Journalist Aziz Köylüoğlu, a veteran reporter and editor within the free press tradition of the Kurdistan liberation movement, was killed in a drone attack conducted by the Turkish state on 27 January 2025 in the Ranya district of Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî) province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The Union of Democratic Press of Kurdistan (YRD) announced his death, emphasising his unwavering stance against oppression and pledging to uphold his legacy through intensified journalistic efforts.
According to YRD, Köylüoğlu was targeted for his role in exposing the “genocidal-colonialist and occupying face” of the Turkish state. His commitment to truth and resistance made him a symbol of defiance in the face of oppression. The attack, carried out via drone, reflects the Turkish state’s increasing use of such methods in targeted operations against individuals deemed threats.
Aziz Köylüoğlu was born in 1976 in Diyarbakır (Amed), a city symbolic of Kurdish resistance in southeast Turkey. Raised in a patriotic family, he encountered the Turkish state oppression early in life and channelled his experiences into a career in journalism from the early 2000s. He served in various roles—from reporter and cameraman to editor-in-chief—across multiple media platforms, including newspapers, agencies, television, and digital media. Köylüoğlu’s work spanned regions such as Erbil (Hewlêr), Sulaymaniyah, Kirkuk (Kerkûk), and Makhmur (Maxmûr) in Iraqi Kurdistan, as well as North and East Syria – more commonly known as Rojava -, from Derik (Dêrik) to Afrin. His dedication to exposing injustices and fostering a free press made him a prominent figure in Kurdish media.
Köylüoğlu was also a key contributor to Medya News, providing numerous reports and analyses on the KRI, Iraq, and Turkey’s illegal activities in Iraqi Kurdistan. His in-depth reporting shed light on critical regional issues, making his work indispensable to understanding the complexities of the region.
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Köylüoğlu was also widely known for his analyses regarding the situation in Iraqi Kurdistan, pointing out contradictions within the Kurdistan Regional Government and accusing them of corruptive behaviour and of collaboration with the Turkish state, which has escalated its military incursion into Iraqi Kurdistan since early 2024.
YRD affirmed that Köylüoğlu’s death would not silence the truth, stating that his legacy will inspire future generations of journalists to continue the fight for freedom and justice. They extended condolences to his family, colleagues, and the wider community, reaffirming their commitment to the struggle he championed.
Köylüoğlu’s death marks the latest in a series of targeted killings of Kurdish journalists, including Nagihan Akarsel, Hêro Bahadîn, Gulîstan Tara, Cîhan Bilgin, and Nazım Daştan. His loss underscores the increasing risks faced by Kurdish journalists while following their works and the urgent need for international attention to press freedom violations.
