Turkish and Syrian Journalists Injured in Mine Blast During Demining Operation in Syria

February 17, 2026 – Syria/Turkey –

Two journalists, including a Turkish freelance reporter and a Syrian state news correspondent, were wounded on 17 February 2026 when a landmine exploded during a Syrian army demining operation in the countryside of Latakia province. Authorities and news outlets say the blast occurred while journalists were covering engineering units clearing unexploded ordnance left from years of conflict.

Among those injured was Şevket Akça, a freelance correspondent with Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, who sustained head wounds from shrapnel and debris. Alongside him, Hasan Hashim, a reporter for the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), was also hurt in the explosion, according to official statements. Both journalists were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, and their conditions were reported as stable and not life-threatening.

A Syrian soldier working with the demining team was also injured in the incident and suffered more serious harm, including the loss of a leg. Syrian Defence Ministry officials confirmed the journalists’ injuries and emphasised ongoing efforts to safely remove landmines and unexploded ordnance throughout conflict-affected rural areas.

The explosion highlights the persistent dangers journalists face while reporting in war-affected regions, where remnants of combat, such as landmines and improvised explosives, pose lethal risks even during humanitarian or clearance operations. Journalists covering military activities and reconstruction efforts have repeatedly encountered hazards that complicate efforts to document post-conflict developments and civilian safety challenges.

Syrian authorities, in commenting on the incident through state media, expressed appreciation for journalists covering demining operations and called for measures to minimise risk during reporting. However, press freedom advocates stress that comprehensive safety protocols and better protective measures are essential to protect media workers in zones where explosive hazards persist.

The incident drew attention from regional observers, highlighting that even routine reporting on mine clearance — intended to improve safety — can place journalists at significant risk, underscoring the complex and dangerous conditions still present in many parts of Syria years into the conflict’s aftermath.

Reference –

https://www.bernama.com/en/world/news.php?id=2525055

https://news.az/news/syria-mine-blast-injures-turkish-journalist