The recent deadly attack on Kurdish journalists in Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî) has sparked a fierce response from their colleagues, who have vowed to continue their mission of exposing the truth despite the increasing dangers they face. On 23 August, a Turkish drone strike targeted a vehicle carrying journalists, killing Gülistan Tara and Hêro Bahadîn, and injuring several others.
In the wake of this tragedy, Kurdish journalists and media workers have rallied together, condemning the attack and the broader context of repression that enabled it. “The killing of Kurdish journalists is not just the responsibility of those who launched the drone,” said journalist Berîtan Medûsa, a former colleague of Gülistan Tara. “The complicity extends to all parties involved in the agreements that give such attacks their ‘legitimacy’.”
Medûsa, reflecting on her time working with Tara, spoke of the fallen journalist’s courage and dedication. “Despite the stress and danger of our work, Gülistan never wavered in her commitment to uncovering the truth. We owe it to her memory to ensure that her pen does not fall to the ground,” she stated.
Journalist and writer Seydi Fırat also linked the attack to the recent memorandum between Turkey, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), suggesting that the agreement has paved the way for increased violence against Kurds. “The essence of this memorandum is to give Turkey free rein to commit atrocities. The blood of these journalists is on the hands of Baghdad, Ankara, and the KDP,” Fırat asserted.
Cahit Mervan, another journalist, echoed these sentiments, emphasising that the responsibility for these killings extends beyond the direct perpetrators. “Turkey has long sought to legitimise its war crimes under the guise of ‘counter-terrorism’, and this recent attack is no different. The true shame lies with those who granted this so-called legitimacy and who now seek to cover up their crimes,” Mervan declared.
The Dicle Fırat Journalists’ Association (DFG) and the Mesopotamia Women Journalists’ Association (MKJ) also condemned the attack in strong terms, labelling it as both “inhumane” and a clear violation of international laws and agreements. They highlighted that this was not the first such attack within the Kurdistan Region, recalling the murders of other Kurdish journalists like Nagihan Akarsel, Îsam Abdullah, Necmeddin Faysal and Murat Mîrza over the past two years.
In their statement, these press freedom organisations called for an end to the impunity that allows such attacks to continue, stressing that “the power of truth will only grow stronger with every voice they try to silence.” They reiterated their commitment to pursuing legal and societal measures to ensure justice for their fallen colleagues and to uphold the principles of press freedom.
Aysel Avesta, an editor at Jin TV, warned that the attack on journalists is part of a broader strategy to suppress the Kurdish struggle. “This is no coincidence. The aim is to silence the free press so that their destruction can proceed unchecked. But we will not let their voices be silenced,” Avesta stated.
The sentiments were echoed by journalists from across the region, who underscored the importance of international solidarity in confronting these crimes. “The international community must take a stand against Turkey’s actions,” said Ronahi newspaper reporter Argêş Gewda. “The KDP’s betrayal only deepens the wound, and the world must hold these perpetrators accountable.”
As Kurdish journalists continue to face growing threats, their resolve remains unshaken. “We will expose the truth, no matter how many of us fall,” said Medya Haber TV reporter Meltem Oktay. “We will honour the memory of our fallen colleagues by continuing their fight for justice and truth.”
