A Kurdish patient at Sulaimanya Teaching Hospital, Iraq, suffers from serious burns after a bomb explosion near her home. Numbering 26.3 million, the Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Since the end of the first World War they have been scattered around different countries. In Iraq and Turkey, Kurds form almost a quarter of the population, with smaller minorities in Iran and Syria. In Iraq, they achieved virtual autonomy, but this has been severely undermined by factional fighting between warlords.

Kurdish woman and child in Iraq. Numbering 26.3 million, the Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Since the end of the first World War they have been scattered around different countries. In Iraq and Turkey, Kurds form almost a quarter of the population, with smaller minorities in Iran and Syria. In Iraq, they achieved virtual autonomy, but this has been severely undermined by factional fighting between warlords.

Kurdish women air their grief at the funeral of a young land mine victim in Chanchamal, Iraq. Numbering 26.3 million, the Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Since the end of the first World War they have been scattered around different countries. In Iraq and Turkey, Kurds form almost a quarter of the population, with smaller minorities in Iran and Syria. In Iraq, they achieved virtual autonomy, but this has been severely undermined by factional fighting between warlords.

Kurdish soldiers line up for a training session under the flag of Kurdistan, not recognized by anyone. Numbering 26.3 million, the Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Since the end of the first World War they have been scattered around different countries. In Iraq and Turkey Kurds form almost a quarter of the population, with smaller minorities in Iran and Syria. In Iraq, they achieved virtual autonomy, but this has been severely undermined by factional fighting between warlords.

A wounded Kurdish child is brought to a medical centre for war victims in Iraq. Numbering 26.3 million, the Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Since the end of the first World War they have been scattered around different countries. In Iraq and Turkey, Kurds form almost a quarter of the population, with smaller minorities in Iran and Syria. In Iraq, they achieved virtual autonomy, but this has been severely undermined by factional fighting between warlords.

A Kurdish man who lost his son to a land mine explosion in Iraq. Numbering 26.3 million, the Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Since the end of the first World War they have been scattered around different countries. In Iraq and Turkey Kurds form almost a quarter of the population, with smaller minorities in Iran and Syria. In Iraq, they achieved virtual autonomy, but this has been severely undermined by factional fighting between warlords.

Kurdish boys in a cemetery in Iraq. Numbering 26.3 million, the Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Since the end of the first World War they have been scattered around different countries. In Iraq and Turkey Kurds form almost a quarter of the population, with smaller minorities in Iran and Syria. In Iraq, they achieved virtual autonomy, but this has been severely undermined by factional fighting between warlords.

Two Kurdish peshmergas (freedom fighters) pose for a photographer in their Iraqi village, which was destroyed during the Gulf War. Numbering 26.3 million, the Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Since the end of the first World War they have been scattered around different countries. In Iraq and Turkey, Kurds form almost a quarter of the population, with smaller minorities in Iran and Syria. In Iraq, they achieved virtual autonomy, but this has been severely undermined by factional fighting between warlords.

Kurdish children in Iraq. Numbering 26.3 million, the Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Since the end of the first World War they have been scattered around different countries. In Iraq and Turkey, Kurds form almost a quarter of the population, with smaller minorities in Iran and Syria. In Iraq, they achieved virtual autonomy, but this has been severely undermined by factional fighting between warlords.

Children play among the ruins of Penjuin, a Kurdish town on the Iranian border destroyed by Saddam Hussein. Numbering 26.3 million, the Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Since the end of the first World War they have been scattered around different countries. In Iraq and Turkey, Kurds form almost a quarter of the population, with smaller minorities in Iran and Syria. In Iraq, they achieved virtual autonomy, but this has been severely undermined by factional fighting between warlords.

A Kurdish baby in Iraq. Numbering 26.3 million, the Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Since the end of the first World War they have been scattered around different countries. In Iraq and Turkey, Kurds form almost a quarter of the population, with smaller minorities in Iran and Syria. In Iraq, they achieved virtual autonomy, but this has been severely undermined by factional fighting between warlords.

Kurdish children play in a river in Iraq. Numbering 26.3 million, the Kurds constitute the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Since the end of the first World War they have been scattered around different countries. In Iraq and Turkey, Kurds form almost a quarter of the population, with smaller minorities in Iran and Syria. In Iraq, they achieved virtual autonomy, but this has been severely undermined by factional fighting between warlords.

Science & Technology,1st prize