call to hold the Turkish occupation accountable for targeting journalists

For weeks, the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries have been launching attacks on the regions of North and East Syria, specifically on the Tishrin Dam and the Qaraquzaq Bridge south of the city of Kobani, in an attempt to occupy these vital areas. But the resistance of the Syrian Democratic Forces and their military councils thwarted these attacks, despite the continued intensive targeting using drones. 

Targeting journalists: An attempt to conceal the crimes

During their coverage of the resistance and the crimes committed by the Turkish occupation, journalist Jihan Bêlkîn and journalist Nazım Daşdan were targeted on December 19th by a Turkish occupation drone, resulting in their martyrdom. The journalists were documenting the violations committed by the occupation and conveying them to the public.

Suleiman Al-Tawil: The martyrdom of our colleagues is a motivation to move forward.

In this context, journalist and Ronahi TV correspondent, Suleiman Al-Tawil, confirmed that the martyrdom of his colleagues was a painful shock, but it increased their determination and insistence on uncovering the truths.

He added: "Jihan and Nazim were always on the front lines, conveying to the world the crimes of the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries, so the occupation wanted to silence their voices by directly targeting them."

Al-Tawil added that the Turkish occupation seeks to cover up its failure to occupy Kobani and its surroundings, saying: "The occupation's crimes against civilians and infrastructure have been exposed thanks to the work of field journalists." Their targeting will not deter us from continuing the path of revealing the truth."

International institutions are complicit in their silence.

Al-Tawil held the international institutions concerned with protecting journalists responsible for the continuation of Turkish occupation crimes against media personnel, pointing out that their silence is tantamount to complicity with the Turkish occupation. He added, "We have more than 27 journalists who have been martyred due to direct targeting, and international institutions remain silent." It must act immediately to stop these violations.

Mirkan Amadi: Jihan and Nazim exposed the occupation's crimes through their lenses.

 Mirkan Amadi, a journalist at "Khabour FM," pointed out that targeting journalists is not new; rather, it is part of the Turkish occupation's strategy to conceal its crimes and violations.

 He added: "Martyrs Jihan and Nazim worked on documenting the crimes committed against the peoples of the region through their lenses and pens, which is why they were directly targeted to prevent the revelation of these truths."

Imadi confirmed that the martyrdom of his journalist colleagues increased their determination to continue their media work.

Hassan Omar: The lenses are a thorn in the side of the occupation

For his part, Hassan Omar, a journalist at "Ad-Derbasiya FM," described the targeting of journalists as part of the war crimes committed by the Turkish occupation since its establishment, saying: "Targeting journalists is an attempt to conceal the crimes against the peoples of the region, and the attacks on the Tishrin Dam and the Qaraquzaq Bridge represent a direct targeting of infrastructure and are documented war crimes."

Omar added that international institutions concerned with protecting journalists deal with these crimes with timid statements that do not reflect the scale of the violations, making them complicit in these crimes.

He continued: "The Turkish occupation deludes itself into thinking that targeting journalists will break our resolve, but we affirm that the lenses and pens of the martyrs will remain a thorn in the side of the occupation."

The crimes of the occupation and targeting of journalists: A systematic context

Targeting journalists in North and East Syria is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a systematic strategy by the Turkish occupation to suppress free journalism and prevent the revelation of the truth. The attacks directly target journalists while they cover events, in an attempt to silence the free voice and conceal crimes and violations.

Calls for holding the Turkish occupation accountable

The journalists who spoke at the meeting called on international institutions to take responsibility and demand accountability for the Turkish occupation. They also called for the protection of journalists working in conflict areas and considered the targeting of journalists a war crime that warrants the prosecution of those responsible.

Commitment to moving forward

The journalists also affirmed at the end of their statements that the martyrdom of their colleagues increases their determination to continue covering and exposing the crimes committed by the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries. They renewed their pledge to follow in the footsteps of the martyrs of free media, to be the voice of the people and the community facing oppression and aggression.

T/ Satt.

ANHA