YPJ Media Center condemns Turkish occupation's targeting of journalists

The Media Center of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) issued a statement today regarding the targeting of journalist Nazım Daştan and ANHA agency's correspondent Jihan Bêlkîn by Turkish occupation forces.

 "We strongly condemn the treacherous attack launched by the Turkish occupation forces on journalists Jihan Bêlkîn and Nazım Daştan, and we reaffirm our steadfast position in continuing on the path of truth." In the person of journalists Nazim and Jihan, we remember all the martyrs of free media, and we bow in reverence to their bravery and sacrifices in this historic era.

 The forces that fear the truth and reality, and have dubious agendas, do not want the truth to be seen, so they always target journalists brutally. Journalist Jihan Bêlkîn, a member of the Hawar news agency ANHA, and journalist Nazim Daştan, who were covering the events and attacks carried out by the Turkish occupation on the Tishrin Dam and the Karakozak Bridge, were deliberately targeted.

 Since the twenty-seventh of November until today, the Turkish state has been launching a major occupation attack on North and East Syria. Especially since December 8, a historic resistance has been taking place at the Tishrin Dam and the Karakozak Bridge against the Turkish attack and its mercenaries, under the leadership of the Manbij Military Council fighters and the Women's Protection Units. (YPJ). And the free press, which knows no borders or restrictions, continues to spread the truth despite the intensity of the attacks.

 The murder, rape, looting, and torture happening in Syria are covered by free media, so the Turkish state, through private war circles, tries to hide the truth from the global public opinion. It also seeks to change the image of the mercenaries, who are remnants of ISIS but under new names. The Turkish state does not want its true face to be revealed, and it targets journalists who convey the voice of truth.

 In the face of this disinformation campaign, journalists like Jihan and Nazem remain the voice of truth for their people. In all wars, targeting journalists is considered a war crime according to international laws. Therefore, the Turkish state must be held accountable for its fascist violations against journalists, and we call on all relevant institutions to fulfill their duties.

 Jihan and Nazim began their journalistic journey from Northern Kurdistan, where they faced severe repression from the Turkish state. However, they continued to share photos and videos with the world and did not stop revealing the truths despite all the obstacles and difficulties. Jihan and Nazim were never afraid of these attacks; instead, they continued to convey the truth, allowing the world to see the reality of the Rojava Revolution, the autonomous administration system, and the social organization. They were always on the front lines in North and East Syria, showing the world the bravery of the fighters in every campaign and against all Turkish occupation attacks.

 Journalists like Jihan and Nazim were part of the line of resistance, and they continued to publish stories about the heroic resistance shown by the fighters of YPJ, YPG, and SDF, becoming the voice of our fighters' courage and resistance. Publishing the truth is, in itself, a struggle for freedom and justice, and Jihan and Nazim were living examples of that.

 Based on that, we extend our condolences to the families of Jihan and Nazem, and we assure our people that we will follow in their footsteps until we spread the voice of resistance and struggle for freedom to our people and the whole world.

 T/ Satt

ANHA