Syrian Heroes ‘White Helmets’ Nominated for Nobel Peace

Formed in 2013, the White Helmets saved 60,000 lives and in turn also lost some of their own. (Photo: Reuters)

The Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2016.

In a region that has being witnessing regular bloodshed for five years now in a civil war between the Assad government and rebel factions, the White Helmets volunteers have been risking their lives and rushing to help people out of the rubble of their bombarded homes.

As the Assad government rains bombs on people's homes in a violent reaction to protests calling for his removal, these former teachers, bakers, students, commoners have grabbed people's attention worldwide with their fearless sacrifices.

Formed in 2013, the White Helmets saved 60,000 lives and in turn also lost some of their own. So far, 141 White Helmets have been killed saving lives.

Syrians are killed everyday with various kinds of weapons, but the deadliest ones are the barrel bombs because of their indiscriminate nature.

Raed Al Saleh, Head of the White Helmets

They believe in one motto taken from the Quran: to save a life is to save all of humanity.