Two foreign journalists killed in Syria

A foreign reporter and a photojournalist were killed during a military attack in the rebel-held town of Homs in Syria last 22 February 2012.

Marie Colvin, 55, an American-born reporter of Britain’s The Sunday Times and Rémi Ochlik, 28, an award-winning French photojournalist were killed on the morning of February 22 when the Syrian military hit the building from where Colvin, Ochlik, and a number of foreign journalists were covering the Homs battle. Other journalists were also injured. Colvin’s last report was about a group of terrified Syrian women and children crowded together in a basement for two weeks.

The city was under the 19th consecutive day of attack by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian government has been besieged by protesters demanding the resignation of President Assad. The Syrian government tried to impose a news blackout according to the Community to Protect Journalists (CPJ). It also tried controlling local news reports and expelling or denying entry to dozens of foreign journalists after a major uprising in the country early last year.

The Syrian conflict has become exceedingly dangerous to cover.  Foreign journalists are slipping into Syria illegally after the government prevented them from covering the attack. Last 16 February 2012, Anthony Shadid, 43, a New York Times correspondent, died due to an asthma attack after entering Syria illegally.

Five other local and international journalists have died in Homs while covering the clashes between the government and opposition forces since December. The latest fatality, Anas al-Tarsha, 17, a local freelance videographer, was killed by a mortar round while filming the bombardment of Homs last 24 February 2012. (CPJ)