International-News

Two Turkish journalists killed in Syria: Tensions between Ankara and the US escalate

The death of two reporters in an airstrike raises questions about responsibility and escalating tensions between Turkish and US forces in northern Syria

Cihan Belkin and Nazim Dashtan, Turkish journalists working for the Hawar (Anha) news agency, were killed in an air raid yesterday afternoon while covering the ongoing conflict between Syrian Kurdish forces and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army. According to the news site Rudaw, the attack took place along the road between the Tishrin dam and the town of Sarrin. A non-governmental organisation reported the incident, confirming that it was a Turkish drone attack. The driver of the journalists was injured, while the Turkish journalistic association Dicle Firat condemned the attack, expressing its indignation.

The arrival of US diplomats in Damascus

As the fighting continues, US diplomats have arrived in Syria with the aim of meeting the new authorities and discussing the future of the country after 13 years of civil war. It is the first official visit to Damascus since 2011, when the conflict broke out. The turning point was 8 December, when Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, marking the fall of his regime. The US delegation, led by Barbara Leaf and Daniel Rubinstein, will hold talks with representatives of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and civil society to discuss a new vision for Syria and US support.

Turkey’s stance on terrorist organisations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated the need to eradicate terrorist organisations in Syria, including the Islamic State (ISIS) and the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (FDS). During a press conference in Cairo, Erdogan called these groups, including the PKK, a threat to Syria’s survival. The Turkish president called for decisive action to remove these forces from Syrian territory, reaffirming his rigid stance towards any threat to regional stability.

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