Hussein Malla/AP
Across northern Syria, rebels, soldiers and civilians are making use of the country's wealth of ancient and medieval antiquities to protect themselves from Syria's 2-year-old war. They are built of thick stone that has already withstood centuries and are often located in strategic locations overlooking towns and roads.
In this photo, a defected Syrian policeman, Adnan al-Hamod, 33, lights a kerosene lamp inside an underground shelter he made using a jackhammer to protect his family from Syrian government forces shelling and airstrikes.
All photos taken in Idlib province, Syria, Feb. 28, 2013
Hussein Malla/AP
Nihal, 9, looks at the entrance of an underground Roman tomb used as shelter from Syrian government forces shelling and airstrikes.
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Sami, 32, center, speaks with his children at an underground Roman tomb which he uses with his family as shelter.
Hussein Malla/AP
Sobhi al-Hamod, 60, lives with his family in an underground cave.
Hussein Malla/AP
Sami, 32, steps into an underground Roman tomb used for shelter from Syrian government forces shelling and airstrikes.
Hussein Malla/AP
A Syrian woman leaves an underground shelter that her husband made using a jackhammer.
Hussein Malla/AP
A Free Syrian Army fighter, Abu Mohammed, speaks inside a cave used for shelter.
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Syrian children walk out of an underground tunnel that their father made with a jackhammer.
Hussein Malla/AP
Nadia, 53, makes bread on a wooden stove in an underground Roman tomb which she uses as a shelter with her family.
Hussein Malla/AP
Nadia, 53, steps out of an underground Roman tomb used as shelter from Syrian government forces shelling and airstrikes.
