The Association of Syrian Journalists, an organization that monitors and documents violations against journalists and media activists in Syria, said that two media activists were killed in July 2014, bringing the number of journalists and media activists killed so far in Syria to 246 since March 2011. The Association also said it had documented another violations against media activists, including kidnappings by the Asaish militiamen, a group affiliated with the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). The same period covered by the report saw various violations against media activists and journalists in rebel-held areas, which prompted the Association to “call on all battalions and armed in these areas to respect the freedom of the media work and work to ensure the safety of media workers and holding accountable all those involved in the violations. (Source: Syrian Journalists Association + Syrian Coalition)