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March 13, 2026 – Syria/Turkey/Germany –
Press freedom organizations are urging Syrian authorities to clarify the fate of two journalists who disappeared while reporting in the northeastern Syrian city of Raqqa earlier this year. German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann and Kurdish-Turkish journalist Ahmed Polad have been missing since January 18, 2026, when Syrian government forces advanced into the city during clashes with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Michelmann and Polad were reporting from the region amid shifting military control and escalating fighting. Both journalists were working for Istanbul-based outlets, including Etkin News Agency (ETHA) and Özgür TV, which have covered developments affecting Kurdish communities and conflicts in northern Syria.
According to press freedom groups and eyewitness accounts cited by journalists’ organizations, the pair were last seen leaving a building in Raqqa together with civilians during the chaos surrounding the city’s capture by government forces. Witnesses reported that the journalists were separated from the group by Syrian forces and taken away in a military vehicle. Since that moment, neither their employers nor their families have been able to confirm their whereabouts or communicate with them.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Syrian authorities to disclose what happened to the two reporters and to confirm whether they are being held in custody. Advocacy groups warn that the disappearance highlights the persistent dangers faced by journalists working in active conflict zones. CPJ representatives say the lack of information about the journalists’ status is deeply troubling and have urged officials to guarantee their safety and provide immediate clarification about their situation.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has echoed these concerns, urging Syrian authorities to reveal the journalists’ location and ensure they are treated in accordance with international legal standards. The organization also stressed that journalists reporting from war zones must be protected and allowed to carry out their work without fear of disappearance or arbitrary detention.
The case has drawn attention from media rights advocates across Europe and the Middle East, who say the uncertainty surrounding Michelmann and Polad reflects broader risks for reporters covering armed conflicts in Syria. With weeks having passed since their disappearance, press freedom groups continue to press for answers and accountability, warning that unresolved cases involving missing journalists contribute to a climate of fear and impunity for those who target members of the press.
Reference –
CPJ calls on Syria to reveal fate of missing journalists working for İstanbul-based outlets
