Syria: SANA photographer killed by unknown individuals in Hama city

Unidentified armed individuals abducted photographer Ibrahim Ajaj, who had been working for the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), from his home in the city of Hama in western Syria. His lifeless body was found riddled with bullets on 22 January, his relatives told AFP. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates, the Syrian Journalists' Union (SJU) and the Syrian Journalists' Association (SJA), in condemning the killing and calling on the transitional government to launch an investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Credit: IFJ.

Photographer Ibrahim Ajaj had been working for SANA, Syrian government's official news agency, since before the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024.

On 22 January, Ajaj's lifeless body was foundafter he was abducted from his home in Hama city by two armed men. A relative of the photographer told AFP, on condition of anonymity, that Ajaj had received threats prior to being killed.

On 23 January, the country's Information Ministry condemnedthe photographer's murder, while affirming its full commitment to supporting freedom of the press and protecting journalists. In an official statement, Syria's transnational government saidthat it was working with the Interior Ministry "to expedite uncovering the circumstances of this crime and to hold the perpetrators accountable".

The SJUand the SJAdenounced Ajaj's killing and urged the competent authorities to take all necessary measures to protect journalists and bring the perpetrators to justice.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "We are in shock and deeply saddened by the outrageous killing of our colleague, Ibrahim Ajaj. We send our condolences to his family and colleagues. The transitional government must show its commitment to protect the lives and safety of all journalists in Syria by launching an investigation into the crime and bringing the perpetrators to justice.