ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Diplomatic missions and media workers on Monday paid tribute to Halkawt Aziz (1989 - 2026), Rudaw’s Baghdad bureau chief, who passed away tragically in a car accident. Aziz is being remembered as a veteran journalist for his professional contributions to the Kurdish and Iraqi media landscape.
Aziz, 36, died after succumbing to critical injuries sustained in a car accident while traveling from the Iraqi capital Baghdad to the southern Basra province. He is survived by his wife and two sons, as well as his father, mother, and six siblings.
Diplomats and organizations
Former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf sent a message saying, “Dear Rudaw friends, I wanted to convey my condolences over the tragic loss of your colleague.”
The veteran US diplomat added, “May he rest in peace and his family find solace in the warm embrace of his many friends and colleagues.”
Spain’s embassy in Baghdad expressed its “deepest condolences” to the “families and friends of all the victims of the tragic traffic accident that took place near Basra,” and wished “a speedy recovery for all those injured” in the incident.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Jalal, Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in Erbil, expressed his “deepest condolences on the tragic passing” of Aziz, and sent “thoughts and prayers” to his “family, friends, and the entire Rudaw team.”
“We wish them strength, courage, and comfort as they mourn,” Jalal added.
From their side, the Democratic Youth Community of Europe, a center-right European organization for youth, hailed Halkawt as a “distinguished reporter” who served with “professionalism, courage, and commitment to informing the public” while affirming their sympathy and solidarity for the tragic loss.
“May he rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire future generations of journalists,” their statement read.
For its part, the Democratic Youth Community of Europe (DEMYC) extended “its deepest condolences to the Management, staff, and journalists of Rudaw Media Network” on the passing of Aziz.
“We are deeply saddened by this great loss,” the Brussels-based organization said, hailing the deceased as a “distinguished journalist,” who had “dedicated his career to journalism with professionalism, courage, and a commitment to informing the public.”
“His contributions to the media landscape in the Kurdistan Region and beyond will be remembered with great respect,” DEMYC noted, expressing “solidarity
with his family, friends, colleagues, and everyone at Rudaw Media Network.”
“We sincerely hope they find strength and comfort in the memories of his remarkable life and service.”
Media
Azad Hamadamin, head of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate, lamented “the sudden passing of the prominent, patriotic, professional, and fearless journalist Halkawt Aziz,” describing the loss as “a great tragedy for Kurdistan media.”
“On behalf of myself, the council, and all members of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate, we extend our condolences” to Aziz’s family, friends and colleagues, he said.
For its part, the Sulaimani-based Metro Center for Journalists Rights and Advocacy described the passing of Aziz as “one of the painful aspects of our work,” noting that it comes when “we hear news of the death of active journalists who are energetic and have influential voices.”
“With the untimely passing of Halkawt, Kurdish journalism has lost another capable journalist, and it has become a deep pain in all of our hearts,” the Center said, adding that “the greatest legacy a journalist leaves behind is the truth he worked for and revealed.”
Meanwhile, media outlets in the Kurdistan Region - namely Ava TV, Channel8, Gali Kurdistan, Kurdistan24, Payam TV, and al-Hadath Iraq, among others - also paid tribute to Aziz, honoring his contributions.
For its part, the Board of Trustees of the state-run Iraqi Media Network (IMN) stated: “With great sadness and sorrow, we received the news of the passing of journalist Halkawt Aziz,” praying that God grant “his family, relatives, and loved ones patience and solace, and strengthen their hearts in this painful loss.”
