This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the Middle East, Afghanistan & Pakistan region Feb. 20-26, 2020.

This week’s selection includes the funeral of Egypt’s ousted autocratic President Hosni Mubarak; fighting in Syria; the coronavirus' spread and elections in Iran; protests in Baghdad; Palestinians protesting against West Bank Jewish settlements; daily life in Gaza; Korean tourists leaving Israel and an Israeli elections campaign billboard.

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Turkish backed rebel fighters fire a howitzer toward Syrian government's forces positions near the village of Neirab in Idlib province, Syria, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Two Turkish soldiers were killed Thursday by an airstrike in northwestern Syria, according to Turkey's Defense Ministry, following a large-scale attack by Ankara-backed opposition forces that targeted Syrian government troops. (AP PhotoGhaith Alsayed)

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the Middle East, Afghanistan & Pakistan region Feb. 20-26, 2020.
A protester does a handstand while security forces close the site of the protest during clashes in downtown Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (AP PhotoKhalid Mohammed)

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Security forces try to disperse anti-government protesters during ongoing protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. (AP PhotoHadi Mizban)

Security forces try to disperse anti-government protesters during ongoing protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. (AP PhotoHadi Mizban)
A Palestinian man rides a horse during sunset at the beach, in Gaza City, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. The beach is one of the few open public spaces in this densely populated city. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)

A Palestinian man rides a horse during sunset at the beach, in Gaza City, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. The beach is one of the few open public spaces in this densely populated city. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)
Israeli soldiers use pepper spray on a Palestinian demonstrator near the Jewish settlement Yitzhar, near the West Bank city of Nablus, on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday he was pushing ahead with the construction of 5,000 new Jewish homes in key areas of east Jerusalem, where critics say additional building could cut Palestinian residents off from the rest of the West Bank. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed).

Israeli soldiers use pepper spray on a Palestinian demonstrator near the Jewish settlement Yitzhar, near the West Bank city of Nablus, on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday he was pushing ahead with the construction of 5,000 new Jewish homes in key areas of east Jerusalem, where critics say additional building could cut Palestinian residents off from the rest of the West Bank. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed).
A tourist from South Korea wears protective mask while waiting for a flight back to South Korea at the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit)

A tourist from South Korea wears protective mask while waiting for a flight back to South Korea at the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit)
People wear masks to help guard against the Coronavirus in downtown Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. On Sunday Iran's health ministry raised the death toll from the new virus to 8 people in the country, amid concerns that clusters there, as well as in Italy and South Korea, could signal a serious new stage in its global spread. (AP PhotoEbrahim Noroozi)

People wear masks to help guard against the Coronavirus in downtown Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. On Sunday Iran's health ministry raised the death toll from the new virus to 8 people in the country, amid concerns that clusters there, as well as in Italy and South Korea, could signal a serious new stage in its global spread. (AP PhotoEbrahim Noroozi)
A protester who claims to have suffered burns to his face during clashes with security forces poses for a picture during ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (AP PhotoKhalid Mohammed)

A protester who claims to have suffered burns to his face during clashes with security forces poses for a picture during ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (AP PhotoKhalid Mohammed)
Voters pose for a selfie during the parliament elections at a polling station in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Iranians began voting for a new parliament Friday, with turnout seen as a key measure of support for Iran's leadership as sanctions weigh on the economy and isolate the country diplomatically. (AP PhotoEbrahim Noroozi)

Voters pose for a selfie during the parliament elections at a polling station in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Iranians began voting for a new parliament Friday, with turnout seen as a key measure of support for Iran's leadership as sanctions weigh on the economy and isolate the country diplomatically. (AP PhotoEbrahim Noroozi)
People walk by an election campaign billboard for the Blue and White party, the opposition party led by Benny Gantz, left, in Ramat Gan, Israel, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party is pictured at right. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

People walk by an election campaign billboard for the Blue and White party, the opposition party led by Benny Gantz, left, in Ramat Gan, Israel, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party is pictured at right. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)
Supporters of ousted President Hosni Mubarak hold posters with his photograph near the cemetery where he will be buried, in the Heliopolis neighborhood of Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Egypt is holding a full-honors military funeral for Mubarak who was ousted from power in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. Mubarak, 91, died Tuesday at a Cairo military hospital from heart and kidney complications. (AP PhotoNariman El-Mofty)

Supporters of ousted President Hosni Mubarak hold posters with his photograph near the cemetery where he will be buried, in the Heliopolis neighborhood of Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Egypt is holding a full-honors military funeral for Mubarak who was ousted from power in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. Mubarak, 91, died Tuesday at a Cairo military hospital from heart and kidney complications. (AP PhotoNariman El-Mofty)
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Turkish backed rebel fighters fire a howitzer toward Syrian government's forces positions near the village of Neirab in Idlib province, Syria, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Two Turkish soldiers were killed Thursday by an airstrike in northwestern Syria, according to Turkey's Defense Ministry, following a large-scale attack by Ankara-backed opposition forces that targeted Syrian government troops. (AP PhotoGhaith Alsayed)

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the Middle East, Afghanistan & Pakistan region Feb. 20-26, 2020.

