The Destruction of Daraa (Part 4)

Click here to watch Part 1 now: bit.ly/1joW6b6
In March 2011, Syrian citizens began protesting oppressive government rule in the city of Daraa. Assadi government troops fired on the protesters, resulting in the beginning of the war in Syria.
Three years later, rebels are still in a deadlocked civil war with President Bashar al Assad and his sympathizers that continues to rip the country apart.
VICE went to Daraa, where the loss to the people of Syria is apparent on every bombed-out street corner, to see where the revolution started and where it continues to this day.
Check out the Ground Zero Syria playlist for more: • Ground Zero Syria
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[@Rebelzize]

The world is allot shitier when we look beyond our safe borders

[@TheSnobar]

Its really sad that this is what people think of syria nowdays due to all of this ... Syria before all this war was one of the most amazing countries .. the history it had the people the food the culture the cities all were amazing and each told a story. Mosques where right next to churches, the cities are decorated throughout the year due to the many celebrations all of the different religions had . I currently live in europe and I still think syria my home country is amazing .. I have met allot of people europiens who have went to syria at least once in there life and they all said that it was an amazing experience and italians liked syria the most. The problem is that our countries only come in the news when there is something negative like this war that it funded by outsiders. And just as there are shittier places outside your borders there are also nicer places that you wont be able to see if you dont leave your country .

[@Rebelzize]

Im not talking about the country being shitty... Im saying this situation is shitty :p no need to lecture me brah

[@Deathspirit232]

***** I try to understand your weak message and ill ask, does the country or the situation need to be destroyed, and why?

[@radio420am]

our borders arent safe. they are the exact opposite of safe. we're being overrun right now.

[@ZachGH1]

***** Ok, "brah".

[@flipKumar]

The guy who talks in this video from the beginning is very poetic. He is a good man. I hope he finds peace and love.

[@Casey5693]

I can't help but feel heartbroken for this guy. Because of the conflict, almost all of his friends are dead.

[@XxCODownagexX]

13,000 people lived here, and now it's a ghost-town.

[@OmgItsZippy]

It's good to have you back, old man.

[@basnijland9453]

surely, you can't be serious?

[@acalindigital]

When guy says: Its either victory, or the grave! than you know they will fight till the end...THE VICTORY!!!

[@turkeyhouse264]

Vice please do more videos like this. It's good to see this type of stuff. Not a lot of other media do this type of stuff

[@NightOwlEd]

Great documentary, Vice.

[@ImLonelizz]

When he was talking about his dead brother, THE FEELS

[@redline6871]

the feels are real

[@ImLonelizz]

all aboard on the feel train

[@HULKBIGHEAD]

AWEOME VIDEO VICE

[@rex_schd]

despite in middle of war this alah's warrior got time to groom his beard and mustache so beautifully ?

[@ImLonelizz]

Exactly my thoughts

[@rex_schd]

***** guess all fighters love media attention and publicity..

[@aehabist]

did you see any shelling at the time of the interview ? so obviously he have time

[@Gehirnesser]

Tubal Cain I always give the benefit of the doubt but I also have seen many videos where they staged stuff and it showed how and when they did it also there was a video which showed how someone made himself ready before a CNN interview

[@JustEpicVlogs]

You are so fucking stupid to say that, they sure have Time or that camera man wouldn't be there at all. You don't know to judge ! These people are fighting for their own country and own freedom .. What do you do?

[@4riversgd]

Sad, God Bless them.

[@Drs50Gold]

The whole world looking forward the football cup and they don't even care about syria or irak ...AMAZING LOVE THE WORLD

[@SlamdogX]

We can never have any fun until everyone in the world is happy!!!

[@gertvarva]

***** you are a joke

[@ownagepranks122]

***** your hole family is a joke

[@badmnz123]

***** brazil it self's is in a bad state

[@johnassaad492]

***** If you don't care, why are you even here?

[@mahdimahdi8247]

Thnka fo sharing the truth

[@mjay2m]

The guy is really brave hearted

[@gtp11791]

Really enjoyed this, thanks!

[@Amel-sc4jw]

In what World?do u really belong to this planète as a humaine ?

[@shadow.banned]

You guys having some issues with subtitle translations lately? Been noticing little typos here and there... not a big deal, but just saying.

[@coltenmeyer2775]

This guy is a fighter through n through things will change over there just watch.

[@mackenzierose1292]

He is a hero, one of few that didnt abandon his country...

[@coltenmeyer2775]

True that they do have quite abit of bravery.

[@mikemurray2145]

that guy gets real deep with that grave next to him

[@badmnz123]

rip to his brother

[@KerriCz]

May his brother RIP :/ I wish him luck... hope Syria is freed soon.

