The Free Media Union annually prepares a report documenting violations against journalists across Syria. The report documents incidents of journalist killings, detentions, interference with press activities, and other violations. In 2024, eight journalists were documented as killed, at least six journalists were arrested, and numerous incidents of detention, interference with press work, and other violations against journalists were recorded. Notably, the majority of interference cases and violations occurred in regions formerly under the Damascus government’s control.
Compared to the previous year, there has been an increase in violations against journalists, particularly concerning fatalities.
Before delving into the details of violations and crimes against journalists, it is important to note that in 2024, Syria’s territory remained divided into three distinct regions, each under different administration and authority:
– The collapsed Baath regime territory (Bashar al-Assad)
– Areas under Turkish occupation and affiliated armed groups
– The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria
## Journalists Who Lost Their Lives
In 2024, eight journalists and media activists were killed. Their identities and the circumstances of their targeting have been documented. It is notable that the majority of journalist killings occurred in areas of the collapsed Damascus regime. Two journalists were killed in the Autonomous Administration regions by Turkish drone strikes.
1. On January 20, the body of 70-year-old journalist Muhyiddin Izzeddin Al-Hassan was found murdered in his home in Homs, central Syria. According to local sources, he was strangled.
2. On October 1, female journalist Safa Al-Ahmad was killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting the Mezzeh district of Damascus.
3. In early November, three media workers were killed in Damascus government attacks:
– Ahmed Al-Omar and Alaa Al-Abrash were killed when Assad regime aircraft bombed Al-Jami Hospital in Aleppo during clashes between government forces and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters
– Media activist Mustafa Al-Sarout was killed when Damascus government forces opened fire on his vehicle
4. On November 5, cameraman Anas Al-Kharbutli, who worked for the German Press Agency (DPA), was killed near Hama during fighting between Assad regime forces and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters.
5. On December 19, Free Media workers Nazim Daştan and Cihan Bilgin were killed near the Tishreen Dam by Turkish drone strikes. Their driver, Aziz Haji Bozan, was seriously wounded. Security sources indicate the attack occurred several kilometers from any conflict zone while the journalists were returning, suggesting it was a deliberate targeting by Turkish forces.
The families of Nazim and Cihan, who were from Northern Kurdistan, requested to receive their bodies, but Turkish authorities prevented the transfer of the remains to their homeland for proper legal burial procedures. Consequently, they were laid to rest in Qamishli.
## Assault and Artillery Attacks Against Journalists
Throughout 2024, journalists across Syria’s regions faced various obstacles and attacks, resulting in injuries, intimidation, or interference with their journalistic work.
1. On October 24, Turkish drones targeted media teams covering an attack on Amuda city’s power station in the Jazira canton. The station was bombed again while journalists were present, resulting in minor injuries and disruption of their work. Affected media workers included:
– Jamil Omar from Radio Orkash
– Simav Mohammed from ANHA News Agency
– Osman Polat, Fewaz Mohammed, and Jiwana Juma from Ronahi TV
2. On March 12, in Turkish-occupied Al-Bab, northeast of Aleppo, an armed group called “Ahrar Olan,” allegedly affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, intercepted and tortured media activist Jalal Al-Talawi and his family.
3. The Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria restricted several journalists from filming in various regions of the Autonomous Administration, citing security concerns and journalist safety.
4. Journalist Kamal Sheikho alleged he was beaten by internal security forces in Hasakah. The Free Media Union contacted the Internal Security Forces leadership, who denied the assault allegations.
5. Ronahi TV correspondent Jiwana Juma received death threats from Turkish-affiliated digital media platforms, suggesting she should meet the same fate as martyrs Nazim Daştan and Cihan Bilgin.
6. Journalists Silva Al-Ibrahim and Zainab Khalaf received threats from Turkish-affiliated websites and ISIS sleeper cells respectively, delivered through digital media platforms.
## Detention of Journalists
Violations against journalists extended beyond killings and targeting to include arrests and imprisonment for their media work:
1. On October 15, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) detained media activist Abdulaziz Al-Hisi in Idlib.
2. Damascus government forces arrested journalist and Homs City Council member Wahid Yazbek on September 19, allegedly for revealing evidence of fraud in Syrian parliamentary elections.
3. On August 28, Turkish-affiliated armed groups detained cameraman Bekir Al-Qasim in northern Aleppo villages. Reports indicate he was handed over to Turkish intelligence, raising concerns about his fate.
4. On February 27, Damascus government security forces summoned journalist Mahmoud Ibrahim to the “Palace of Justice” in Tartus and detained him for sharing information about anti-government protests in Sweida on social media.
## Seizure of Journalists’ Equipment and Property
Turkish-affiliated armed groups launched an offensive on Aleppo and Shahba region in late 2024, resulting in mass displacement and property seizure. Affected journalists included Idris Henan, Farida Hamko, Ruken Alut (Firat News Agency), Farida Zada (Nafal Media Company), Zakaria Sheikho (Ronahi TV), and dozens of other media workers.
Additionally, violations continue against dozens of journalists from Afrin, Ras al-Ain, and Tel Abyad, areas occupied by Turkey for over five years. Their properties remain confiscated, with armed groups occupying their homes.
## Fact-Finding Committee Releases Investigation Results
The Free Media Union and the Human Rights Organization of the Jazira region established a Truth-Finding Committee on October 2 to investigate attacks against journalists in North and East Syria. The committee released its report on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, focusing on drone attacks against the JIN TV team.
The report was presented at a press conference in Qamishli.
## Violations Against Civilians Under the Guise of Media Work
During clashes between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Syrian Army, individuals wearing press vests committed violations against civilians in HTS-controlled areas. Some of these individuals also made threats against Syrian communities and promoted racist rhetoric.
## Conclusion
Our documentation reveals that in 2024, various parties controlling Syrian territory violated human rights laws, particularly Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 19(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
These violations also contravened international humanitarian law, specifically Article 34 regarding the respect and protection of journalists in conflict zones, despite journalists posing no threat to any party.
## Recommendations
The Free Media Union concludes its report with recommendations to support journalists and media workers in improving the current media situation and overcoming challenges:
1. All parties involved in the Syrian conflict should immediately release journalists and media workers detained for their work.
2. Determine the fate of all missing media workers, including journalist Farhad Hemo, kidnapped by ISIS on January 15, 2014, on the Qamishli-Tal Kochar road.
3. Remove all “Security Laws” that restrict freedom of expression across Syria.
4. Prevent media from being used to legitimize authority violations or distort truth.
5. Implement Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees everyone’s right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers.
The report concludes by noting that since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2011, 771 journalists and media workers have lost their lives due to conflict and unrest. Dozens more have been detained, and a significant number remain kidnapped or missing.
FREE MEDIA UNION
