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Escalating Violations Against Journalists in Syria: Killings and Assaults Amid Lack of Protection
Since early May 2025, Syria has witnessed a marked surge in violations against journalists and media workers, according to documentation by the Syrian Center for Media Freedoms at the Syrian Journalists Association. These violations have ranged from killings and injuries to enforced disappearances and direct assaults, all taking place in a volatile security and political environment with limited safeguards to ensure press freedom.
Killings That Shook the Media Community
On May 24, the body of media professional and designer Mohammad Khiti (36) was found in an abandoned area near the town of Jayrud in the Qalamoun region, north of Damascus, after his disappearance on May 8. The incident sparked shock across the media community. The Syrian Ministry of Information expressed “deep concern” over Khiti’s killing, stating that “the safety of journalists across the Syrian Arab Republic is a top priority” and pledging to pursue the case until the truth is revealed.
On July 14, Sari Majid al-Shoufi, a photographer for the “Suwayda 24” network, was killed while covering events in his village of Taara, west of Sweida, in an attack carried out by unidentified armed groups.
Two days later, on July 16, Hassan al-Zoubi (Abu Luqman), head of the media office in Daraa province, was killed in Sweida while covering an agreement between the Syrian government and the Druze spiritual leadership. Local sources told the Syrian Center for Media Freedoms that a sniper from one of Sweida’s local factions opened fire on the vehicle carrying al-Zoubi and a government delegation as they were leaving the home of Druze Sheikh al-Aql Yusuf al-Jarbou, killing him instantly.
Direct Injuries and Repeated Targeting
On July 15, journalist Nadim al-Nabulsi (reporter for “Ahrar Houran”) was injured by shrapnel from an Israeli drone strike at the entrance to Sweida city. On the same day, journalist Muhannad Abu Zeid was shot in the hand by a sniper while covering clashes near Syrian government Public Security forces in Sweida.
On May 19, journalist Anwar Asfour (cameraman for Al Arabiya) and media activists Talal Sayyah and Ahmad al-Kharyoush narrowly survived a direct Israeli attack while on assignment in the village of Quneitra’s Kodneh.
Assaults and Death Threats
On May 4, armed assailants attacked a group of journalists covering an agreement between local factions and the Syrian government in Sweida. Independent journalist Ahmad Fallaha and Al Arabiya/Al Hadath correspondent Mohammad Haroun were beaten, while the entire group was threatened with death and had their equipment stolen. The journalists were only able to leave after the intervention of local community leaders.
The following day, Syrian Minister of Information Hamza al-Mustafa met with several of the journalists who were attacked, affirming the ministry’s “commitment to protecting journalists and following up on their cases in coordination with the relevant authorities to ensure a safe media environment in all areas,” according to an official statement.
Source: Syrian Journalists Association
