The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) kidnapped two Rudaw journalists, Farhad Hamo and Massoud Aqeel, in Syria on Monday. The Kurdish network said the two men were on an assignment, but offered no further details.
Rudaw did not state how they knew the Islamic State committed the crime and the terrorist group did not publicly claim responsibility. Rudaw is one of the leading sources on the Islamic State and news in the Middle East. Kurds are also one of the main targets of the Islamic State, but Rudaw did not say if the two men are ethnic Kurds.
“Rudaw Media Network demands the release of both journalists and urges local tribes to play their role in securing their freedom,” said the network.
The Committee to Protect Journalists said over “90 journalists have been kidnapped in Syria” since the civil war started in 2011 with 20 still missing.
“We ask all who can to help secure the immediate and safe release of Farhad Hamo and Massoud Aqeel,” said Sherif Mansour, program coordinator for the CPJ in the Middle East and Africa.
The list of crimes committed by the Islamic State against journalists is lengthy. The militants murdered American journalist James Foley in August and American journalist Steven Sotloff in September. BasNews said the Islamic State kidnapped twelve journalists in Mosul in mid-October and seven more the last week of October. The terrorists slaughtered nine of the original twelve between November 4 and 6. In September, militants told journalists in Mosul to “stop their professional activities and join ISIS ranks or face execution.”
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