BEIRUT (AP) — The Syrian government has confirmed the detention of German journalist Eva Maria Michelmann, who has been missing for several months. The 36-year-old was last seen on January 18 in Raqqa, where she and her Kurdish-Turkish colleague, identified as Ahmed Polad, were allegedly detained by Syrian government forces amid the military operations against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported Michelmann's disappearance earlier this week and has since called for her release. According to Syria's Information Ministry, Michelmann and Polad were discovered during a raid conducted by Interior Ministry forces in Raqqa. This building had previously been utilized by the SDF as a "security headquarters."

In the statement released by the Information Ministry, it was noted that both journalists had "refused to disclose their true identities" and did not possess any official documentation that would verify their identities. Initially, they claimed they were engaged in humanitarian work and did not mention any journalistic activities, falsely asserting that they were working for the United Nations.

Following their initial questioning, the Ministry claimed that the two attempted to escape, leading to their detention on suspicions of being foreign fighters illegally present in Syria. The statement further indicated that both journalists are now formally detained, and legal proceedings have begun in preparation for their referral to the judicial authorities, although specific charges against them were not specified.

The CPJ revealed that both Michelmann and Polad were working for Istanbul-based Etkin News Agency (ETHA) and Özgür TV, which operates across several cities in Europe. Frank Jasenski, an attorney representing Michelmann and her family in Germany, expressed concern for her well-being, stating, "We assume that her health is very, very poor and we demand her immediate release."

Last week, the German Foreign Office confirmed that they had been in contact with the detained journalist but refrained from providing further details due to privacy regulations. The Syrian government forces took control of Raqqa from the SDF during an offensive in January. Subsequently, a ceasefire was reached, and an agreement was made for the integration of the SDF into the national army.

This ceasefire has reportedly held, and the integration process has been gradually progressing. Since the toppling of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Syria's new leadership has faced challenges in asserting full authority over a nation severely impacted by nearly 14 years of civil war.