The Journalist Support Committee condemns targeting of journalists in Afrin by Turkish Air Force

The Journalist Support Committee condemns the direct targeting of news stations crew at a visit point near Afrin on Tuesday, 20 February 2018. The journalists' lives were threatened by bombs carried out by Turkish air forces, which is considered as a clear violating of international treaties and conventions that guarantee the safety of journalists in conflict areas, in particularly the Fourth Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocol of 1977.

The committee, through its representatives in Syria, monitored the firing of several shells by the Turkish air forces towards the area where media crews were stationed. The correspondent of Al-Mayadeen channel, Ali Murtada, said during a live broadcast that the area is free of fighters. Three shells were seen fired near the fields during their direct coverage of the events.

The Committee calls upon United Nations bodies and international organizations concerned with the protection of journalists, in particular, the International Federation of Journalists, to condemn this attack and to exert pressure on the Turkish government to cease its targeting of journalists and media personnel, despite their clear and visible press clothes and badges. The Committee holds the Turkish authorities fully responsible for the safety of journalists and media personnel present at the site.

Watch: moments of targeting Al-Mayadeen channel during its live broadcast:

Committee for Supporting Journalists - Syria
21 February 2018