Syrian state media reported that Thaer al-Ajlani, a journalist who worked for pro-government media, was killed on July 27, 2015 while covering clashes in Jobar, east of Damascus, between rebel groups and pro-government forces seeking to retake the area. Reports indicated that he died after being wounded by shrapnel from a mortar shell fired by rebel forces. Al-Ajlani was reportedly working for radio station Sham FM at the time of this death and had previously served as a correspondent for the Al-Watan newspaper.