Two Kurdish journalists, Gulistan Tara and Hero Bahadin, were tragically killed in a Turkish drone strike in northern Iraq while on assignment for Sterk TV. The incident, which took place in the Seyidsadiq district of Sulaymaniyah province, has sparked outrage and condemnation from various quarters.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) counter-terrorism service reported the deaths of a senior PKK member, his driver, and a guard in the attack. However, Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani disputed this, calling it an “unjustifiable crime” and a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.
Increased Hostility Towards Journalists
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) highlighted the growing danger journalists face in the region due to Turkish drone strikes and repression by authorities. With three media workers killed in two months, Iraqi Kurdistan is becoming an increasingly dangerous place for reporters, according to RSF’s Jonathan Dagher.
The Turkish defense ministry denied involvement in the attack, while Turkey has intensified military activities in northern Iraq, leading to civilian casualties and the evacuation of villages. The DEM Party in Turkey condemned the deliberate targeting of journalists, calling it an attempt to conceal war crimes in the region.