Iraq/Kurdistan: WPF is Outraged by the Killing of Gulistan Tara and Hêro Bahadîn in a Turkish Drone Strike, Multiple Journalists Also Injured
Women Press Freedom expresses heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased journalists
Location: Iraq / Kurdistan, Sulaymaniyah
Date: August 23, 2024
Women Press Freedom vehemently condemns the Turkish drone strike on a media vehicle in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, killing journalists Gulistan Tara and Hêro Bahadîn and injuring multiple others. Journalists covering conflict in the region have been repeatedly hit with Turkish strikes, resulting in multiple deaths. Deliberately targeting press in a conflict zone is a war crime. We demand an immediate independent investigation into this horrific assault to determine the circumstances. If found responsible, Turkish authorities must be held to account. The killing and injuring of journalists on the frontline has to stop.
On 23 August 2024, a Turkish drone struck a van in Gondeh Resh, a village in the Sayd Sadegh region near Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan. The vehicle hit was transporting journalists affiliated with Chatr Media Company.
The drone strike, part of the Turkish army’s ongoing military operations in the region, resulted in the deaths of two women journalists Gulîstan Tara and Hero Bahadin, and injuries to several others.
Gulistan Tara was a 40 year old journalist from Batman in Turkiye, Bakur, while Hêro Bahadîn was a 27 year old video editor.
Rebin Bakir, a video editor and social media officer was also injured in the attack. He remains in stable condition in Shar Hospital in Sulaymaniyah after treatment.
All three journalists worked for Chatr Multimedia Production Company, which operates Sterk TV and Aryen TV, news channels funded by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) an organization designated as a terrorist group by Turkiye, the EU, and the United States.
Kamal Hamaraza, head of Chatr Multimedia Production Company, says that the journalists hit had “no direct or indirect connection to politics or military activities.”
Iraqi Kurdistan's counter-terrorism service has claimed that the vehicle of journalists belonged to the PKK. They asserted that the attack killed a senior PKK member, his driver, and a guard.
However, Deputy Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan, Qubad Talabani, has refuted these claims, confirming that the victims were journalists and not members of an armed group.
This incident is part of a disturbing trend of violence against journalists in Iraqi Kurdistan. On July 8, 2024, a Turkish drone strike in Şengal resulted in the death of Çira TV reporter Murad Mirza İbrahim and injuries to journalist Mydia Hussen. On October 4, 2022, academic and Jineoloji Dergisi editor Nagihan Akarsel was murdered in a targeted shooting outside her home in Sulaymaniyah.
The drone strike on a van carrying journalists in Gondeh Resh, Iraqi Kurdistan, is a severe attack on press freedom. Women Press Freedom strongly condemns this violence and demands a full investigation. The international community needs to hold those responsible accountable and ensure the safety of journalists in conflict zones. It’s vital that we support press freedom and protect those who risk their lives to inform the public. We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of Gulistan Tara and Hêro Bahadîn and wish their colleagues injured in the strike a swift recovery.
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