Ammar Awad

Ammar Awad

Based
Jerusalem
Born
Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories
Status
Photographer
“Covering the Yemeni revolution is the assignment that left the biggest mark on me.”

Beat

I cover breaking news and features.

One Shot

. Ramallah, Israel. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat enters a helicopter as he leaves his compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
“This is the last image I took of Yasser Arafat prior to his death. I camped outside Arafat’s headquarters for two days and waited for the helicopter to arrive to take him to Amman. I managed to shoot only one frame. There were many photographers there but I was one of the happy few who managed to capture him whilst boarding.”

Profile

I learnt photography whilst I was at high school. I took a one-year class where I learnt the basic skills. After that, I went out and taught myself everything I know.

Covering the clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians near Ramallah in 2000 was my first assignment for Reuters. Israeli soldiers took over the house in a Palestinian village to use as a base, and scuffles ensued between the two sides. I felt I captured some strong images from that story.

In 2011, I was sent to Yemen for four months. Covering the Yemeni revolution is the assignment that left the biggest mark on me. Media presence was scarce and it was a challenge to cover. I had to be extremely careful, and felt that I had to be very discreet.

I have very vivid memories of the day Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh sent his soldiers to speak to the powerful Al-Ahmar family who opposed him. Whilst the soldiers were speaking to them, other pro-government soldiers came and fired at the Al-Ahmar house. They killed both their own men and the members of the Al- Ahmar family. The following morning I managed to access the village and as I entered I soon realised that I was the only photographer who had got inside. I shot the pictures I needed for the story and then captured some video footage for Reuters television since they didn't make it into the village either.

I am excited to cover breaking news and feature stories; they put me in situations that enable me to create powerful images. International news stories also drive me and they are essential to reaching a wider audience.