Journalists killed in alleged targeted Turkish drone strike in northern Syria

Duvar English

Journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin were killed in a Dec. 19 armed drone strike allegedly carried out by Turkey in northern Syria, according to reporting by the Mesopotamia Agency (MA).

The journalists had been covering developments in North and East Syria, and were driving on the road between the Tishrin Dam and the town of Sirîn, located 90 kilometers east of Aleppo along the Euphrates River at the time of the strike. 

The driver of their vehicle, Ezîz Hec Bozan, was injured. Daştan and Bilgin had been monitoring developments at the Tishrin Dam and Qerekozak Bridge since Dec. 8.

Tishrin Dam, located 90 kilometers east of Aleppo, has been the scene of clashes between the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF, and the Turkey-backed opposition forces. 

The writers’ association PEN International issued a statement condemning the killings of Kurdish journalists. 

“We condemn the killing of Kurdish journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin during Turkey’s incursion into northern Syria. We call on Turkey to immediately investigate the incident and hold those responsible accountable,” stated the association.  

Turkey’s Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) emphasized the legal violations of targeting journalists in conflict zones.

“Targeting journalists in conflict zones constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. The lives and workplaces of journalists must be protected, and their right to life and press freedom must be guaranteed under all circumstances,” they wrote.  

The Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG) condemned the attack in a strongly worded statement.

“We condemn and reject this attack on our colleagues. We will hold those responsible accountable and will not let the perpetrators escape justice. Nazım and Cihan were two esteemed journalists dedicated to revealing the truth about the war in North and East Syria to the public. Drawing strength from their work, we will persistently and resolutely continue to tell the truth.”

In a speech in the Turkish parliament on Dec. 20, Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, condemned the killing of the journalists.

"This attack is a crime against humanity," she said. "We call on the Turkish government to immediately address the issue and ensure press protections are upheld."

Turkish police interrupted a press statement in Turkey’s eastern Van province, organized to commemorate the journalists. At least 39 people, including nine journalists, were detained.  

Police repeatedly ordered the significant crowd to disperse, and intervention began shortly afterward