Afghanistan
An Afghan man feeds pigeons in front of local mosque in Kabul. According to Afghan tradition feeding pigeons will bring good luck and take away all problems. December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Ashmat, 10, stands in front of truck loaded with ever needed burning wood supply as his two older cousins try to unload enough wood for freezing winter days. Winter started in Kabul with vengeance with temperature dipping to -15c overnight. Wood is the only source for heating as 70% of Kabul is without electricity. Ashmat is an orphan who lives with his extended family and spend days begging on the streets of Kabul. December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Bahara, 10, Sarah, 11 and Jamila, 8, beg for money in front of a n Afghani police officer armed with AK-47 on Kabul streets on cold winter afternoon. Temperature will dip to -15c tonight. They are some of many orphan kids who roam streets of Kabul in hope to get money, food or clothing. December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Khadir, former Mujaheddin fighter is now aid worker helping provide clothing and food to needy kids of Kabul. December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Ghulam Ali who describes him self and an American from Texas and an Afghani from Kabul resides in both places and often visits Kabul. He greeted us with words "Say Cheeeese and smile". December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Kabul, December 2006 - Afghan youth plays soccer in front of ruins of Darullaman Palace residence of last Afghan King Zahir Shah who fled to Italy ahead of Soviet occupation. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Jahan-Geer, a local Afghan stands in front of ruins of Darullaman Palace residence of last Afghan King Zahir Shah who fled to Italy ahead of Soviet occupation. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Anjamadin, 9, Nezamadin, 3, and Ekran, 8, stand in front of their home which once use to be part of Soviet military baracks. House has no roof, just plastic sheets, no doors or windows. December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Three years old Sayeda cries as she is comforted by her dad and older brothers. Sayeda is in desperate need of medicine. She lives in old Soviet Baracks which are destroyed by years of war and Taliban fighters. Most of the homes in this area have no roof, wondows, doors, running water or electricity. Sayeda's three month old brother died few months ago from unspecified illness. December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Striking their best pose for camera, (from top left), Isaaq, Bahara, Farah, (from bottom left) Jamila and Fakhira beg for money on Kabul streets on cold winter afternoon. Temperature will dip to -15c tonight. They are one of many orphan kids who roam streets of Kabul in hope to get money, food or clothing. December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Vendor Abdul sells meat in Old Kabul market. December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Unfriendly barber waves his scissors and yells while cutting kid's hair in old Kabul market. December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Corporal Paul Adams, 42, of Toronto is finishing off his duty as the sun set on Kandahar's sky. December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Corporal Travis Polaniec, from Meaford, Ont. stand on guard at gate security check point leading to Kandahar Air Field as local Afghan man awaits clearance to enter the base. December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Cpl. Sean Holmes, 28, from Meaford, Ont. and Cpl. Gary Gosbee, 25 from Murray Harbor, PEI, aboard Bison as part of convoy en route to Ma'sum Ghar, Panjway District west of Kandahar, December 14, 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Royal Canadian Regiment - Members of the 3rd battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment battlegroup storm a building during urban warfare exercises at CFB Petawawa Monday, June 16, 2003 for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. Army is preparing for a 6 months operation "Athena" - Canada's contribution to The UN International security assistance force under NATO leadership. Mstr. Cpl. Darrell Esson, Member of the 3rd battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment battlegroup take a break during urban warfare exercises at CFB Petawawa Monday, June 16, 2003 for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. Army is preparing for a 6 months operation "Athena" - Canada's contribution to The UN International security assistance force under NATO leadership. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Canadian solders board Bison as part of convoy en route to Ma'sum Ghar, Panjway District west of Kandahar, December 14, 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Master Corporal Scott Brown, 32 from Edmonton in Leopard tank, Lord Strathcona - Royal Canadian Horse Regiment monitors live HESH round being fired in Panjwayi District near Forward Operating Base Ma'sun Ghar, December 15, 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Master Corporal Scott Brown, 32 from Edmonton in Leopard tank, Lord Strathcona - Royal Canadian Horse Regiment disposes HESH round after fire in Panjwayi District near Forward Operating Base Ma'sun Ghar, December 15, 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Soldiers from 22 RER group from Valcartier play poker during duty break in Panjwayi District near Forward Operating Base Ma'sun Ghar, December 15, 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Major Michael Wright (right) and Corporal Jeff Burtch, A Company 2PPCLI from Shilo, Manitoba patrol near Bazaar-e-Panjwayi village (background) in Panjwayi District near Forward Operating Base Ma'sun Ghar, December 15, 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Royal Canadian Regiment - Members of the 3rd battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment battlegroup storm a building during urban warfare exercises at CFB Petawawa Monday, June 16, 2003 for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. Army is preparing for a 6 months operation "Athena" - Canada's contribution to The UN International security assistance force under NATO leadership. Mstr. Cpl. Darrell Esson, Member of the 3rd battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment battlegroup take a break during urban warfare exercises at CFB Petawawa Monday, June 16, 2003 for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. Army is preparing for a 6 months operation "Athena" - Canada's contribution to The UN International security assistance force under NATO leadership. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Local Afghan named Khadr covers his ears as Leopard tank, Lord Strathcona - Royal Canadian Horse Regiment passes by in Panjwayi District near Forward Operating Base Ma'sun Ghar, December 15, 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
A lone Canadian soldier climb up the mountain towards observation post near Ma'sum Ghar forward operating base early morning December 17, 2006, on the first staging day of what was described as major NATO operation "Baaz-Tsuka" against Taliban in Souther Afghanistan. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Local Afghans build sand bags positions for Canadian soldiers at Ma'sum Ghar forward operating base early morning December 17, 2006, on the first staging day of what was described as major NATO operation "Baaz-Tsuka" against Taliban in Souther Afghanistan. Afghans are employed through work for cash program run by Canadian military reservists. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Local Afghan Mohammad Sadeem gives thumbs up to his fellow Afghans who are building sand bags positions for Canadian soldiers at Ma'sum Ghar forward operating base early morning December 17, 2006, on the first staging day of what was described as major NATO operation "Baaz-Tsuka" against Taliban in Souther Afghanistan. Afghans are employed through work for cash program run by Canadian military reservists. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)
Cpl. Sonia Mathieu, 27, of Valcartier, QC is little shy around Santa, AKA Kandahar Bob AKA Robert Johnson, civilian who works on the base and plays Santa, second year in a row. December 2006. (Alex Urosevic for The Toronto Sun)