THE TAWARGANS

Tewargha Is today a ghost town after being ethnic cleansing by anti-Gaddafi forces in August 2011. Everything is destroyed and burnt down.
Tewargha Is today a ghost town after being ethnic cleansing by anti-Gaddafi forces in August 2011. Everything is destroyed and burnt down.
When armed men from Misrata captured Tawergha in August, they destroyed the homes and emptied the city of its inhabitants.
When armed men from Misrata captured Tawergha in August, they destroyed the homes and emptied the city of its inhabitants.
On the floor of one of the emptied houses lay family photos alongside a poster of Gaddafi.
On the floor of one of the emptied houses lay family photos alongside a poster of Gaddafi.
The town is situated half an hour’s drive from Misrata, the closest neighbouring city. When Gaddafi attacked Misrata, many Tawerghans were part of his forces. Today, the two cities are bitter enemies.
The town is situated half an hour’s drive from Misrata, the closest neighbouring city. When Gaddafi attacked Misrata, many Tawerghans were part of his forces. Today, the two cities are bitter enemies.
The Tawerghan refugees stay in barracks belonging to a Turkish company. Like many other things in Libya, the camp depends on volunteer forces.
The Tawerghan refugees stay in barracks belonging to a Turkish company. Like many other things in Libya, the camp depends on volunteer forces.
In the nearby Gar Younes camp, a school has just opened: an indication that their stay might be longer than expected.
In the nearby Gar Younes camp, a school has just opened: an indication that their stay might be longer than expected.
“We are trying to transfer the kids from a war context to a normal situation,” says school headmaster Abdelrahman Fitouri.
“We are trying to transfer the kids from a war context to a normal situation,” says school headmaster Abdelrahman Fitouri.
Outside the classroom, kids are singing songs about the new Libya. Chants from the past, honoring Gaddafi, have been replaced by songs about the revolution
Outside the classroom, kids are singing songs about the new Libya. Chants from the past, honoring Gaddafi, have been replaced by songs about the revolution
The camp, set on the outskirts of Benghazi, lacks open and green spaces.
The camp, set on the outskirts of Benghazi, lacks open and green spaces.
Umm Said, a Tawerghan who lived in Misrata, has not seen her husband and her eldest son since they were detained accused of being part of Gaddafi’s forces.
Umm Said, a Tawerghan who lived in Misrata, has not seen her husband and her eldest son since they were detained accused of being part of Gaddafi’s forces.
Many children in the refugee camps are without their fathers: those accused of fighting with Gaddafi have been detained by the rebel groups.
Many children in the refugee camps are without their fathers: those accused of fighting with Gaddafi have been detained by the rebel groups.
The kids hanging outside one of the huts they live in.
The kids hanging outside one of the huts they live in.
The kids are passing their days in the camp not knowing where they will go in the future.
The kids are passing their days in the camp not knowing where they will go in the future.
Prison Misrata, Libya.
Prison Misrata, Libya.
Prison Misrata, Libya.
Prison Misrata, Libya.
Intisar Mohammad is head of security at the Gar Younes camp. She was an officer in Gaddafi’s army; when the revolution started, she defected to the rebels.
Intisar Mohammad is head of security at the Gar Younes camp. She was an officer in Gaddafi’s army; when the revolution started, she defected to the rebels.
Families continue to live in uncertain conditions: no one knows how the future will look for the refugees.
Families continue to live in uncertain conditions: no one knows how the future will look for the refugees.
Today, Mizna Muhammad and her children live in a refugee camp in Benghazi. Everything they have is a TV, two beds, and a pile of mattresses.
Today, Mizna Muhammad and her children live in a refugee camp in Benghazi. Everything they have is a TV, two beds, and a pile of mattresses.
Mizna Muhammad fled Tawergha with her kids in August. Her husband was captured by the rebels, who say that he was fighting alongside Gaddafi.
Mizna Muhammad fled Tawergha with her kids in August. Her husband was captured by the rebels, who say that he was fighting alongside Gaddafi.
Previous gallery
Next gallery