- Following military developments in Rojava, five journalists were detained in Turkey while covering protests, and one journalist, Nedim Oruç, was arrested. Several others were injured, and access to numerous social media accounts was blocked.
- Rights and professional organizations warned that these interventions against journalists directly target freedom of expression, underscoring the vital role of Kurdish media in providing accurate information during periods of conflict.
MLSA – As discussions over a resolution to the Kurdish issue continue in Turkey, military operations in Syria during the first three weeks of the year have had a direct impact on the country’s political and social atmosphere. After the Syrian army launched an offensive west of the Euphrates River, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reportedly withdrew to the east, and control of Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa—once declared the capital of ISIS—shifted hands.
As a result of these developments, Kobani, Hasakah, and Qamishli remain among the main areas under Kurdish control. Allegations of attacks on Rojava, reports of rights violations, and fears of genocide sparked protests across multiple cities in Turkey. Journalists covering these protests have faced detention, physical violence, and prosecution.
Veysel Ok, co-director of the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), drew attention to the role of Kurdish media during conflicts:
“In such times of conflict, Kurdish journalists and Kurdish media are critically important for access to accurate information. Even pro-government media recognizes this, which is why censorship is first directed at Kurdish media in sensitive periods. If the public is to access truthful information during such crises, solidarity with Kurdish media and resistance against unlawful practices targeting them is essential. We can only overcome this process through solidarity.”
Journalists detained in Nusaybin
On Jan. 21, five journalists were detained while covering a protest march in Nusaybin, a district of Mardin province near the Syrian border. The protest was held in response to recent developments in Rojava. Among those detained were Kesira Önel, co-chair of the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG), and journalists Heval Önkol, Pelşin Çetinkaya, Ferhat Akıncı, and Muhammed Ali Yılmaz.
After their questioning was completed on Jan. 23 at the Mardin Provincial Security Directorate, the journalists were brought to the Nusaybin Courthouse to give statements to the prosecutor on charges of “resisting to prevent public officials from performing their duty” and “assaulting a public official on duty.” A total of 36 people were referred to the prosecutor in connection with the same case. Önel and the four journalists were released after their statements.
Journalists injured in Suruç
On Jan. 22, journalists Metin Yoksu and Bekir Şeyhanlı were injured while covering a protest march toward the Kobani border in the Suruç district of Şanlıurfa, southeastern Turkey. Yoksu was hospitalized after being struck in the head by a tear gas canister, while Şeyhanlı was reportedly injured after being hit by an armored vehicle.
Journalist Nedim Oruç arrested
Nedim Oruç, a reporter for Ajansa Welat, was arrested in Cizre, a district of Şırnak province, after being beaten and detained while covering news on Jan. 14. Authorities imposed a confidentiality order on his case and restricted his access to a lawyer.
Access blocks targeting Kurdish media
Citing “national security and public order,” Turkish authorities blocked access to the X (formerly Twitter) accounts of several journalists, former parliamentarians, and media outlets following developments in Syria. The blocked accounts include those of prominent journalists and Kurdish and Turkish-language news agencies with large followings. No official explanation was given regarding which specific posts prompted the bans, but several accounts are now inaccessible from within Turkey.
Among those affected were journalists Amed Dicle, Ronî Aydın Dere, Doğan Cihan, Yasin Kobulan, Erdal Er, and Günay Aslan. Media outlets including Mezopotamya Agency, Yeni Yaşam newspaper, and JinNews—each of which operates multilingual platforms—also had various accounts blocked. Former MP Ferhat Encu's account was also restricted.
Selman Çiçek, co-chair of the Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG), commented that there is a direct link between the war in Syria and increased press restrictions in Turkey. He noted that censorship targeting institutions representing the free press has escalated alongside the conflict, with many media organizations and journalists—especially from Mezopotamya Agency and JinNews—facing account bans and field restrictions while covering protests.
“Turkey’s attacks on the free press—and the media in general—have intensified with this war, particularly in terms of censorship. There is a direct parallel here. Free press institutions such as Mezopotamya Agency and JinNews are the ones exposing the truth, uncovering torture, and reporting on the war crimes committed by HTS. As these truths emerge, Turkey has become increasingly uncomfortable and launched an aggressive crackdown.”
