WINNERS

Mosul

  • Photographer
    Celia C., Spain
  • Prize
    Bronze Winner in Photojournalism/Conflict

Mosul was seized by the self-proclaimed Islamic State in June 2014 and remained under its control until July 2017. During the long and devastating liberation campaign, large parts of the city were reduced to rubble. As Iraqi military forces advanced through the maze of ruins, they marked cleared areas with the word “SAFE” — along with its Arabic equivalent (aman) — to indicate that no ISIS fighters remained. This image shows one of those marked spots, a brief signal of safety in the midst of overwhelming destruction.