Salam was born in Syria and raised in Baghdad, Iraq, where he studied Medical and Health Technologies at Baghdad University. He started his career in journalism at Agence France-Presse (AFP) working as a fixer/translator and later as a cameraman. As a producer, he has covered the rise of extremist groups in the Middle East for the Guardian. He is currently working for VICE News as a filmmaker and producer. He is based in Istanbul.
Living under ISIS rule — and then escaping it
Mezar Matar’s witnessed ISIS fighters take over his hometown in the summer of 2013. He saw them violently enforce Sharia law, seize homes, close schools and stage elaborate public executions. He watched as they punished women for their clothes, flogged anyone on the streets during prayer times and beat people for smoking cigarettes. Matar saw ISIS arrest his friends, abduct his brother and recruit children to join its ranks.