After ISIS took over northern Syria and Iraq in 2014, they began a reign that set the area back decades. Children were among the most affected, facing obstacles not only to their physical and mental well-being, but also their ability to access clean water, food, shelter, education, healthcare and so much more. In autumn 2016, a coalition of forces began the slow work of retaking territory from ISIS. These are some of the children who were impacted.

(All photos taken on assignment for UNICEF.)