Syria: German and Turkish journalists missing in Raqqa since late January

German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann and Turkish journalist Ahmed Polad were arrested in Raqqa, in north-eastern Syria, by Syrian government forces on 18 January, according to eyewitness reports. Neither their families nor their lawyers have heard from them since. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) calls on the Syrian authorities to disclose information on the whereabouts of the missing journalists and to guarantee their safety.

German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann and Turkish journalist Ahmed Polad.

In correspondence with the IFJ, Michelmann's family lawyer, Roland Meister, confirmed the arrest of the journalists by forces of the Syrian government on 18 January. According to eyewitnesses, an agreement was made to evacuate a group of civilians sheltering in a building in Raqqa amid clashes. However, Michelmann and Polad were separatedfrom the group and forced into a military vehicle. They have not been seen since.

In late January, the journalists were reporting on the Syrian government's military offensive in the Kurdish region of Rojava, in north-eastern Syria. Michelmann and Polad worked for several Kurdish media outlets, including Özgür TV and Turkish news agency ETHA agency, IFJ's German affiliate dju verdi reported.

According to a statementissued by the union, a spokesperson for the Federal Foreign Office in Germany confirmed that they were aware of Michelmann's disappearance. However, for data protection reasons, no information was provided about specific steps taken or possible outcomes.

Their disappearance only became known after more than a month due to interrupted contact with the conflict zone.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "It is not acceptable for the Syrian government to ignore requests of information on the fate and whereabouts of journalists Michelmann and Polad nearly two months after their arrest. We call on the country's authorities to disclose the journalists' whereabouts and to guarantee their safety. Journalists are civilians and must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law."