On 23 August 2024, two Kurdish journalists, Gulistan Tara from Batman in Southeast Turkey and Hero Bahadin from Iraq, were killed in a Turkish drone strike in Iraqi Kurdistan. Both journalists worked for Stêrk TV, a Kurdish media outlet. A third journalist was seriously wounded in the attack. The strike highlights the escalating dangers faced by reporters in the region, where last month another journalist was killed under similar circumstances.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the killings, noting that Iraqi Kurdistan is becoming one of the most dangerous areas in the world for journalists. The international community has been urged to protect media workers and ensure that those targeting the press are held accountable.
The incident was reported by Democracy Now!, where anchorwoman Amy Goodman brought attention to the increasing risks for journalists in conflict zones, particularly in Kurdish regions.
