More than 8 Media outlets faced violations from KDP forces
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Journalists covering the teachers’ protest at Degala checkpoint on Sunday were met with excessive force from Erbil security forces, resulting in injuries, severe health issues, and confiscation of journalistic equipment.
Bwar Media
Idris Jarjis, a photographer, is in critical condition due to excessive exposure to tear gas. His colleagues reported that security forces fired tear gas directly into the crowd, severely affecting him.
NRT
KDP forces attacked the NRT team and confiscated their equipment، the reporter’s health was critical during the demonistration.
Payam TV
Ramyar Osman, a reporter, and Sayed Yasir, a cameraman, were injured when security forces fired tear gas at them while they were covering the protest at the Degala checkpoint. Both suffered breathing difficulties and required medical attention.
Speda Channel
Sepeda reporter Madah Jamal was also injured by tear gas while reporting on the demonstration. Witnesses described the security forces’ use of tear gas as indiscriminate, affecting both protesters and journalists.
KNN Media
While forcibly dispersing the teachers’ protest, security forces seized the journalistic equipment of the KNN media team, instructing them to retrieve it from Erbil security offices.
Additionally, security forces raided the KNN office in Erbil, confiscating both journalistic and personal belongings from the staff, raising serious concerns about press freedom in the Kurdistan Region.
Xendan Media
Journalists Shahen Wahab and Garmian Omar suffered severe asthma attacks due to the excessive use of tear gas at the Degala checkpoint. Both struggled to breathe and had to leave the scene for medical assistance.
Zoom News
Security forces seized the cameras and equipment of the Zoom News team
Politic Press
Dr. Sarbast Hussein, editor-in-chief of Politic Press, told Metro Center that Taman Rawanduzi and Nabi Malik Faisal were assaulted by security forces during a live broadcast, he claims that the journalists are still detained and Asayish is responsible for their lives. Their journalistic equipment was confiscated and deliberately broken, preventing them from continuing their coverage.
Growing Concerns Over Press Freedom
The violent crackdown on journalists has drawn strong condemnation from media watchdogs and journalist organizations. The Kurdistan Journalists’ Syndicate called for an independent investigation into the attacks, warning that such actions threaten press freedom and the right to report freely on public demonstrations.
The incident marks yet another escalation in the challenges faced by journalists in the Kurdistan Region, where covering protests and politically sensitive events increasingly comes at great personal risk.
There are many other journalists affected, this list is an investigation by Kurdfile Media.