Masar Press
September 5, 2013, in Jobar, Damascus, Syria

Hasoun, also known as Qusay Al-Shami, was a correspondent for the opposition news agency Masar Press. He was killed by a tank shell while covering clashes between rebel and regime forces in the Damascus suburb of Jobar, Masar Press and local human rights groups reported.

News reports said the neighborhood saw heavy clashes and shelling by regime forces that day as part of a general government offensive in the Damascus suburbs in the aftermath of the August 21 chemical weapons attack that killed hundreds of civilians.

The Syrian Journalists Association reported that before joining Masar Press, Hasoun had documented the uprising as a citizen journalist. Under his pseudonym Qusay al-Shami, Hassoun gave many interviews to international news outlets about the latest developments in the Damascus suburbs.

CPJ found one picture of Hasoun posing with an automatic weapon, but could not find any evidence he ever used weapons or was carrying one on the day of his death. Any non-combatant, including journalists, who take part in hostilities lose their protective status, according to the Geneva Conventions.

Medium:Internet
Job:Internet Reporter
Beats Covered:Human Rights, Politics, War
Gender:Male
Local or Foreign:Local
Freelance:No
Type of Death:Crossfire/Combat-Related
Suspected Source of Fire:Military Officials

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