Foreign journalists also targeted
French journalist Raphaël Boukandoura was detained in Istanbul on Jan. 19 while covering a press statement. He was later released following objections filed by MLSA. His brief detention under administrative supervision once again raised concerns about working conditions for foreign journalists in Turkey.
“This is not just a problem for journalists”
Turgut Dedeoğlu, president of the DİSK Basın-İş trade union, stressed that press freedom is a constitutional right and essential to the functioning of democratic systems:
“Critical media plays a vital role in public accountability, serving the public interest by questioning power centers. Attempts to intimidate journalists, restrict internet access, and apply censorship damage freedom of expression and the right to information. This situation affects not only journalists but all citizens with a right to democratic participation. The ability to express differing views, engage in public debate, and access information from diverse sources is fundamental to forming a healthy public opinion. Protecting press freedom is a shared responsibility for all defenders of democracy.”
“Peaceful statements cannot be silenced”
Human rights lawyer Eren Keskin highlighted how the conflict in Northern Syria is shrinking the space for freedom of expression in Turkey:
“Amid a conflict environment deeply affecting the Kurdish people in Northern Syria, especially Rojava, people naturally want to express their peaceful opinions—and this includes us human rights defenders. These press statements are entirely peace-focused. Yet in this conflict climate, statements that criticize the war-mongering language of the mainstream Turkish press, the political stance that ignores Kurdish rights, and that call for peace are being blocked.”
Keskin also noted that police interventions during peaceful protests amount to clear instances of torture:
“We’re not just talking about mistreatment here—we’re talking about direct, concrete torture. As the Human Rights Association and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, our stance against torture is crystal clear. It is unacceptable that so many of our events as human rights defenders are being banned in different regions. This violates both domestic law and international treaties that Turkey has signed. Peaceful statements must not be obstructed. Our calls for peace in Rojava will continue.”
"This silence reflects on the field as a message of 'we stand behind you'"
The Co-Chairperson of the Human Rights Association (İHD), lawyer Cihan Aydın, evaluated what has been happening as a reflection of Turkey’s approach to human rights during times of crisis. Aydın stated that during periods when internal and external tensions rise, pressure on the media and police violence increase in parallel, saying: “Turkey’s crisis management and human rights policy largely revolve around bans, violence, and judicial harassment.”
Emphasizing that in recent days, torture and ill-treatment against protesters, violence and detentions against journalists, and restrictions on social media have now become systematic, Aydın used the following expressions: “Especially during internal tensions, all human rights values are completely disregarded.” Aydın continued his words as follows:
“The state is trying to impose on the whole society whatever it understands and plans as the solution to the Kurdish issue. It tries to silence those who object or propose alternative solution models through arbitrary and unlawful methods. Because the only way for authoritarian regimes to maintain continuity is to constantly walk around wielding a stick. And those who are beaten with the stick the most are those who object and make these objections known to the public — that is, journalists.”
Drawing attention to the silence of political authorities in the face of police violence, Aydın said: “Neither the Minister of Justice nor the Minister of Interior has said a single word against this police violence. This silence reflects on the field as a message of ‘we stand behind you.’” Aydın stated that the Human Rights Association has documented the violations and filed criminal complaints against those responsible. Condemning the violence and detention practices against journalists, he made the following call: “The state must abandon these policies that target the public’s right to receive news.”
Military developments in Syria and implications for Turkey
Experts say recent agreements between the Damascus government and the SDF mark a new phase for Turkey’s border and security policies. The weakening of the SDF’s military and political power is seen as a major turning point in Ankara’s long-running Syria strategy.
At the same time, images documenting civilian casualties and serious human rights violations during attacks on Rojava have further escalated tensions in the region. The Ministry of Defense of the interim Syrian government—formed under the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—admitted that war crimes had occurred during operations targeting SDF-controlled areas. The ministry claimed that the violations were “individual” rather than institutional and announced that investigations had been launched.
In Turkey, the earliest signs of these military and political shifts are being felt in mounting pressure on journalists covering the Kurdish issue and Kurdish media more broadly. As public debate intensifies over the alleged attacks, rights violations, and fears of genocide in Rojava, journalists reporting on these topics are increasingly facing detention, violence, and censorship—raising renewed concerns over freedom of expression.
