AANES demands protection for journalists from Turkish occupation crimes

The Media Department of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria issued a statement to the public today regarding the martyrdom of journalists Cîhan Bîlgîn and Nazim Dashtan. The statement reads:

"With deep sadness and sorrow, we received the news of the martyrdom of our journalist colleagues, Cîhan Bîlgîn, reporter for the Hawar News Agency, and Nazim Dashtan, as a result of a brutal attack by a drone belonging to the Turkish occupying state on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at exactly 15:20. The journalists were targeted while covering the Turkish attacks and the heroic resistance of the Syrian Democratic Forces to repel these assaults, on the road between Tishrin Dam and the town of Serrin. The attack resulted in their martyrdom and the injury of the vehicle's driver, Aziz Haj Bozan.

This terrorist act represents a direct attack on free media that seeks to expose the crimes and violations committed by the Turkish state in our regions. We consider this attack a continuation of the Turkish occupation’s policy of targeting our society’s values, foremost among them the freedom of the press.

The martyr Cîhan Bîlgîn was a symbol of a brave journalist who made her pen and camera the voice of the peoples’ revolution, particularly the women’s revolution. She worked for over eight years as a reporter for the Hawar News Agency, playing a pivotal role in delivering the truth to the public.

The martyr Nazim Dashtan was among the first journalists to document the resistance of Kobani to the world. He continued his media work despite Turkish pressures until he returned to North and East Syria to continue uncovering the truth and supporting the just causes of the region's people.

The targeting of journalists is a blatant violation of international laws and conventions that grant them protection during conflicts. Therefore, we call on international institutions concerned with journalists’ rights to stand united against these crimes targeting free journalism and urge international human rights organizations to take immediate action to hold the Turkish state accountable for these ongoing crimes and violations.

We also renew our call to the United Nations and the international community to take serious steps to ensure the protection of journalists from the brutality of the Turkish occupying state and to prevent their targeting while performing their duties.

In the Media Department, we strongly condemn this cowardly crime and reaffirm our commitment to continuing our work to uncover the truth and amplify the voice of justice. We pledge to the martyrs Nazim Dashtan and Cîhan Bîlgîn to carry forward their media mission and continue the struggle for freedom of speech and the protection of societal values."