Week in Photos: From Damascus to Notre-Dame
In Damascus, thousands searched morgues for loved ones missing during Assad's rule, while the destroyed statue of his father, Hafez al-Assad, outside the Baath headquarters marked the end of five decades of family dominance.
Dec. 13, 2024
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - From the momentous collapse of Syria's Assad regime and its aftermath to the cheerful preparations worldwide, AFP photojournalists captured major moments this week.
In Damascus, thousands of families searched hospital morgues for their loved ones who vanished during Assad's ruthless rule, while the smashed statue of his father, Hafez al-Assad, outside the Baath party headquarters signified the end of five decades of family rule.
In the meantime, life continued as usual elsewhere: John Kani reprised his role as Rafiki for "Mufasa: The Lion King" in South Africa; farmers across Europe voiced their disapproval of agricultural policies.
For the first time since the fire broke out in 2019, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris held its first service.
Furthermore, traditional festivities from Guatemala to Cameroon revealed the world's cultural diversity.
Damascus, Syria - A Syrian woman, who lost two of her children, reacts as she couldn't find the body of her third child (portrait), who was detained in 2012, outside of the morgue of Damascus hospital on December 12, 2024, as people try to identify the bodies of relatives. In the corridors of Damascus's main hospitals, thousands of families have gathered for the foreboding mission of trying to find the bodies of loved ones captured years ago by the Syrian authorities.
Damascus, Syria NOTE: Graphic content - A man looks at a human remains in the morgue of Damascus hospital in the Syrian capital on December 12, 2024, as people try to identify the bodies of relatives. In the corridors of Damascus's main hospitals, thousands of families have gathered for the foreboding mission of trying to find the bodies of loved ones captured years ago by the Syrian authorities.
Damascus, Syria - A broken statue of late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad lies outside the Baath party offices in Damascus, on December 12, 2024. Islamist-led rebels took Damascus in a lightning offensive on December 8, ousting Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria.
Saydnaya, Syria - An armed man walks past a mechanical press at the Saydnaya prison in Damascus on December 11, 2024. After Assad's overthrow, thousands flocked to Saydnaya prison hoping to find loved ones who disappeared in government jails. Saydnaya is believed to have several underground levels sealed behind airtight gates.
Damascus, Syria - An aerial photo shows the destroyed buildings at the Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees in southern Damascus on December 10, 2024. The fall of president Bashar al-Assad has put Syria at a crossroads, after nearly 14 years of civil war sparked by his deadly crackdown on democracy protests.
Johannesburg, South Africa - South African actor, director and playwright John Kani smiles during a photocall ahead South Africa’s premiere of Disney’s “Mufasa, the Lion King” in Johannesburg, on December 12, 2024. John Kani who had previously lent his voice to the wise Rafiki in the 2019 remake of the Lion King, will reprise the role of Rafiki in the 2024 prequel film “Mufasa: The Lion King”.
Paris, France - This photograph shows a general view of the Opera Garnier's Grand Staircase, in Paris, on December 9, 2024.
Kolkata, India - People travel on a motor cart on a foggy winter morning in Kolkata on December 12, 2024.
Kolkata, India - Farmers ride past a field on a foggy winter morning in Kolkata on December 12, 2024. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)
Seoul, South Korea - Demonstrators from a labour group take part in a protest calling for the ouster of South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol outside City Hall in Seoul on December 12, 2024.
Tegucigalpa, Honduras - A soldier with his face painted takes part in the celebration of the 199th anniversary of the Honduran Army, at the Parada Marte field, in Tegucigalpa, on December 11, 2024.
Yokohama, Japan - A man walks past the autumn leaves in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on December 12, 2024.
Dijon, France - Farmers dump manure and tyres near the Burgundy prefecture to protest against the consequences of government censorship and EU-Mercosur agreement, in Dijon, central eastern France on December 11, 2024. Farmers complain about excessive bureaucracy and low incomes, but they're also fed up with poor harvests and losses from emerging animal diseases. Farmers also protest against the free-trade agreement between the European Union and the Latin American countries of Mercosur, with Paris leading resistance against ratification of the deal that would create the world's largest free trade zone.
London, United Kingdom - A farmer drives a tractor past two double deck buses during a stop “the death of British Farming” demonstration, to protest against changes to inheritance tax rules for land ownership for farmers, in central London, on December 11, 2024.
Rome, Italy - AFP PICTURES OF THE YEAR 2024 - Pope Francis reacts as he participates in the Italian conference of the general State of Natality, in Rome on May 10, 2024.
Kostyantynivka, Ukraine - A Ukrainian soldier drives a vehicle on a road leading to the town of Chasiv Yar, in Kostyantynivka, eastern Donetsk region, on December 10, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A missile strike killed two and wounded more than a dozen in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, officials said on December 10. Southern Ukraine has seen intensified strikes this autumn, reinforcing fears of a new Russian offensive in the area.
Kuwait City, Kuwait - A visitor looks at weapons used for hunting and battles on a display at the Red Fort museum in Jahra, west of Kuwait City, on December 8, 2024.
London, United Kingdom - A visitor looks at an artwork entitled 'Kaikai Kiki Style “Karajishi-zu Byōbu”' by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, during a photocall for his forthcoming exhibition 'Japanese Art History à la Takashi Murakami', at the Gagosian Gallery in London on December 10, 2024.
FOUMBAN, Cameroon - Inhabitants from Foumban dance during the 548th edition of the Nguon festival of the Bamoun people in Foumban on December 8, 2024. Tourists and officials flocked to a remote region to attend a governance ritual held as part of the 548th "Ngouon", a royal festivity that dates back to 1384 when the kingdom was founded. Its rite, which puts the monarch's popularity to the test, had not been celebrated in six years but was recognised in December 2023 by UNESCO as intangible heritage of humanity.
Prayagraj, India - A worker gives final touches to a temporary mega tent amid preparations ahead of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, along the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, in Prayagraj on December 9, 2024.
Accra, Ghana - Supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama celebrate after the Electoral Commission of Ghana pronounced him as the winner of the 2024 presidential elections, in Accra, on December 9, 2024. John Mahama won the weekend presidential election with 56 percent of the vote, defeating ruling party candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia who earned 41 percent, the electoral commission said on December 9, 2024, announcing official results.
Paris, France - The Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich leads prayers for the consecration of the main altar, designed by French artist and designer Guillaume Bardet which replaces the old one that was destroyed in 2019, during a mass at the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, in Paris on December 8, 2024. Newly restored Notre Dame cathedral is set to hold its first service for the public on December 8, 2024 after a historic re-opening ceremony that saw firefighters, builders and artists celebrated for their work saving the 12th-century masterpiece. The beloved Paris monument nearly burned down in 2019, but has been renovated inside and fitted with a new roof and spire during a frenzied reconstruction effort since then.
Michendorf, Germany - Athletes in Santa Claus costumes take part in the "Michendorfer Nikolauslauf" fun run on December 8, 2024 in Michendorf, south of Berlin, eastern Germany.
Nairobi, Kenya - Company members of the Dance Centre Kenya (DCK) perform on stage during The Nutcracker at the Kenya National Theatre in Nairobi on December 7, 2024. The Nutcracker is a beloved Christmas ballet, first performed in 1892, with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Known for its enchanting score and festive themes, it has become a holiday tradition worldwide.
Dakar, Senegal - Models pose for a portrait ahead of the final show of Dakar Fashion Week at Parc Hann, Dakar, December 7, 2024.
Guatemala City, Guatemala - A devil's figure is set ablaze during celebrations in honor of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception in Guatemala City on December 7, 2024. The event marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Guatemala.
