On December 19, 2023, Kurdish journalists Nazim Daştan and Cîhan Bilgin, who were working for Kurdish media outlets, were tragically killed in what is believed to have been a Turkish drone attack in northern Syria. The two journalists were covering the ongoing clashes between Ankara-backed militias and US-backed Kurdish fighters when their vehicle was struck by an explosion near the Techrine Dam, approximately 100 kilometers east of Aleppo. The driver of the car, Aziz Haj Bozan, was injured but survived.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has strongly condemned the killing of Daştan and Bilgin, emphasizing the importance of holding those responsible accountable. IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger expressed his shock, stating, “Our two colleagues were valuable journalists reporting on the situation in northern Syria. I am particularly shocked that they were deliberately targeted by a Turkish drone strike, while they were working as journalists. We condemn this attack on our colleagues and demand accountability.”
The Turkish authorities have denied the accusation that they specifically targeted the journalists’ car. However, the IFJ, alongside its Turkish affiliate DİSK Basın-İş, insists on an independent and thorough investigation into these deaths. DİSK Basın-İş has also reiterated its firm position, stating, “It is unacceptable to target journalists who convey the truth to the public at the cost of their lives in conflict zones. We condemn attacks targeting journalists. Those responsible for the deaths of journalists in war zones, whether in Palestine, Syria, or elsewhere, must be held accountable before justice.”
The tragic deaths of Nazim Daştan and Cîhan Bilgin highlight the ever-present dangers faced by journalists working in conflict zones, particularly those covering sensitive and controversial topics. Their deaths are not only a loss to their families and colleagues but also a direct attack on press freedom, which remains a fundamental pillar of democracy.
