Syrian journalist Alaa Mohammed was found dead at his home in Syria’s coastal governorate of Lattakia on February 21, 2026.

Mohammad, who belonged to the country’s Alawite minority, was initially known as a sports journalist before shifting his focus to political affairs in Syria after the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad. He published daily videos on his YouTube channel covering political, economic and social developments in the country. 

In his final video, published just hours before his killing, he discussed recent security incidents, including several instances of killings of civilians by unidentified perpetrators, and said the current government would need considerable time to build what he described as a national army.

Mohammed’s son, Hassan, told CPJ that his father was alone at his second home in the village of Nini, where he went from the family residence in Jableh city. “He was killed with a sharp object from behind, contrary to the reports that said he was shot,” Hassan said.

“The incident occurred between 8 and 9 p.m. We do not know the full details about who committed the crime. There are some suspects, and the investigation is still ongoing,” he added.

Hassan said there were no personal or family disputes that could have led to the killing. “There may have been ideological or political disagreements with some people, but I cannot accuse anyone or claim that of a specific person. No one saw the perpetrators.”