News Center- The Women’s Press Union (YRJ) has released a statement, condemning the Turkish attacks targeting journalists and civilians in North and East Syria, especially on the Tishreen Dam.

“Since December 8, 2024, the people of North and East Syria have mobilized on the Tishreen Dam against the attacks of the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions,” the statement said. “Many journalists went to the Tishreen Dam to cover the historical resistance against the brutal attacks of the Turkish state.”

The statement continues as follows:

“Violent clashes have been taking place on the dam for a long time. The Turkish state continues its attacks by using inhuman methods, violating the international law and conventions by committing crimes against humanity. It directly targets the lands, country and values of communities in North and East Syria. It aims to destroy all the resources and civilian infrastructure of the region.

The vigil that started by the people of North and East Syria against the attacks on the Tishreen dam counties. On December 19, 2024, journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin were targeted and killed in a Turkish drone strike while covering the clashes (between Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed faction Syrian National Army (SNA). Since then, many attacks have been carried out against civilians and journalists.

On January 16, 2025, journalists were targeted by Turkish warplanes while covering the vigil started by people on the dam. A civilian was killed and three journalists were injured in the Turkish strike.

Ronahi TV reporter Leyla Ebdê, journalist Hîvda Hebun and media worker Dijwar Elişêr were injured in the strike.

‘The whole world remains silent against these attacks’

Unfortunately, the whole world remains silent against these attacks. This silence paves the way for more attacks. A strong stance against the attacks is needed for the prosecution of the Turkish state by an international tribunal according to international law. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Geneva Convention, the Turkish attacks on North and East Syria are a violation and a crime. Journalists are openly threatened and killed.

As the YRJ, we strongly condemn the attacks and say that the attacks cannot make us take a step back from reporting the truth.  We call on the journalists in Kurdistan, regional and international journalists’ organizations not to remain silent against the war crimes against journalists in North and East Syria but take a strong stance against the crimes committed by Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions.”