"IMAGINE yourself operating on a patient when you are being attacked by barrel bombs and missiles. Your hands are shaking, the hospital is shaking, soil could go in the patient's wounds while you are operating and then you have to wait a while until the strike stops and carry on."
These days, Dr Ayman Alshiekh, 38, is a surgeon in an immaculate, hospital in Manchester city centre.
But only a few years ago, the doctor was facing the unthinkable - trying to save lives in a bloody field hospital in Syria, being hunted by a brutal regime.
Ayman spent his childhood in his beloved home country of Syria, one of the world's most ancient centres of culture. Attending primary school, he dreamed of becoming a doctor, understanding from the beginning that he was called to come to the aid of those in need.
From his primary school days, he excelled in sciences, working hard to get the grades to pursue an education in medicine. Ayman graduated from the University of Aleppo in 2010 and started his training in vascular surgery in Damascus.
But by 2011, Syria was not a peaceful place to call home anymore. Protests began in March of that year, amid shoots of hope that the country's authoritarian ruler Bashar alAssad might be overthrown.
Ayman was among the young people taking part in what has since become known as the Arab Spring, where protests for a move to democracy spread across the region to the likes of Libya, Egypt, Yemen and Bahrain. But the dictator responded with a campaign of violence and terror against those pleading for a fairer world.
In the middle of his third year of training, Ayman was forced to abandon his studies. Ayman suddenly found himself at the heart of a revolution and began work as a war surgeon in a field hospital.
"Our hospitals were always a magnet for attacks. We were attacked by missiles, by bombs, simply because we were treating casualties," he said.
Bu hikaye MEN on Sunday dergisinin January 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye MEN on Sunday dergisinin January 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Bethell relishing Old Trafford T20 decider
JACOB Bethell was pleased to get down to business for England after admitting he struggled to shut out the external noise during a low-key international debut.
Is this turning point that boss so badly needs?
Victory buys Ten Hag breathing space, but now United must capitalise on it
Food for thought for the Insta diners
Why we need to disconnect from our phones for the best eating out experience
'It would normally be packed but now! it's a GHOST TOWN'
Traders warn they won't survive the loss of spaces after water company closed car park
Man used trafficked woman to make more than £100k
A MAN profited from the exploitation of a vulnerable woman to the tune of more than £100,000.
'You imagine there would be a lot of barking but it was silent?
The devastating Manchester Dogs Home fire ten years on
Couple's home hit by car for THIRD time
Pair forced to evacuate property
Shopkeeper faces £20k costs to undo changes he made
Business owner was refused permission for work already done
Disorder'more anti-government than racism'
Barrister makes claim as thug who attacked bus during trouble outside hotel housing asylum seekers jailed
'There's no characters left'
Traders and customers' sadness as shutters come down on market for final time