Journalist Bakr al-Qasim was detained by Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) Military Police and Turkish intelligence agents on Monday in the city of al-Bab, located in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, Syria. The circumstances surrounding his arrest remain unclear, prompting widespread calls from activists and media organizations for his immediate release.
Al-Qasim, a correspondent for several media outlets including Anadolu Agency and Agence France-Presse, was stopped at a military police checkpoint near Al-Hal Market while returning from a trade and industrial exhibition with his wife, journalist Nabiha Al-Taha. Activists reported that al-Qasim’s phone was confiscated at the scene, and authorities later raided his home, seizing his computers and hard drives. Despite the seriousness of the arrest, no judicial warrant was issued, and the reasons for his detention have not been disclosed.
The Syrian Journalists Union (SJU), the largest organization representing media workers in the Aleppo countryside, condemned the arrest in a statement, characterizing it as part of a systemic pattern of violations against journalists in northern Syria. The Union demanded that both Turkish and Syrian authorities ensure al-Qasim’s safety, stressing the need for his immediate release or his referral to the judiciary if any allegations exist.
“This arbitrary arrest is a severe violation of human rights,” the Union stated, warning that such actions contribute to growing public anger and could lead to undesirable consequences. The organization urged the authorities to respect laws regulating journalism in conflict zones, emphasizing the protection of civilian journalists from harassment, intimidation, assault, abuse, and arbitrary detention.
Al-Qasim’s wife, Nabiha Al-Taha, provided further details in a video statement on the X social media platform, expressing her frustration and concern. She revealed that she was briefly detained alongside her husband before being released after two hours of pressure from local journalists and residents. Al-Taha confirmed that al-Qasim is currently being held by Turkish intelligence in the Kilis branch, though no charges have been formally presented.
“Bakr is a journalist working for his country and his people. What is the accusation that will be directed at such a person?” Al-Taha asked, appealing to the international and local community for intervention to secure her husband’s release. She urged the media to avoid spreading rumors and rely on verified information, reiterating her call for increased media pressure on the Turkish authorities.
The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) confirmed the detention of al-Qasim and reported that he was “assaulted and dragged” when he questioned the reason for his arrest. The head of the interim government affiliated with the Syrian opposition coalition, Abdel Rahman Mustafa, claimed he was unaware of al-Qasim’s detention but called on local authorities to release the journalist and allow him to continue his work without obstruction.
Al-Qasim has been a correspondent and photographer for several years, covering various stages of the Syrian conflict and the devastating earthquake in February 2023, which claimed the lives of 17 members of his family. His detention marks the latest in a series of incidents highlighting the perilous conditions faced by journalists in the region. The international community and press organizations are closely monitoring the situation, awaiting further developments in al-Qasim’s case as the demand for his release intensifies.
 Military Police and Turkish intelligence agents on Monday in the city of al-Bab, located in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, Syria.){kind=link}