Syria photographer released after being detained by Turkiye-backed forces

Syrian factions loyal to Turkiye in northern Syria have released photojournalist Bakr Al-Qassem, who works for several media outlets including AFP, after a week of detention.

On 26 August, local police in the city of Al-Bab arrested 28-year-old Al-Qassem while he was driving his car with his wife, journalist Nabiha Taha, upon their return from covering an exhibition. Several of their belongings were confiscated from his car and his home, including photography equipment, a computer and electronic devices.

Al-Qassem told AFP: “I was released on Monday night and I am fine and with my family now.” He added: “I will return to my journalistic work as soon as possible.”

No formal charges have been brought against him after he was interrogated “about the nature of my journalistic work” in areas controlled by Syrian factions loyal to Ankara.

“We are relieved that Bakr has been freed and we thank all the colleagues and organisations that expressed their solidarity with him during his detention,” said AFP‘s Global News Director Phil Chetwynd, adding: “We hope that he will be able to resume his work without any restrictions.”

Al-Qassem has been working with AFP since 2018 as a photographer and correspondent, as well as for other organisations including Turkiye’s Anadolu news agency and local news outlets.

He has covered several stages of the Syrian conflict, as well as the devastating earthquake that struck Syria and neighbouring Turkiye in February 2023, during which he lost 17 members of his family.

Syria is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists and media workers, according to the Syrian Centre for Journalistic Freedoms.

READ: 214 arbitrary detentions in Syria in August, 13 were children: SNHR