Kurdish journalists Nazim Dastan and Cihan Bilgin were killed Thursday in northern Syria, media reported. Reuters reported, in an alleged Turkish drone strike. They were near the Tishrin Dam, 90 kilometers east of Aleppo, covering clashes between Turkish-backed forces and the Syrian Kurdish militia, which is part of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The pro-Kurdish DEM Party in Turkey condemned the attack on journalists, Reuters report. The party’s co-chairman Gulistan Kilic Kocyigit called it a “crime against humanity” and urged Turkey to protect journalists and bring those responsible to justice.
Turkish officials have not yet commented on the incident.
This attack happened because of the tension in Syria, as it is facing the consequences of the overthrow of the former president Bashar al-Assad.
Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir has been working to stabilize the country, unite Syrians, and build international relations before his interim government expires on March 1. At the same time, Kurdish-controlled Northwestern Syria (Rojava) is preparing for another war after the US-backed ceasefire agreement with Turkish-backed rebels fell apart. .
Prime Minister al-Bashir’s administration has been working to consolidate rebel groups, replace the Salvation Government in Idlib, and take over Assad-era institutions, including the state-run news agency, SANA.
Internationally, the new government is trying to lift sanctions and improve relations. The leader of HTS Abu Mohammad al-Jolani met with the chaos of Britain, France, and Germany, as well as the UN Special Envoy for Syria.
(With input from Reuters)
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