Libya: ISIS sniper shoots dead Dutch journalist

Photo for representational purpose

A spokesperson for the Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous military operation has confirmed that a Dutch journalist was shot and killed by an ISIS sniper in Sirte, Libya.

The spokesperson announced that freelance photojournalist Jeroen Oerlemans was shot in the chest and died immediately, CNN reports.

In 2012, Oerlemans was kidnapped in Syria by militants, but released after a week.

The Netherlands’ ambassador to Libya, Eric Strating, saluted Oerlemans’ work when tweeting condolences.

The Committee to Protect Journalists observed that Oerlemans’ death marked at least the 10th journalist, killed in the Libyan conflict which began in 2011.

“Journalists have recently begun returning in greater numbers to Libya to cover the conflict and political upheaval but it remains an extraordinarily dangerous place. The death of Jeroen Oerlemans is a reminder that those who bring us images and video from the front lines often pay the heaviest price.” said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney.