This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the Middle East, Afghanistan & Pakistan Region between Feb. 25-March 3, 2021.

This week’s selection includes scenes from across the region: The Jewish holiday of Purim was celebrated during daylight, before Israeli authorities imposed an overnight curfew due to the coronavirus; and Beirut was darkened by burning tires, again, after the Lebanese pound hit a record low against the dollar amid an unrelenting economic and political crisis.

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Lebanese soldiers arrest a protester who was burning tires to block a highway that leads to the airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Scattered protests broke out in different parts of the country after the Lebanese pound hit a record low against the dollar on the black market, a sign of the country's multiple crises deepening with no prospects for a new Cabinet in the near future. (AP PhotoHussein Malla)

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the Middle East, Afghanistan & Pakistan Region between Feb. 25-March 3, 2021.
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish girl wearing costume walks next to a wall spray-painted with the Palestinian flag during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

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A military helicopter flies over people during the Afghan Security Forces Exhibition, at the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The three-day military exhibition allowed civilians to have a first-hand look and take pictures of weaponry used by Afghan security forces. (AP PhotoRahmat Gul)

A military helicopter flies over people during the Afghan Security Forces Exhibition, at the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The three-day military exhibition allowed civilians to have a first-hand look and take pictures of weaponry used by Afghan security forces. (AP PhotoRahmat Gul)
An Israeli soldier scuffles with a Palestinian man during a protest against the demolition of Palestinian Bedouin tents and other structures in their hamlet near Ein Sukkot in the Jordan Valley, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed)

An Israeli soldier scuffles with a Palestinian man during a protest against the demolition of Palestinian Bedouin tents and other structures in their hamlet near Ein Sukkot in the Jordan Valley, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed)
Fishermen remove fish from nets after returning from a fishing trip on the Mediterranean Sea, in the Israeli Arab village of Jisr al-Zarqa, Israel, in the early morning of Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. After weathering a year of the coronavirus pandemic, an oil spill in the Mediterranean whose culprits remain at large delivered another blow for the fishermen. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit)

Fishermen remove fish from nets after returning from a fishing trip on the Mediterranean Sea, in the Israeli Arab village of Jisr al-Zarqa, Israel, in the early morning of Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. After weathering a year of the coronavirus pandemic, an oil spill in the Mediterranean whose culprits remain at large delivered another blow for the fishermen. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews, some wearing costumes, scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews, some wearing costumes, scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)
Jewish Ultra-Orthodox men and children, some wearing costumes, read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, at a synagogue in Bnei Brak, Israel, Friday, Feb 26, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Jewish Ultra-Orthodox men and children, some wearing costumes, read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, at a synagogue in Bnei Brak, Israel, Friday, Feb 26, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)
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Lebanese soldiers arrest a protester who was burning tires to block a highway that leads to the airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Scattered protests broke out in different parts of the country after the Lebanese pound hit a record low against the dollar on the black market, a sign of the country's multiple crises deepening with no prospects for a new Cabinet in the near future. (AP PhotoHussein Malla)

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the Middle East, Afghanistan & Pakistan Region between Feb. 25-March 3, 2021.

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish girl wearing costume walks next to a wall spray-painted with the Palestinian flag during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Follow AP visual journalism:

A military helicopter flies over people during the Afghan Security Forces Exhibition, at the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The three-day military exhibition allowed civilians to have a first-hand look and take pictures of weaponry used by Afghan security forces. (AP PhotoRahmat Gul)

A military helicopter flies over people during the Afghan Security Forces Exhibition, at the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The three-day military exhibition allowed civilians to have a first-hand look and take pictures of weaponry used by Afghan security forces. (AP PhotoRahmat Gul)

An Israeli soldier scuffles with a Palestinian man during a protest against the demolition of Palestinian Bedouin tents and other structures in their hamlet near Ein Sukkot in the Jordan Valley, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed)

An Israeli soldier scuffles with a Palestinian man during a protest against the demolition of Palestinian Bedouin tents and other structures in their hamlet near Ein Sukkot in the Jordan Valley, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed)

