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February 23, 2026 – Syria –
Alaa Mohammed, a Syrian journalist and civic commentator, was found shot dead inside his home in the Qardaha countryside of Latakia Province on February 21, 2026, just hours after posting a video sharply criticising the performance of the interim government and its military and political structures, local monitors and media reported. The circumstances surrounding his death have raised alarm among press freedom advocates and human rights observers.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) and reports from local sources, Mohammed recorded and shared a live broadcast on social media earlier the same day, in which he spoke about ongoing unrest in various parts of Syria and questioned the handling of security issues by the interim authorities. In the video, he discussed divisions within military factions and referenced statements attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump, portraying a broader critique of the interim government’s legitimacy and effectiveness before concluding with scepticism about future achievements.
Local residents discovered Mohammed’s body at his residence in the village of Nini, where he had been shot in the head. North Press Agency reported that security forces in the al-Qardaha region, near Syria’s Mediterranean coast, have opened an investigation into the killing to determine its motives and whether his public commentary was directly connected to the fatal attack.
Mohammed was known in his community as both a journalist and a social peace activist, engaging in civic media activity and maintaining an active online presence. According to monitors, he had previously been detained in May 2025 by forces aligned with the interim government but was later released. His death — occurring so soon after his public criticisms — has prompted concern from human rights observers who highlight the precarious position of journalists in Syria, particularly those who speak out about political or security matters.
The killing adds to a longstanding pattern of risks to media professionals in Syria, a country that has been one of the world’s most dangerous for journalists throughout years of conflict and repression. Independent reporting in many parts of Syria remains limited, and critics say attacks on journalists undermine efforts to ensure accountability and transparency amid continuing instability.
No official statement has been released by Syrian authorities regarding the investigation or whether suspects have been identified, and questions persist about accountability in the case as press safety advocates call for clarity and protection for journalists working in high-risk environments.
Reference –
https://www.syriahr.com/en/378183/
https://hawarnews.com/en/journalist-found-murdered-in-qardaha-countryside
