Ebrahim Alipoor - Bullets Have No Borders | World Press Photo

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A kolbar follows an arduous mountain path. Kolbars’ packs can weigh around 50 kg, and crossings take an average of eight to 12 hours. Kurdistan, Iran, 1 June 2019
At least 2,463 kolbars were killed or injured in Iranian Kurdistan between 2011 and 2024. Every year brides become widows due to the dangerous occupation. Kurdistan, Iran, 21 March 2023
Mohammad (22) shares a farewell with his mother before embarking on a journey to Europe to seek better opportunities. Tehran, Iran, December 2023
Khaled (32) had to have both eyes removed after being shot in the head by a border guard. He has two children aged two and seven. Kurdistan, Iran, 21 August 2019
Kolbars make the perilous climb on a border crossing route known as the “Passage of Death” because of the number of lives it claims. Kurdistan, Iran, 1 June 2019
Some goods kolbars carry across the border are freely available in Iran, but fuel a thriving black market in the region that avoids import duties. Kurdistan, Iran, 1 June 2019
Cross-border transactions are conducted in US dollars, despite US sanctions on Iran. Many of the goods brought in end up in luxury stores across the nation. Kurdistan, Iran, 14 January 2019
Thousands have lost their lives crossing these mountains. Kurdistan, Iran, 8 February 2019

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