[@oliver_-lx2kq]

.. shoking news images from ground zero Syria !! ..

[@CruelDeathz]

i hope they sort things out. its sad that his brother died. maybe they can have some type of treaty. i dont want to see this on the news anymore

[@JNorthside512]

At least these people have the courage to overthrow their gov, america is still not doing anything about their gov

[@daflopo4]

You guys can't complain u think America is bad at least you guys have the right to vote and bare arms

[@largelysubatomic]

My govt isn't slaughtering our people by the thousands. I live quite comfortably, in fact, even though I am poor by US standards. I certainly wouldn't be better off if my country was in ruins like Syria.

[@CptTime]

What a joke comment LOL! You're just like most of the Occupy Wall street protestors believing America is under dictatorship and would love to have a revolution just to join in with some of the middle eastern counties. You're fine. You're not oppressed. You live in a free country.

[@JNorthside512]

CptTime well, then I have the right to say what ever the fuck I want

[@fahad_hassan_92]

@@JNorthside512 exactly, you have that right, many people don't have that

[@Wayzer1er]

i really respect abu-samis successor over here. The mentality these soldiers have is something a lot of you people with a hard time comprehending need to analyze, appreciate and admire. Perhaps it is inspired by religion, but it is a representation of what FAITH and BELIEF in a cause higher than yourself can inspire, which is lacking and pretty much dying in western culture. When our government turns on us, we will be the type of people to give up without a fight and line up for the slaughter. All because we are worried of our OWN mortality more than the forward progression of an entire society.... we need to stop planning for the next 5-10 years (which most people don't even plan for the next day) but start looking ahead a few generations down the line and see what we are supporting and allowing to perpetuate..... RELIGION IS NOT THE CAUSE OF THESE WARS. They are what is used to manipulate these wars and to benefit the people who USE these wars to GAIN POWER, GAIN WEALTH and GAIN MORE CONTROL over the entire population. There are NO borders, there are NO fences, not between nations, not between neighbors, we are all guests of planet EARTH and but mere nothings individually walking the planet, but the greatest force when we are united..... Please take a second to reflect and see what change is possible in YOUR life that can affect at minimum your community, at maximum the entire universe, and make a contribution, no matter how infinitesimally big or small. thanks for reading this

[@khaliloptician]

So sad

[@thedestroyer1712]

'Victory or grave' shitt got reall

[@NoobsKicker]

God bless them

[@Noddy1103]

war...war never changes.

[@spidorpiggy]

First video i've seen about syria that doesnt have people yelling ALLAH AKBAR!!!

[@denig9949]

that just translates to "god is great", whats wrong with that?

[@dom40864]

It's annoying and retarde to be screaming out your position while fighting

[@dom40864]

^religion annoys me

[@1nopoint]

***** Basically religion is used to justify stupidity and to not think critically.

[@dom40864]

Religion is old! People were apes thinking it would rain if they said it would! That's bullshit, plus to believe in god is like not believing your parents had sex to have you as their child! It doesn't make any sense! Science science science!!! Plus humanity exists because we are sex machines able to produce babies whenever we want and wars and plagues weren't enough to stop us! Plus explain to me why this god stuff allows such bad things as torture, bad deaths and misfortunes to occur? If he had the power wouldn't he want to remove all the pain and bad stuff? Unless he's a devil and like I kill people! Hopefully this opened your eyes

[@brandonwhitson1611]

I am sorry you people have to live this way and go through all that awful shit, if things dont change we here in America may end up the same way in our country some day, i hope not and i pray for a peacefull middle east, kids should not have to grow up in that type of enviroment, hopefully those schools will be rebuilt one day and full of happy kids, its a shame how much crap like this is going on world wide, dont give up hope yet though , there are still a few good people out there, i wish i could help you all out but it will take alot more than just me to put this world back on a good path, if enough people want change and enough people fight for it then there is nothing we cant accomplish

[@MrPhipper]

I wonder if Vice will ever do a series on the SAA. It would be interesting to see their point of view in comparison to the FSA.

[@TheWillIamLee87]

What is the weapon or bomb shown @ 5:00? I tried finding a picture and the closest I got was cluster bomb although I couldn't find an exact match. Anyone know?

[@mahdimahdi8247]

Tank shell

[@bismillahmashallah]

So much respect to these men willing to risk their lives for freedom

[@TheBlackB0X]

I enjoy the documentary aspects of the series, I HATE the soundtrack that acts as an emotional response motivator. Give me the data, and let me choose whether or not it seems like correct information. This said music only shows a biased view of whats happening.

