Official: Ankara seeks immediate release of CNN Türk crew held in Israel

The head of Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, Burhanettin Duran, has said that two Turkish journalists were detained in Israel, describing the incident as an attack on members of the press.

In a statement posted on X, Duran said that CNN Türk reporter Emrah Çakmak and cameraman Halil Kahraman had been taken into custody, Caliber.Az reports.

We are once again confronted with an attack targeting members of the press by Israel in an attempt to conceal the truth.

I have learned that CNN Türk reporter Emrah Çakmak and cameraman Halil Kahraman have been detained in Israel.

We are undertaking the necessary initiatives…

— Burhanettin Duran (@burhanduran) March 3, 2026

“We are once again confronted with an attack targeting members of the press by Israel in an attempt to conceal the truth,” Duran wrote, adding that Turkish authorities are undertaking the necessary initiatives to secure the journalists’ prompt release.

He said the situation is being closely monitored.

Further details regarding the circumstances of the detention were not immediately available.

By Sabina Mammadli