Syrian Kurdish Journalist Killed in Turkish Airstrike Near Manbij
Syrian Kurdish journalist Agid Roj lost his life in a Turkish airstrike near Tishrin Dam, Manbij. (North Press)
By Kardo Roj
MANBIJ, Syria (North Press) – Syrian Kurdish journalist Agid Roj lost his life on Saturday following a Turkish airstrike targeting the vicinity of Tishrin Dam, northeast of Manbij, amid escalating tensions between Turkish forces and Kurdish-controlled areas.
Local sources reported that Roj, a journalist from Afrin, northern Aleppo countryside, was covering developments in the region when he was killed in the strike.
Ongoing Turkish Strikes in Northern Syria
For over two months, Turkish forces and their allied Syrian National Army (SNA) factions have been intensifying attacks around Tishrin Dam, a vital hydroelectric facility providing electricity and water to thousands in northern Syria.
While Turkey claims these operations target Kurdish armed groups, civilians and journalists covering the conflict have increasingly been caught in the crossfire.
Journalist Targeted Amid Growing Risks
Agid Roj worked with several local media outlets throughout his career, focusing on human rights violations, displacement, and military escalations in the region. His killing has drawn strong condemnation from press freedom organizations and local activists, who accuse Turkey of deliberately targeting journalists and civilians.
A colleague of Roj, speaking to North Press on condition of anonymity, described him as “a brave journalist who risked his life to report the truth about the suffering of people in northern Syria.”
“He was not armed. He was not a fighter. He was simply doing his job,” the colleague added.
International Calls for Protection of Journalists
Rights groups, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have repeatedly warned about the dangers faced by journalists in Syria, particularly those reporting on Turkish military operations and their impact on civilian populations.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), dozens of journalists have been killed, detained, or forcibly disappeared in Syria over the past decade, making it one of the most dangerous countries for press freedom.
The Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) condemned the attack, calling on the international community to take immediate action to protect journalists and civilians from ongoing hostilities.
As tensions in northern Syria continue to escalate, media workers remain highly vulnerable, raising urgent questions about accountability for attacks on journalists in conflict zones.