[@Chavagnatze]

They always have to put in cliche sad Arabic music. That just enforces the the "programing". I wonder what dental plan he is on. All these damn near brand new AK-47/Type 56/M-70/M-72s and RPKs they have make me really suspicious. I haven't seen a shower yet. They and their clothes and shoes are always clean. Where is their cigarette supply?

[@zarahurriye4681]

Chavagnatze Yeah it's a war one, they're more concerned about fighting for survival (so will buy a gun) rather than uphold some form of sanitation. And so what you didn't see a shower? They took the crew round a school and a graveyard, was you expecting to see a shower there? Maybe they get their cigarettes from a shop in a near by district?

[@Chavagnatze]

Zara Hurriye If the infrastructure is destroyed where are their supplies coming from. Who is really behind this "civil war"? For Syria, it may just be a western-backed destabilization operation; for everyone else, its a goldmine.

[@KoderMagic]

To be fair, besides a bit of music there was no other interference from VICE. Just raw content.

[@TheBlackB0X]

KoderMagic Yes, but music can put a slant on a documentary, and in this case it does.

[@muhammadwalimwali3452]

Masha Allah

[@wahnkhan]

InshaAllah Ya Akh!

[@infinitecanadian]

What a dreadful place Syria has become.

[@bigbowlowrong]

tbh it was always pretty dreadful.

[@infinitecanadian]

bigbowlowrong I heard that it was a little better before the war.

[@infinitecanadian]

***** So I have heard, but now it is terrible.

[@MutinyInteractive]

where did he get that vest and what is it? Manufacturer etc. ?

[@SiestaMyWaifu]

Probably He Seized It From The Assad's Military

[@theotaylor1226]

Truth

[@illest_centaur_ever1387]

NOW THATS GANGSTA..

[@thatindiandude4602]

First of all, I don't like what this guy stands for. But when he started on about his dead brother. It was hard not to get shaken. :(

[@williamg8631]

Sad how many shits take things for granted. People living in this obscured materialistic world. Too bad we can't really help these people with peace. We should be grateful that we got a lucky roll on some geographical dice and didn't end up there. Hopefully all the violence ends, at the end of every evil there is good.

[@VVK108]

5.53 this was my classroom I used to study here and see now has to take guns and fight idk its just fate of ppl of that land or mere polictics gng on between nations watever it should end soon let peace prevail...!!

[@SkinnyFatBoyzz]

man, when he was telling that story about his brother though ffs

[@mjodr]

Is it a coincidence this guy's beard is impeccably manicured?

[@devilkino]

the Gaydar is off the charts with this rebel leader

[@m33sopotamian]

haters gonna hate arabs gonna negotiate

[@jeremyamundsen537]

@@devilkino FSA was way gay! 😂😁🤣

[@kevjtnbtmglr]

why is there game of thrones soundtrack on the background?

[@PicuPiee]

VoS Draug lmao he's right dude it's good ...

[@presidentofkekistan2690]

because they are having a trial by combat

[@KoderMagic]

James Saunders Well played sir.

[@StrangerYann]

I understand how passionately they hate Bashar who bombs hospitals full of citizens. But what's the alternative those guys are putting forward? If they win this fight and Bashar's the one in the ground in the end, what are the rebels' plan for Syria? What will THEIR love of Allah translate into?

[@iAmCynical]

Damn the subtitles were done terribly for these videos.

[@mariabardo7347]

For those who are posting comments about this man's beard, and do NOT know anything about military, it is called discipline and field sanitation. Some armies are more disciplined than others. That's all.

[@Mgwps63]

yes, I am moved at the quaffed soldier's sad stories, but I want to know more...."the relentless carnage and horror that has engulfed Syria over the past two and a half years has taken a particularly heavy toll on the country’s Christian minority. An unknown number of civilians, including religious figures, have been kidnapped or killed or remain missing, in a conflagration that seems to have no end…." This fact needs more investigating and reporting so that the people all over the world can hear the stories of the non Muslims...who are being systematically uprooted and destroyed in Syria today! yes The martyrs!! Are you guys going to do a documentary on the CHRiSTIAN and JEWISH Martyrs? How about one on the destruction of the ancient orthodox Christian churches, and Jewish Temples,artifacts, manuscripts?? Why does no one care about these people? this poor minority? I have heard enough about the poor rebels and the mighty government over there!

[@BeyondWrittenWords]

I'd be fucking depressed see my home town in that condition; and the future doesn't look too bright. What's the point in this shit?

[@zarahurriye4681]

The situation is very complicated. But as he said in the end, it has come to the point of either victory or death. Assad has given them no other choice.