A protester does a handstand while security forces close the site of the protest during clashes in downtown Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (AP PhotoKhalid Mohammed)

Follow AP visual journalism:

Security forces try to disperse anti-government protesters during ongoing protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. (AP PhotoHadi Mizban)

Security forces try to disperse anti-government protesters during ongoing protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. (AP PhotoHadi Mizban)

A Palestinian man rides a horse during sunset at the beach, in Gaza City, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. The beach is one of the few open public spaces in this densely populated city. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)

A Palestinian man rides a horse during sunset at the beach, in Gaza City, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. The beach is one of the few open public spaces in this densely populated city. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)

Israeli soldiers use pepper spray on a Palestinian demonstrator near the Jewish settlement Yitzhar, near the West Bank city of Nablus, on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday he was pushing ahead with the construction of 5,000 new Jewish homes in key areas of east Jerusalem, where critics say additional building could cut Palestinian residents off from the rest of the West Bank. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed).

Israeli soldiers use pepper spray on a Palestinian demonstrator near the Jewish settlement Yitzhar, near the West Bank city of Nablus, on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday he was pushing ahead with the construction of 5,000 new Jewish homes in key areas of east Jerusalem, where critics say additional building could cut Palestinian residents off from the rest of the West Bank. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed).

A tourist from South Korea wears protective mask while waiting for a flight back to South Korea at the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit)

A tourist from South Korea wears protective mask while waiting for a flight back to South Korea at the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit)

People wear masks to help guard against the Coronavirus in downtown Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. On Sunday Iran's health ministry raised the death toll from the new virus to 8 people in the country, amid concerns that clusters there, as well as in Italy and South Korea, could signal a serious new stage in its global spread. (AP PhotoEbrahim Noroozi)

People wear masks to help guard against the Coronavirus in downtown Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. On Sunday Iran's health ministry raised the death toll from the new virus to 8 people in the country, amid concerns that clusters there, as well as in Italy and South Korea, could signal a serious new stage in its global spread. (AP PhotoEbrahim Noroozi)

A protester who claims to have suffered burns to his face during clashes with security forces poses for a picture during ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (AP PhotoKhalid Mohammed)

A protester who claims to have suffered burns to his face during clashes with security forces poses for a picture during ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (AP PhotoKhalid Mohammed)

Voters pose for a selfie during the parliament elections at a polling station in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Iranians began voting for a new parliament Friday, with turnout seen as a key measure of support for Iran's leadership as sanctions weigh on the economy and isolate the country diplomatically. (AP PhotoEbrahim Noroozi)

Voters pose for a selfie during the parliament elections at a polling station in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Iranians began voting for a new parliament Friday, with turnout seen as a key measure of support for Iran's leadership as sanctions weigh on the economy and isolate the country diplomatically. (AP PhotoEbrahim Noroozi)

People walk by an election campaign billboard for the Blue and White party, the opposition party led by Benny Gantz, left, in Ramat Gan, Israel, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party is pictured at right. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

People walk by an election campaign billboard for the Blue and White party, the opposition party led by Benny Gantz, left, in Ramat Gan, Israel, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party is pictured at right. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Supporters of ousted President Hosni Mubarak hold posters with his photograph near the cemetery where he will be buried, in the Heliopolis neighborhood of Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Egypt is holding a full-honors military funeral for Mubarak who was ousted from power in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. Mubarak, 91, died Tuesday at a Cairo military hospital from heart and kidney complications. (AP PhotoNariman El-Mofty)

Supporters of ousted President Hosni Mubarak hold posters with his photograph near the cemetery where he will be buried, in the Heliopolis neighborhood of Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Egypt is holding a full-honors military funeral for Mubarak who was ousted from power in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. Mubarak, 91, died Tuesday at a Cairo military hospital from heart and kidney complications. (AP PhotoNariman El-Mofty)

The gallery was curated by AP Middle East Deputy News Director for Photography Dusan Vranic and photographer Oded Balilty.

