The occupying Turkish state carried out an airstrike in Seyîdsadiq district of Sulaymaniyah yesterday, targeting the vehicle of free press workers, killing Kurdish female journalists Gulistan Tara and Hêro Bahadîn.

Gorran Movement Spokesperson Dr Dilêr Abdulhalik condemned the Turkish state's attack on the free press and said: “We consider this incident a terrorist crime, and we need to organise large-scale protests against Turkey's attacks and occupation.”

Dr Dilêr Abdulhalik, who attended the condolence visits for the martyr Hêro Behadîn, said the following: “This attack is the continuation of the Turkish state's occupation and attacks on the territory of Iraq and Kurdistan Region for years. Especially in the recent period, attacks against Sulaymaniyah have increased. We strongly condemn this course of affairs.”

Prof. Dr. Dilêr Abdulhalik pointed out that the attack specifically targeted Kurdish women journalists and said: “This attack is clearly an act of terrorism. Apart from the governments of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, political parties, civil society organisations, individuals and freedom defenders should raise their voices and adopt a stance against this situation.”

Dr Dilêr Abdulhalik noted that this was not the first time such an attack was carried out, as the occupying Turkish state had targeted journalists before. He continued: “Protests should be expanded not only in the Kurdistan Region but also in the diaspora and this attack should be brought to international public opinion. The national security of Iraq and Kurdistan Region is under threat and it is not possible for the people to live in peace. If the relevant institutions are not serious and persistent on this issue, incidents and victimisation will increase.”

The Gorran Movement Spokesperson concluded: “We hope that the governments of Iraq and Kurdistan Region will take this attack seriously and not remain silent.”