[@aldekorea]

what the fuck, this is defenety worst vice video I've ever seen. One guy saying how good and poor they are and how bad is Assad, with dramatic music on the background, man! You guys could have made your propaganda more subtle, you managed to that before, but come on, this is insulting.

[@dqwelldarius-bowman-willum3687]

THAT BEARD IS CLEAN AS FUCK!!!!

[@donatelondo1533]

They should split the country folowing religious beliefs. All countrys in Africa and the middle east are formed based on the remains of colonialism. This is the root of a lot of the problems. And the global financial system too, funding this madness for profit and personal gain.

[@chazzalinko]

An interesting idea, but do you think that will lead rise to countless bloody crusades and jihads the world over?

[@122UintahStreet]

"we won't negotiate or agree to elections" does not sound like the rhetoric of secular, moderate rebels

[@frankjeager9365]

"we won't negotiate, we won't agree to elections, we won't forget the martyr's blood." Well, here's a fine example of when a freedom fighter crosses the line into terrorist territory.

[@tychobrahenig]

He really only said about four things, and then repeated them over and over. He was speaking his own language I don't understand why he was trying to hard to force these little ideas over and over. I found him I just can't not get angry with this man that I believe is making things up for the camera to seem more dramatic. Doesn't seem necessary in a revolution.

[@cosf36]

Is this FSA guy still alive and fighting?

[@zuto96]

The new Farcry game should take place here

[@gzrh1]

Every documantory by VICE on syria has been from the rebels point if view. After all bill maher is the producer

[@Paflos]

Hi

[@TheGerogero]

The xylophone bit was fucking funny though.

[@thomashaben4910]

This is fsa they are freedom fighter their not the people who yell and scream saying Allah wakbar. Those who yell are Isis or al-nusra they fight for quran. I hope u learned. God bless fsa

[@SiestaMyWaifu]

You Are Right 👍🏻

[@MKPStudios]

This is why I live in America...

[@affansonicfan]

الله اكبر! !God is the GREATEST

[@fadiashush7286]

علشان رفع راية لا اله الا الله....

[@ghosty1233]

That guy does the Obama Ughhhhhrhrhh thing in the middle of sentences. Anyone notice that?

[@bena5097]

everyone speaks as if they know, but no one really knows the truth

[@DontFeedTheTrolls]

"no one"? really? ... Just because you don't know shit doesn't mean nobody knows.

[@jeremyamundsen537]

STFU brainwashed ZIonist shitbag

[@mevineven869]

Zionist shits nation

[@TheMeanConservative]

Can someone tell me the FSA's end game? What do they want Syria to look like if they win the war?

[@Dib4ma]

Let them start with different political partys, a REALLY ellected president that *dont* rule 30 years longs and inherite the presidency to his son when he die... I hope the FSA becomes more reasonable after Al-nusra and Isis splitted out from it and thar they have learned their lesson about fundementalism..

[@Dib4ma]

Tragicly the civic revolution is dealt with as Assad started shoting protesters, and they started recruiting jihadists from all over the world.

[@HVDisc]

Are u guys fking stupid, do u even know what FSA goal is? Its been agreed they will fight in the banner of Allah and will APPLY SHARIA law if they win. No way in hell they will thought, fk u all cunts who support them.

[@user-tf8qx9ov8b]

Syria needs a new Government one that isn't corrupt like Bashar Al-Assad who kills his people in the country and rules the country for years then inherite the presidency to his son or family. Bashar Al-Assad is sick. Now as for rebels they must go also because alot of them (not all of them) are associated with terrorist groups who hate the world especially the west (U.S). The world has to do something in Syria because the innocent people are in the middle of this and Bashar is starting to use chemical weapons in his country and the world hasent done anything!!! We've ignored it as nothing.

[@IudiciumInfernalum]

HVDisc I take it you're for democracy? But against sharia law? If the majority wants sharia law that sounds pretty democratic to me.

[@bmwyaseen1671]

الله يحفظكم god bless FSA

[@HULKBIGHEAD]

I LIKE THIS MUSLIM BROTHER SHOWING US AROUND.