Fishermen remove fish from nets after returning from a fishing trip on the Mediterranean Sea, in the Israeli Arab village of Jisr al-Zarqa, Israel, in the early morning of Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. After weathering a year of the coronavirus pandemic, an oil spill in the Mediterranean whose culprits remain at large delivered another blow for the fishermen. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit)

Fishermen remove fish from nets after returning from a fishing trip on the Mediterranean Sea, in the Israeli Arab village of Jisr al-Zarqa, Israel, in the early morning of Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. After weathering a year of the coronavirus pandemic, an oil spill in the Mediterranean whose culprits remain at large delivered another blow for the fishermen. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews, some wearing costumes, scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews, some wearing costumes, scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Jewish Ultra-Orthodox men and children, some wearing costumes, read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, at a synagogue in Bnei Brak, Israel, Friday, Feb 26, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Jewish Ultra-Orthodox men and children, some wearing costumes, read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, at a synagogue in Bnei Brak, Israel, Friday, Feb 26, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

The gallery was curated by AP Middle East Deputy News Director for Photography & Storytelling, Dusan Vranic, and photographer Maya Alleruzzo.

Lebanese soldiers arrest a protester who was burning tires to block a highway that leads to the airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Scattered protests broke out in different parts of the country after the Lebanese pound hit a record low against the dollar on the black market, a sign of the country's multiple crises deepening with no prospects for a new Cabinet in the near future. (AP PhotoHussein Malla)

Lebanese soldiers arrest a protester who was burning tires to block a highway that leads to the airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, March 2, 2021. Scattered protests broke out in different parts of the country after the Lebanese pound hit a record low against the dollar on the black market, a sign of the country's multiple crises deepening with no prospects for a new Cabinet in the near future. (AP PhotoHussein Malla)

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An ultra-Orthodox Jewish girl wearing costume walks next to a wall spray-painted with the Palestinian flag during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish girl wearing costume walks next to a wall spray-painted with the Palestinian flag during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

 A military helicopter flies over people during the Afghan Security Forces Exhibition, at the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The three-day military exhibition allowed civilians to have a first-hand look and take pictures of weaponry used by Afghan security forces. (AP PhotoRahmat Gul)

A military helicopter flies over people during the Afghan Security Forces Exhibition, at the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. The three-day military exhibition allowed civilians to have a first-hand look and take pictures of weaponry used by Afghan security forces. (AP PhotoRahmat Gul)

 An Israeli soldier scuffles with a Palestinian man during a protest against the demolition of Palestinian Bedouin tents and other structures in their hamlet near Ein Sukkot in the Jordan Valley, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed)

An Israeli soldier scuffles with a Palestinian man during a protest against the demolition of Palestinian Bedouin tents and other structures in their hamlet near Ein Sukkot in the Jordan Valley, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2020. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed)

 Fishermen remove fish from nets after returning from a fishing trip on the Mediterranean Sea, in the Israeli Arab village of Jisr al-Zarqa, Israel, in the early morning of Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. After weathering a year of the coronavirus pandemic, an oil spill in the Mediterranean whose culprits remain at large delivered another blow for the fishermen. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit)

Fishermen remove fish from nets after returning from a fishing trip on the Mediterranean Sea, in the Israeli Arab village of Jisr al-Zarqa, Israel, in the early morning of Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. After weathering a year of the coronavirus pandemic, an oil spill in the Mediterranean whose culprits remain at large delivered another blow for the fishermen. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit)
Ultra-Orthodox Jews, some wearing costumes, scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews, some wearing costumes, scuffle with police officers during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

 Jewish Ultra-Orthodox men and children, some wearing costumes, read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, at a synagogue in Bnei Brak, Israel, Friday, Feb 26, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Jewish Ultra-Orthodox men and children, some wearing costumes, read the Book of Esther, which tells the story of the Jewish festival of Purim, at a synagogue in Bnei Brak, Israel, Friday, Feb 26, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

 Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews celebrate after drinking alcohol during the Jewish holiday of Purim, in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the biblical Book of Esther. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)