Hello all,

After more than three years covering Syria at AFP’s Beirut office, I’m thrilled to announce I’ll be joining the agency’s Baghdad bureau to report on Iraq. I am humbled by and extremely grateful for those who have shared their stories with grace, generosity, and dignity — whether by Whatsapp or in a warzone. Reporting on this horrible conflict and its wide-reaching ramifications has opened my eyes, and hopefully AFP’s readers can say the same.

As I move on to a new bureau, my focus will shift from Syria and Lebanon to Iraq. I am thrilled to dive into a new story and a new home. As always, tips, recommendations, and story ideas can be commented here or emailed at (firstname.lastname@gmail.com).

If you’re interested in keeping up with me as I get to know Iraq, give me a follow on Twitter and Instagram. And if you haven’t yet, sign up for my newsletter here. You’ll receive an email every time I publish a new article, or when we’re following a major story out of Baghdad.

Thank you for your readership and your support.

All the best,

Maya