Media workers in Qamishli protest Turkish attacks against journalists
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A group of journalists and rights activists staged on Tuesday a sit-in in the city of Qamishli, northeastern Syria, to protest Turkey’s attacks on journalists and the actions of its affiliated armed factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA).
The protest follows the death of journalist Agid Roj, who was killed on Feb. 15 by Turkish shelling near the Tishrin Dam in Manbij’s countryside, northern Syria.
Dilyar Jaziri, co-chair of the Free Media Union, told North Press that since the start of the Syrian conflict 31 journalists have been killed in various areas of northeastern Syria while reporting, including 17 who lost their lives in Turkish airstrikes by warplanes and drones.
He highlighted that Turkish attacks on the Tishrin Dam alone have resulted in the deaths of three journalists and injuries to eight others between December 2024 and February 2025.
The sit-in, organized by the Free Media Union, the Women’s Media Union, and the Human Rights Organization in Syria, took place in front of the UN headquarters in Qamishli.
Protesters denounced the systematic targeting of journalists in northeastern Syria, condemning these attacks as “war crimes.”
They urged the United Nations to take decisive action against such violations and play a more active role in protecting journalists’ rights.
Additionally, the protesting journalists called on international organizations advocating for press freedom to exert pressure on Turkey and other involved parties to ensure the safety of journalists in Syria.