News Center- The Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) has published a statement, condemning the killing of journalists Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan by a Turkish drone in Kobanê on December 19, 2024.

“Women Press Freedom is outraged by the Turkish drone strike that killed journalists Jihan Belki (Cihan Bilgin) and Nazim Dashdam (Nazım Daştan) near the Tishrin Dam, on the outskirts of Kobani. They were reporting on attacks on the dam when, according to local human rights groups, their vehicle was ‘directly’ targeted. Their driver was also injured in the strike,” the statement said.

Cihan Bilgin is the third woman journalist killed by a Turkish drone strike this year, following the deaths of Gulistan Tara and Hêro Bahadîn in Iraq in August, the statement stressed.

“We strongly condemn this attack and demand an immediate, independent investigation to determine if these journalists were deliberately hit. Purposefully targeting the press in a conflict zone constitutes a war crime. Türkiye must be held accountable for the growing number of Kurdish journalists killed and injured by its drone strikes. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of Jihan and Nazim.”