YRA commemorates martyrs Issam, Rustem, calls for accountability from Turkey

Today, the YRA issued a written statement on the third anniversary of the martyrdom of ANHA agency correspondent Issam Abdullah, who was martyred due to a Turkish occupation airstrike on the village of Teqil Bqal in Derik, in the Jazira Canton, and on the ninth anniversary of the martyrdom of journalist Rustem Cîlo, who was martyred on November 11, 2016, in a Turkish army strike on the Shahba region.

The statement said: “This month, we remember two champions of truth: our martyred colleague Issam Abdullah, who was martyred on November 19, 2022, while covering Turkish attacks on Teqil Bqal village in Derik, and our martyred colleague Salah Siddo (Rustem Cîlo), who was martyred on November 11, 2016, during a Turkish airstrike targeting Shahba areas.”

The statement clarified that the targeting of ANHA correspondent Issam Abdullah was a documented crime condemned by international and local human rights, press, and humanitarian organizations, including UNESCO, which confirmed that attacks on journalists while performing their duties constitute a blatant violation of international law and the essential role of the media in revealing the truth.

The statement added: “Despite three years having passed since this crime and a series of appeals, the Turkish occupation army has continued to deliberately and systematically target journalists and civilians in North and East Syria.”

The YRA highlighted that martyr Rustem’s professional legacy was an example of courage and commitment to the truth, as he gave his life to convey the voices and suffering of the people in Shahba, joining a group of journalists who were martyred due to Turkish attacks on the region.

In commemorating journalists Issam and Rustem, the YRA affirmed the following:

- Targeting journalists is a war crime and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.

- We call on the international community and press protection organizations to take a serious stance and hold the Turkish state accountable for its repeated targeting of journalists and civilians.

- The YRA reaffirms its commitment to continue defending the truth, protecting journalists, and supporting their role in documenting crimes and violations.

- We pledge to our martyrs, their families, and colleagues that their words, images, and stances will remain a guiding light for all those working in the field of free media.

A-H 

ANHA