil War, this time with a new contributor, who begins today a two episode arc where we’ll be looking at the Siege of Southern Damascus…

Thomas Small has invited on Matar Ismaeel, a documentary filmmaker and political activist from Masyaf, Syria. Now back in his homeland after years of exile, Matar speaks to us from Masyaf itself, relaying an extraordinary story of resilience and courage in the Syrian capital.

Matar tells us about his family's political background, and his early involvement in documenting protests on his digital camera in 2011. He recounts the dangers he faced as a media activist, including arrests and torture in Syrian prisons. Matar's commitment to the revolution led him to southern Damascus, where he witnessed the brutal siege by the Assad regime and the rise of jihadist groups, including ISIS. The conversation highlights the complexities of the conflict, the humanitarian crisis, and the personal toll of war.

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