Rasheed Bakr, a Syrian reporter and camera operator who worked for the Al-Mohrar Media Network news website and the Syria 1 News Agency, was killed in an airstrike near the northern Idlib city of Kafr Takharim on October 26, 2020, according to news reports, Bakr’s employers, and a member of the Al-Mohrar Media Network who spoke to CPJ via email but did not disclose their identity.
According to news reports, 20 people, including Bakr, were killed in the airstrike, which the reports said was carried out by Russian warplanes. The strike targeted a training camp in Jabal al-Duwailah that was being used by the Turkish-backed National Front for Liberation, a group that is part of the opposition Syrian National Army, which the Al-Mohrar Media Network supports, according to those reports and the network member.
“He told us he would film the camp and prepare a video report for Al-Mohrar. We agreed to his proposal and he went there to cover the event, but a missile fired from a Russian warplane hit the parade ground in the camp, killing a number of soldiers and also Rasheed. Many others were injured,” the person said.
They said Bakr had worked for Al-Mohrar Media Network since its founding in November 2018.
On the days prior to his death, Bakr covered local news in Kafr Takharim, including the opening of a youth center, a protest by local teachers, and a school festival.
According to news reports, Bakr also worked for the media office of the National Front for Liberation.
CPJ emailed the Russian Defense Ministry for comment but did not receive any reply.