The Coalition for Women in Journalism (CFWIJ) condemned the deadly Turkish airstrike which claimed the lives of two female journalists in Sulaymaniyah city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq earlier today.

The vehicle struck by Turkish UCAV belonged to Chatr Production, a media company operating in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq). The free press workers in the vehicle were targeted while they were working for a television programme.  Journalists Hêro Bahadîn and Gulistan Tara were martyred in the attack, while Chatr Production Supervisor Rêbîn Bekir (30) was wounded.

In a statement on its X account, CFWIJ said: “Women Press Freedom mourns the devastating loss of Kurdish journalists Gülistan Tara and Hero Bahadin, who were tragically killed in a targeted attack by the Turkish army in Sulaymaniyah. Six other journalists were injured in this senseless assault. We strongly condemn this cowardly act of violence against these journalists who championed truth and press freedom. Our hearts ache for their families and colleagues. We demand the Turkish army cease its ruthless targeting of journalists in the Kurdistan region and call for swift justice and accountability.”