Syria Condemns Disappearance of Journalist in Israeli-Controlled Territory

May 17, 2025 – Syria –

Syria has strongly condemned the disappearance of a Syrian journalist reportedly abducted in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, calling it a serious violation of international law and a direct assault on press freedom. The journalist, who was working near the ceasefire line, went missing earlier this month under unclear circumstances.

The Syrian Ministry of Information announced that the journalist had been reporting on Israeli activities in the occupied region when contact with him was abruptly lost. His whereabouts remain unknown, raising fears of enforced disappearance. Damascus has accused Israeli forces or affiliated entities of detaining him, describing the incident as part of a broader strategy to silence critical voices and suppress reporting on human rights violations in the region.

Syrian authorities have demanded immediate international intervention to secure the journalist’s release and ensure his safety. Officials urged organizations responsible for protecting press freedoms, including international watchdogs and the United Nations, to investigate the incident and hold those responsible to account.

The occupied Golan Heights, seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move not recognized by the international community, has long been a site of tension and media restriction. Journalists operating in the area frequently face surveillance, threats, and limited access. The disappearance of a media professional in such a highly monitored zone has alarmed rights groups and local media outlets alike.

This incident follows a growing pattern of journalists being targeted or intimidated in conflict zones, especially in areas of prolonged military occupation. Syria framed the journalist’s disappearance as part of an “ongoing campaign” by Israeli authorities to suppress coverage of alleged violations and to block the flow of independent information from the Golan region.

Calls for accountability continue to mount as Syria reiterates its demand for the journalist’s immediate release and safe return. The case highlights the precarious position of journalists reporting from occupied territories and the urgent need for international mechanisms to ensure their protection and uphold press freedom in areas of conflict.

Reference – 

Information Ministry expresses its deep concern over disappearance of journalist Mohammad Khaiti

https://www.plenglish.com/news/2025/05/17/syria-denounces-the-disappearance-of-a-journalist/