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January 23, 2025 – Syria –
Syria witnessed the deaths of two photojournalists in separate, tragic incidents that underscored the persistent dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones.
On January 23, state-linked sports photographer Ibrahim Ajaj, who worked for Syria’s official news agency SANA, was found shot dead near Hama. His body was discovered riddled with bullets, and no group has claimed responsibility for the killing. According to reports, Ajaj had previously received threats. Syria’s transitional government swiftly condemned the murder and vowed to investigate the incident and hold the perpetrators accountable. This marked a rare and significant case of a regime-linked media worker being targeted during Syria’s prolonged conflict.
Just weeks earlier, on December 4, 2024, Anas Alkharboutli, a highly respected and award-winning photojournalist with Germany’s DPA news agency, was killed in an airstrike near Hama. He had been documenting a rebel offensive in the region when a Syrian government warplane reportedly launched a missile at the press team. Despite wearing a marked “Press” vest, Alkharboutli was killed instantly. Witnesses claimed the airstrike appeared to intentionally target the journalists. His final photo reportedly captured the fighter jet just moments before the explosion.
The deaths of both journalists drew international condemnation. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the attacks and called for full investigations. Press freedom groups emphasized that journalists covering war zones must be protected under international law, regardless of political affiliation.
Alkharboutli’s death adds to a grim tally of media workers lost in Syria since the conflict began. More than 50 photographers have reportedly been killed in the past decade, many of them working in frontline areas with limited safety measures. His killing—particularly under such targeted circumstances—highlights ongoing impunity and lack of accountability in war reporting.
These two cases reflect the complex and lethal landscape Syrian journalists navigate daily, whether they work for state media or international outlets. As the conflict persists into 2025, global attention must remain focused on protecting journalists and ensuring justice for those who are killed simply for doing their jobs.
Reference –
https://petapixel.com/2025/01/23/syrian-state-media-photographer-assassinated/
