Kurdish journalist Gülistan Tara, killed in a Turkish airstrike on 23 August in Iraqi Kurdistan, is being remembered by her colleagues as a tireless seeker of truth. Zınar Yıldız, a fellow journalist, paid tribute to Tara, describing her as someone deeply committed to uncovering and sharing the truth with the public.
“Gülistan was a relentless seeker of truth, always striving to reveal the realities on the ground and bring them to the people,” Yıldız said on Tuesday in an interview with ANF. He emphasised that Tara was known for her strong principles and unwavering commitment to the Kurdish freedom struggle, even in the face of significant challenges.
Tara and fellow journalist Hêro Bahadîn were killed when their vehicle was targeted in an airstrike by Turkish forces in the Said Sadiq district of Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî), Iraqi Kurdistan. The attack also left six other journalists injured. Yıldız, who had known Tara since 2003, recalled her dedication during a period of intense repression against the Kurdish freedom movement, noting how her resolve never wavered despite the difficult circumstances.
“In our last conversation, she spoke about the ongoing assaults in the region and how we could be more active in countering them. She was not focused on retreating or reacting defensively; instead, she sought ways to amplify our efforts and ensure the truth about what was happening in Başûrê Kurdistan [Southern/Iraqi Kurdistan] reached the people,” Yıldız added.
He also highlighted Tara’s deep connection with the local community, describing her as someone who had a strong rapport with the people and who always sought to understand and share in their experiences. “She had a genuine concern for the suffering of the people and was deeply involved in their lives. Her warm and caring personality made her a beloved figure in the community,” Yıldız explained.
Yıldız criticised the broader implications of the attack, noting that it was part of a calculated effort by the Turkish state to suppress the free press. “The Turkish state has always targeted the free press whenever it aims to cover up its actions. The attack on Gülistan and Hêro was no different; it was an attempt to silence the truth by eliminating those who were committed to revealing it,” he stated.
He also pointed to a recent security agreement signed on 15 August between Turkey, the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), suggesting that this agreement may have paved the way for the attack. “The fact that the Turkish state carried out this attack with the apparent knowledge of the Iraqi government, and possibly aided by intelligence from the KDP, raises serious concerns,” Yıldız said, urging local security forces to investigate the incident thoroughly.
Yıldız concluded by calling on fellow journalists to continue Tara’s work: “If we wish to honour the memory of Gülistan and Hêro, we must remain dedicated to the pursuit of truth. As workers of the free press, it is our responsibility to carry the burden that Güulistan has left us and ensure that the truth is never buried.”
The attack on Tara and Bahadîn is viewed as part of a wider strategy to stifle Kurdish voices and suppress information about the situation in the region. Despite these efforts, Yıldız and others vow to continue their work, ensuring that the realities of the conflict are brought to light.
