DAMASCUS, (SANA) - The Syrian Journalists Union and National Media Council mourned the martyrdom of three journalists.

They condemned the heinous terrorist attack targeted the Syrian al-Ikhbariya Satellite channel causing the martyrdom of three of its staff.

Chairman of Journalist Union Elias Murad said "We pray for the mercy for the souls of the martyrs of the terrorist attack against al-Ikhbariya Channel and those who failed in facing all kinds of aggression against Syria," expressing the ability and determination of the Syrian journalists to foil the schemes targeting the Syrian media.

Murad added that the attack against al-Ikhabariya Channel comes in the framework of the continued aggression against the Syrian media and journalists.

In a statement, the National Media council offered sincere condolences for the families of the martyrs, expressing condemnation of all forms of terrorism which targets Syria's security and stability.

The statement stressed that the Syrian national media will remain one of the most important basis of Syria's resistance to protect its role and position in the region and the world.

Chairman of the National Media Council, Taleb Qadi Amin, stressed that the terrorist attack against the Syrian al-Ikhbariya channel is a "coward Terrorist act" which aims at silencing the voice of the truth of the Syrian media.

Amin condemned this coward act expressing support of all Syrian media figures to their mates in al-Ikhbariya channel.

He denounced the European Countries' sanctions on the Syrian TV and the General Board of the Radio and TV, asserting that they completed this issue through this coward act against a Syrian national media institution which represents the voice of truth.

Former Information Minister Adnan Mahmoud stressed that the brutal terrorist crime against the Syrian al-Ikhbariya Channel is a part of the scheme which targets the Syrian media as it conveys the reality of the terrorist acts perpetrated against the Syrian people.

In a phone call with the Syrian TV, Mahmoud called on all the journalists to shoulder their ethical and legal responsibilities towards this crime.

Several Ambassadors accredited in Damascus expressed complete solidarity with the Syrian media and offered, on behalf of their countries, condolences for the families of the martyrs.

Arab Journalists Condemn Massacre against al-Ikhbariya TV as Criminal Act

Chairman of Iraqi Media Council, Hassan Selman, described the attack as a criminal act, adding that the Syrian people is facing a foreign-backed attack carried out by takfiri and terrorist tools.

Tunisian journalist Kawthar al-Beshrawi expressed shock over the silence of the Arab media towards the death of Syrian journalists, holding the instigators accountable for this crime.

"Today we are not taking about media, rather we are talking about camps in which journalists became reserve soldiers despite the fact that these journalists are not convinced with what they are doing," she added.

Inspecting the site of the terrorist attack, Head of Iranian Radio & TV office in Damascus, Hassan Shemashdi, said that targeting al-Ikhbariya TV Channel aimed at taking revenge on its role in conveying the reality and revealing the conspiracy that Syria have been facing for 15 months.

Shemshadi said that some satellite channels did not broadcast the news on attacking al-Ikhbariya TV Channel which indicate the work mechanism of these channels in ignoring the massacres committed by the armed terrorist groups since these groups receive regional and Arab support.

Amnesty International condemns the attack

Amnesty International condemned the attack which targeted the Syrian al-Ikhbariya TV that claimed the lives of several press martyrs. 

"Al-Ikhbariya TV is an independent entity.. its staff is civilian who should be protected against any aggression," UPI quoted the International organization as saying in a statement today.    

For her part, Ann Harrison, Deputy Director of the Organization's Middle East and North Africa Program, said that all sides should condemn this attack. 

Lebanese Amal Movement Condemns Terrorist Attack Against Syrian al-Ikhbariya TV

For its part, Lebanese Amal Movement condemned the terrorist attack against the Syrian al-Ikhbariya Channel and the massacre perpetrated by the armed terrorist group against its staff.

In a statement issued by the Movement's Central Information Bureau, it said that the attack constitutes an aggression against journalism, media and the freedom of press by the armed terrorist groups.

The Movement expressed solidarity with the Syrian Channel and all free mass media which defend the Arab nation's legitimate issues , offering sincere condolences for the families of the martyrs.

Golan People Condemn Terrorist Attack against al-Ikhbariya Channel

Citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan condemned the terrorist attack which targeted al-Ikhbariya channel that comes in the framework of the EU sanctions and other Arab-League sanctions against the national media as it conveys the reality of events on the ground and uncovers the western and Arab media fabrications aimed at destabilizing Syria.

In a statement, the Golan people stressed that terrorism will never silence the free Syrian voice from conveying the reality of events to the whole world.

United States Denounce Attack on al-Ikhbariya Channel

The United States denounced the attack which targeted al-Ikhbariya Channel, with White House Press Secretary Jay Carney reiterating his country's condemnation of the violence in Syria.

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