Turkish backed rebel fighters fire a howitzer toward Syrian government's forces positions near the village of Neirab in Idlib province, Syria, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Two Turkish soldiers were killed Thursday by an airstrike in northwestern Syria, according to Turkey's Defense Ministry, following a large-scale attack by Ankara-backed opposition forces that targeted Syrian government troops. (AP PhotoGhaith Alsayed)

Turkish backed rebel fighters fire a howitzer toward Syrian government's forces positions near the village of Neirab in Idlib province, Syria, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Two Turkish soldiers were killed Thursday by an airstrike in northwestern Syria, according to Turkey's Defense Ministry, following a large-scale attack by Ankara-backed opposition forces that targeted Syrian government troops. (AP PhotoGhaith Alsayed)

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A protester does a handstand while security forces close the site of the protest during clashes in downtown Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (AP PhotoKhalid Mohammed)

A protester does a handstand while security forces close the site of the protest during clashes in downtown Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (AP PhotoKhalid Mohammed)

 Security forces try to disperse anti-government protesters during ongoing protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. (AP PhotoHadi Mizban)

Security forces try to disperse anti-government protesters during ongoing protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. (AP PhotoHadi Mizban)

 A Palestinian man rides a horse during sunset at the beach, in Gaza City, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. The beach is one of the few open public spaces in this densely populated city. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)

A Palestinian man rides a horse during sunset at the beach, in Gaza City, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020. The beach is one of the few open public spaces in this densely populated city. (AP PhotoHatem Moussa)

 Israeli soldiers use pepper spray on a Palestinian demonstrator near the Jewish settlement Yitzhar, near the West Bank city of Nablus, on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday he was pushing ahead with the construction of 5,000 new Jewish homes in key areas of east Jerusalem, where critics say additional building could cut Palestinian residents off from the rest of the West Bank. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed).

Israeli soldiers use pepper spray on a Palestinian demonstrator near the Jewish settlement Yitzhar, near the West Bank city of Nablus, on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday he was pushing ahead with the construction of 5,000 new Jewish homes in key areas of east Jerusalem, where critics say additional building could cut Palestinian residents off from the rest of the West Bank. (AP PhotoMajdi Mohammed).
A tourist from South Korea wears protective mask while waiting for a flight back to South Korea at the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit)

A tourist from South Korea wears protective mask while waiting for a flight back to South Korea at the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. (AP PhotoAriel Schalit)

 People wear masks to help guard against the Coronavirus in downtown Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. On Sunday Iran's health ministry raised the death toll from the new virus to 8 people in the country, amid concerns that clusters there, as well as in Italy and South Korea, could signal a serious new stage in its global spread. (AP PhotoEbrahim Noroozi)

People wear masks to help guard against the Coronavirus in downtown Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. On Sunday Iran's health ministry raised the death toll from the new virus to 8 people in the country, amid concerns that clusters there, as well as in Italy and South Korea, could signal a serious new stage in its global spread. (AP PhotoEbrahim Noroozi)

 A protester who claims to have suffered burns to his face during clashes with security forces poses for a picture during ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (AP PhotoKhalid Mohammed)

A protester who claims to have suffered burns to his face during clashes with security forces poses for a picture during ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (AP PhotoKhalid Mohammed)

 Voters pose for a selfie during the parliament elections at a polling station in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Iranians began voting for a new parliament Friday, with turnout seen as a key measure of support for Iran's leadership as sanctions weigh on the economy and isolate the country diplomatically. (AP PhotoEbrahim Noroozi)

Voters pose for a selfie during the parliament elections at a polling station in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Iranians began voting for a new parliament Friday, with turnout seen as a key measure of support for Iran's leadership as sanctions weigh on the economy and isolate the country diplomatically. (AP PhotoEbrahim Noroozi)
People walk by an election campaign billboard for the Blue and White party, the opposition party led by Benny Gantz, left, in Ramat Gan, Israel, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party is pictured at right. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

People walk by an election campaign billboard for the Blue and White party, the opposition party led by Benny Gantz, left, in Ramat Gan, Israel, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party is pictured at right. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

 Supporters of ousted President Hosni Mubarak hold posters with his photograph near the cemetery where he will be buried, in the Heliopolis neighborhood of Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Egypt is holding a full-honors military funeral for Mubarak who was ousted from power in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. Mubarak, 91, died Tuesday at a Cairo military hospital from heart and kidney complications. (AP PhotoNariman El-Mofty)

Supporters of ousted President Hosni Mubarak hold posters with his photograph near the cemetery where he will be buried, in the Heliopolis neighborhood of Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020. Egypt is holding a full-honors military funeral for Mubarak who was ousted from power in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. Mubarak, 91, died Tuesday at a Cairo military hospital from heart and kidney complications. (AP PhotoNariman El-Mofty)