Boys of Basra chronicles a group of friends I was adopted into when meeting them in the snowcapped mountains of Northern Iraqi-Kurdistan. Following them home to the Southern Iraqi city of Basra, situated along the banks of the Shatt al-Arab that empties into the Persian Gulf, I became part of their daily lives, and they became part of mine.

Our friendship has kept us in touch over the years up until today, through Whatsapp, Instagram and phone calls, and has led to visits from them to my home in The Netherlands.

Of the original group of three, only two boys remain. Rebels and mischiefs are far more welcome in some societies than others, and Iraq was unforgiving to his choices.

It is my goal to return to Basra in 2027.