Syrian Authorities Detain, Restrict Journalists in Aleppo After Military Gains

January 12, 2026 – Syria –

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has raised concerns after Syrian government forces detained three journalists and barred independent coverage in the Aleppo neighbourhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah following the regime’s recapture of those areas from Kurdish-affiliated forces.

Two Rudaw media workers were briefly held and accused of terrorism before their release, while another reporter with a state-linked outlet was detained for about 12 hours despite having official permission to film.

Most independent journalists were prevented from entering key zones, with reporting access limited largely to outlets aligned with the government, an action CPJ described as a control of the narrative and a constraint on press freedom.

Photo:  A Syrian security officer stands next to munitions strewn on the ground following a ceasefire which ended several days of fighting between Syrian security forces and Kurdish fighters in the Kurdish-majority Sheikh Maqsud neighbourhood of Aleppo. (Photo: AFP/ Bakr ALkasem)

Reference –

Journalists detained, barred in Syria as government regains Aleppo areas