The Syrian Coalition condemns the kidnapping of journalist Obaida Batal and his colleague in Aleppo by an unidentified group on Thursday and calls for their immediate release.

The Coalition renews its commitment to strive, in coordination with the Syrian Military Council, to provide full protection to journalists in liberated areas and to prosecute those who violate the law in these areas.

The Syrian Coalition stresses that assaults on civilians, including journalists, are unacceptable under any circumstances, and all perpetrators will be brought to justice.