Global journalist unions are calling for immediate action after the deaths of two Kurdish journalists, Gülistan Tara and Hêro Bahadîn, in drone strikes carried out by the Turkish military in Iraqi Kurdistan. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), in partnership with the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate (KJS) and the UK’s National Union of Journalists (NUJ), issued a powerful statement condemning the killings and demanding that the governments of Turkey and Iraq take swift measures to hold those responsible accountable.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger expressed the deep concern of the international journalistic community. “The killing of the journalists in Sulaymaniyah [Silêmanî] reflects the extreme dangers faced by journalists working in conflict zones and highlights the urgent need for immediate measures to ensure their safety and hold those responsible for these crimes accountable,” he said.
The attacks, which took place on 23 August, have sparked outrage among press freedom advocates. The tragic deaths of Tara and Bahadîn are the latest in a string of violent incidents targeting journalists in the region. In July, a drone strike in Sinjar (Şengal) critically injured Murad Mirza Ibrahim, a reporter for Çira TV, who later succumbed to his wounds. Another journalist, Mydia Hussein, was also seriously injured in the same attack.
The journalist unions emphasised that these were not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of violence against media workers in conflict zones. The NUJ and IFJ have stressed the need for both the Turkish and the Iraqi authorities to conduct comprehensive investigations into these attacks. The organisations have called for the implementation of stronger protective measures to ensure the safety of journalists operating in dangerous environments.
In their joint statement, the NUJ stressed the importance of allowing journalists to work without fear, urging the international community to stand in solidarity with media professionals under threat. “It is hoped that this tragic incident will increase international awareness of the risks that journalists face and lead to efforts to provide them with the necessary protection,” Bellanger added, highlighting the urgent need for action to prevent further loss of life among those reporting from conflict zones.
As calls for justice intensify, the IFJ, the KJS and the NUJ are continuing to demand accountability, urging the international community to press the Turkish and Iraqi authorities to ensure that those responsible for these crimes are brought to justice.
