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February 06, 2026 – Syria/Turkey –
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the shooting of journalist Nujan Mala Hassan, a correspondent for the Nûdem Media Foundation, by Turkish border guard forces while she was covering protests near the border between northeastern Syria and Türkiye on 20 January 2026. The incident has been widely denounced as a serious violation of press freedom and the safety of media workers in conflict-adjacent environments.
According to the IFJ, Hassan was reporting on demonstrations opposing military operations by Syrian government forces when clashes escalated between protesters and Turkish border guards. The protests took place near Qamishli, close to the Turkish town of Nusaybin, where tensions had risen in response to developments in northern Syria.
Eyewitness accounts and Hassan’s own testimony indicate that Turkish forces initially used water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds, but the situation quickly deteriorated when security personnel opened fire with live ammunition directly at protesters and journalists present at the scene. While filming footage, Hassan was reportedly struck in the abdomen and again in the leg, collapsing in severe pain and requiring evacuation to a medical facility.
Hassan has said that the border guards did not fire warning shots and instead appeared to target individuals at the forefront, including members of the press. A civilian who attempted to assist her was also reported to have been shot, and several other protesters sustained injuries in the same incident — events that press freedom advocates argue contravene international humanitarian law protecting non-combatants and journalists.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger strongly criticised the shooting as “a shocking and unacceptable assault on press freedom,” urging Turkish authorities to hold those responsible to account and to ensure the safety and rights of journalists working in perilous environments. The IFJ statement reiterated its solidarity with Hassan and media professionals covering frontline events under dangerous conditions.
The attack highlights the broader risks faced by journalists in regions of protracted conflict and cross-border tensions, where reporting on political developments and armed engagements can bring them into harm’s way. Press organisations have emphasised that intentional or indiscriminate use of force against media workers undermines basic protections for the press and contributes to a climate of intimidation and censorship in critical reporting zones.
While Turkish authorities have not publicly released detailed statements regarding the circumstances of the shooting, human rights observers continue to call for an independent investigation and improved safeguards for journalists reporting on protests and security operations near international borders.
Reference –
IFJ condemns shooting of journalist by Turkish forces at Syria border
