The below is a statement from Rudaw Media Network: Rudaw’s team has professionally covered the developments in Hasaka since the Islamic State group took hold of a prison in Syria on January 20, despite repeated interference by the authorities. However, on Wednesday, the Asayish forces of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria expelled our team from the city. Rudaw’s Barzan Farman, who along with cameramen Issa Khalaf and Ara Bijo were covering the prison incident, said that on Wednesday, Asayish forces of the autonomous administration stopped Rudaw from operating in the area, expelling them from the city and telling them they could not return. The Rudaw correspondent added that their names have been given to Hasaka checkpoints, who have been told to not allow them back in the province. In response, Rudaw’s Rojava office manager Fahd Sabri met with the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi on Wednesday, asking him to halt the decision. The SDF said he would task two officials of the armed forces to solve the problem with Rudaw’s Rojava office manager. However, as of today, Rudaw has not been informed of any developments and the ban on Rudaw continues. Rudaw’s team consisting of Vivian Fatah and Khalaf were once again stopped from entering Hasaka on Friday. Fatah said that Asayish forces did not allow them to enter the city from Sabakh checkpoint. When trying to get permission, an Asayish official by the name of Heval Siraj told her that the SDF does not want Rudaw to cover the events of Hasaka and therefore Asayish will not let them in. Rudaw’s office in Qamishli has been previously attacked six times. A number of the attacks were by the Revolutionary Youth group, which is affiliated to the Democratic Union Party (PYD). The Asayish forces of the Autonomous Administration are yet to hold anyone accountable for the attacks on Rudaw’s offices. Rudaw’s team has also on several occasions been prevented from working and faced detention by the Asayish forces. Rudaw Media Network asks the authorities in Rojava to end the obstacles they are placing in front of our coverage. As an authorized outlet in Rojava, our teams are facing violation of our press freedom and the law.
