Turkish Airstrike Kills Syrian Kurdish Journalist Near Tishrin Dam

February 16, 2025 – Turkey/Syria – 

Syrian Kurdish journalist Agid Roj was killed on February 15, 2025, in a Turkish drone strike near the Tishrin Dam, northeast of Manbij, Syria. Roj, originally from Afrin, had been reporting on escalating tensions between Turkish forces and Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria. His death has drawn widespread condemnation from press freedom organizations and local activists, who accuse Turkey of deliberately targeting journalists and civilians in the region.

The Tishrin Dam area has been a focal point of Turkish military operations, with repeated airstrikes and shelling attacks targeting the region. These attacks have resulted in numerous civilian casualties and have disrupted vital infrastructure, including electricity and water supplies to thousands of people in northern Syria.

Roj’s killing is part of a broader pattern of attacks on journalists in northern Syria. In December 2024, journalists Jihan Belkin and Nazim Daştan were also killed in a Turkish airstrike near the Tishrin Dam while covering the conflict. These incidents highlight the increasing risks faced by journalists working in conflict zones and the need for greater protection of press freedom.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have condemned Roj’s death, describing him as a “brave journalist” who risked his life to report the truth about the suffering of people in northern Syria. They have called on the international community to take immediate action to protect journalists and civilians from ongoing hostilities.

Roj’s death underscores the challenges faced by journalists in conflict zones and the importance of safeguarding press freedom to ensure that the realities of war are accurately reported and understood.

Reference – 

https://hawarnews.com/en/journalist-agid-roj-martyred-in-turkish-occupation-attack

Syrian Kurdish Journalist Killed in Turkish Airstrike Near Manbij

Turkish airstrike kills another journalist near Tishreen Dam, northern Syria