Violations against journalists endemic in Syria, says Reporters Without Borders

EDLEB, Syria — In a statement, Reporters Without Borders condemned the targeting of journalists in Syria, saying the number and degree of the violations against them are serious.

Among the most recent documented violations was the killing of Civil Defense journalist Hammam al-Assi as a result of artillery shelling on the town of Sarja, south of Edleb (Idlib). In another incident, caricaturist, painter, and activist Hadeel Ismail, working in the Syrian Press Center, was stabbed by unknown persons in the city of Azaz, north of Holeb (Aleppo).

The arrests of three journalists — Izz al-Din Mulla, Mohammed Saleh, and Barzan Liani — in the city of Zalin (Qamishli) were also highlighted.

Reporters Without Borders called for efforts to be made to allow journalists to perform their work in all Syrian regions.