Two Rûdaw TV Workers Kidnapped in Rojava

Rûdaw TV’s freelance reporter Ferhad Hamo and cameraman Mesud Akil have been kidnapped on a highway in Syria’s Rojava district by a group allegedly linked with ISIS.

Rûdaw TV officials said the “detention” took place yesterday around 11 am local tine as the two journalists were on their way to reporting a story. 

Channel asked for help

“While Ferhad Hamo and Mesud Akil were working for Rûdaw TV in an objective manner, they have been receiving pressures from local authorities,” Rûdaw TV said in a statement. 

Rûdaw TV officials also urged the immediate release of Hamo and Akil. 

Most dangerous area

RSF cited in its 2014 Round Up of Abuses Against Journalists Report that Territories controlled by Islamic State were the most dangerous area for reporting along with Baluchistan, Antyokiya, Donetsk and Lugantsk. 

Journalists warned on Turkish border 

Previously, Taraf newspaper columnist Amberin Zaman wrote an article warning that ISIS could kidnap a journalist from Turkey according to the information of an embassy official.  

Published on November 28, the article said that the danger was severe around Turkey’s Suruç district as ISIS was looking for journalists nearby. 

“The main target is journalists from western countries. We recommend you not to approach 20 kilometres to the border as the situation is critical,” the official allegedly told Zaman. 

The official also added that ISIS is likely to expand its kidnapping operations beyond the Turkish border. (EÖ/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.