Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Jacob Stolworthy

Joss Stone speaks about fear of crossing Syria border for gig: 'I'm glad nothing bad happened'

Joss Stone has spoken out after crossing the border in Syria for a performance, saying she "is glad nothing bad happened" while doing so.

The singer, who wants to perform in every single country as part of her Total World Tour, shared a video of herself wrapped in a blanket in her hotel bathroom after a performance in Derik.

Stone captioned the Instagram video: "We made it into Syria Kurdistan. It was a little scary crossing the border as of course we have absolutely no idea what might transpire, we just have to trust the people on the ground that are advising us and looking after us.

"This was the beginning, it was cold and wet but also so nice to meet such welcoming kind people. Syria deserves not to be ignored. Kurdistan deserves not to be ignored."

She continued: "There is a lot of hurt here coming from all sorts of different directions. I heard that Isis surrendered yesterday but that doesn't mean it's all over for the Syrian people or the Kurdish people, it is so complicated, a story I'm not in a position to tell you but all I can say is that I have learnt a lot from my short time there and I hope that peace will come to every one on all sides soon. 

Stone performed for 70 people at a small hall in the north-eastern corner of Syria, according to the Mail On Sunday.

She was reportedly joined by photographer Paul Conroy on his first trip back to the country since he was wounded in the 2012 rocket strike that killed war reporter Marie Colvin.

Colvin's story was the subject of Matthew Heineman's 2018 film A Private War, starring Rosamund Pike.

Additional reporting by Agencies

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.