Syrian fighters of the YPG (Kurdish Popular Protection Units) man a guard post at a building near the frontline, in Ras al-Ayn (Seri Kanye in Kurdish), al-Hasakah Governorate, northeastern Syria, 22 October 2013. The YPG is composed of youths from communities across the Kurdish region of Syria. Kurds, the largest ehtnic minority group in Syria, reportedly make up nine percent of the country’s population. EPA/MAURICIO MORALES