[@rex_schd]

I have seen other war torn places footage where people would be in shabby dress and fatique filled faces but in syria it is different...this guy in footage not only have a well groomed face also a well cleaned dress unusual in a conflict.. i am sure this is filmed for their financiers abroad no doubt syrian war is well funded

[@theotaylor1226]

It's good some people are showing the truffle

[@Okiine]

full support to these rebels.. fuck all of that arrogant crap alot of people are saying about these guys.. maybe they do maybe they dont do terrible things to people but they are fighting for more of a reason then america or canada or the uk or anything has in the past 20 years lol

[@SiestaMyWaifu]

Yes

[@db.sarvestani6554]

he forgot t mention he was trained and armed in Jordan and sent on a paid mission of jihad in Syria .... join my friends for protest my ass

[@j.b.oconnor6284]

I'm not exactly 100% sure about the whole thing. Could somebody give me a hand? These lads are just the regular civilians, genuinely fighting for their country? But there is another, or are other groups who are Taliban or Al Qaeda?

[@muhumads]

In Islam ,if another muslim is being oppressed and can't help themselves then it's the duty of all the Muslims to help , but at the same time you have groups who help but end up thinking they know what's best for the people in need , which usually is wrong and then end up fighting for power. Some people call themselves Muslims but pick and chose what they want out of the Quran. This whole thing could have stopped if all the Muslims freedom fighters worked for the Syrian freedom fighters and picked 1 guy to run the country.

[@Superman20000]

marketing much?

[@Superman20000]

***** and that make them any good? just marketing. Rebels also wiped out christian communities.

[@MistRVertexZ]

***** Yes it makes them good. They fight for peace and freedom not money and leadership

[@Superman20000]

***** of course sam, it is for power and money, not like viking is saying.. fighting for freedom... that's so naive. That is like saying that Saddam Hussein was a bad guy when he was a main ally of the US. And it is exactly bc of that hypocrisy that im saying the guys of vice are portraying this people as saints when they are murders just as the people in the other side. I would recommend to viking not to watch CNN too much.

[@TheShenmueMaster]

Down with Bashar!!!!!!

[@rollerboogie]

The music they play during this guy talking really makes me think of this video as propaganda. I don't feel like you should play sad music like that because it makes the viewer emotional and more likely to support that guy. News should show information and people's views from a neutral standpoint. Interview this guy and then a guy with the opposite opinion and don't play any music. People have to see both sides to understand the conflict.

[@jackpage5829]

This is horrible, if only I could join them

[@TheMrsixflag]

clean uniforms. well shaven..great actors..cough

[@gforce3750]

real life battlefield. so fucked up.

[@Sniperification100]

May Allah give these people victory over the oppression of Asad and whoever is supporting him. These people are fighting for the right reasons so stop trolling and have some sympathy towards them. This is an interview, it is a big deal for a fighter so of course he'll get ready for it and look his best.

[@NNNHH55]

"Rebels"

[@chewyalba9824]

fresh shape-up for a guy in a war ! wierd....

[@Zainano]

I hope non-muslims dont get hurt.

[@henrymorgan3982]

America in a few years.

[@PAPILLON584]

this is not a documentary, this a propaganda with music!!

[@vas1900]

hahahaha its lol. Both sides are the same.. s this guy "guide" is on drugs ? I think so... pathetic

[@F145h1]

Syria, Iraq, Israel, Palestine should have all qualified for the world cup that is what FIFA could at least do and get people minds of Violence but into Football instead!

[@bubshab]

Enough of the heart-string tugging crap Vice. Don't fuck your shit up now...

[@guinefortCH]

Bring some sick shit with ISIL.

[@handlehandle651]

Too many stupid people commenting.

[@looncan7484]

coming to a city near you in the u.k very soon... VOTE-UKIP

[@trippy9613]

Well its my first comment on youtube. I cldnt resist cz those videos about Daraa are the worst videos of Vice! we kept listening to unknown liars, we didnt get any important information or see some actions! just BULLSHITS !!

[@ratagris21]

What gets me is that all of these guys repeat themselves over and over....say it once and move on the subject just don't dwell on it as it becomes very boring.

[@RyanB1987]

When are people going to stop believing in sky fairies?

[@banama1758]

god damn dat beard

[@209sub0]

Allah akbar kkkkkhaaaabomb

[@MrR0o]

So when I say that religion poisons everything, I mean to say it infects us in our most basic integrity. It says we can't be moral without big brother. Without totalitarian permission. We can't be good to one another without this. We must be afraid. We must also be forced to love someone who we fear. The essence of sadomasochism. The essence of abjection. The essence of master and slave relationship. I say that this is evil. - Hitchens

[@LuxiusDK]

Excerpt from "God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything"? I'm in the process of reading it, as a matter of fact ;-)

[@MrR0o]

Christen Stephansen Good book. You should have read it by now, yes? One of my favorite to lend people who are sat on the fence. Logic and reason will eventually overcome religious dogma. Here is hoping I see the day it happens ^__^

[@johnhunter5490]

this is low level propaganda