Russia Sends Forces to Syrian Territory Facing Renewed Kurdish-Turkish Clashes
The deployment comes amid upcoming talks between Russia and Turkey and clashes this month between Turkish-backed fighters and Kurdish forces
Kurdistan
Kurdistan is a region straddling northern Iraq, Western Iran, eastern Turkey and parts of Syria and Armenia. Some 30 million Kurds inhabit the region, and have struggled for decades recognition, influence, and an independent nation-state.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq held a referendum for independence on September 25, 2017, which passed overwhelmingly in favor.
Israel was the lone regional voice supporting an independent Kurdistan, while the U.S., U.K. and Russia favored a unified Iraq as well. "A stable and unified Kurdish entity in the middle of this swamp, is not a bad idea," Netanyahu said in September. The prime minister added that while Israel sees the Kurdish guerillas PKK as a terrorist organization, "it supports the legitimate efforts of the Kurdish people to achieve their own state."
After the referendum, the Iraqi government led a military campaign to retake areas held by the Kurds, the city of Kirkuk becoming the initial flashpoint. After several military defeats the Kurds have largely backed down in their bid for independence and have yet to declare their own state.
Turkey Says It Killed 15 Kurdish Militants Preparing Attack in Northeast Syria
The so-called Peace Spring Operation offensive, which was widely condemned by Ankara's Western allies, was halted after striking deals with Russia and the United States
European Court Rules Turkey Must Free Prominent Kurdish Politician Demirtas
Former HDP chairman could be sentenced to up to 142 years in prison if convicted of being the leader of a terrorist organization over his actions during Turkey's 2014 protests
Erdogan Ally Calls for Turkey's pro-Kurdish Party to Be Banned
Although Turkish courts have banned pro-Kurdish parties in the past on charges of militant ties, moves supported by Erdogan's party have since made closing parties down more difficult
Analysis War Tore Their Country Apart. Now It's Sending Young Syrians to Fight in Foreign Battlefields
From Libya to Azerbaijan, Syrian mercenaries hired by Russia and Turkey as their homeland sinks into a political stalemate rife with unemployment and few prospects
The World Celebrated Kurdish Women’s Fight Against ISIS. Now It’s Silent as They’re Raped and Tortured
A recent UN report revealed an increase in sexual violence against women and girls since the Turkish military operation began in the Kurdish enclave a year ago. Some Kurds say their current lives are no better than when ISIS was running amok
Kurdish Official Says Thousands of Syrians to Leave Detention Camp for ISIS Families
Leaders administering Al-Hol cite overcrowding of the camp that houses nearly 65,000 people and inability to hold foreigners indefinitely, despite foreign governments hesitating to repatriate their citizens
Turkey Orders Arrests of 82, Including Kurdish Opposition, Over Kobani Protests
2014 protests in accused Turkish army of standing by as Islamic State besieged Kobani, just across the Syrian border
Analysis Kurdish Girl Soldiers: Heroines or Victims in Syria's Civil War?
They may be hailed as symbols of equality, but harsh reports from human rights groups say some young women are being forced into military service
Analysis Water Supply to This Small Syrian Town Is More Than Just Another Local Power Struggle
For Turkey, tensions over Syrian Kurdish town are part of a major diplomatic campaign, almost a war between great powers
Turkey Says Operations Against Kurdish Militants in Iraq to Continue, Urges Baghdad to Cooperate
Neighbors are at loggerheads over Turkey's recent decision to move deeper into Iraq to carry out operations against Kurdish fighters
Six Years On: Yazidi Survivors See 'Only Empty Promises' in Aftermath of ISIS Massacre
On the anniversary of the Sinjar massacre perpetrated by ISIS in Iraq, human rights advocates called on the international community to help survivors and rescue those still missing
Report: Blast in Market of North Syrian Border Town Kills Eight
The state news agency says the blast was caused by a car bomb while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims the explosion was caused by a motorcycle rigged with explosives
Analysis Russia Ramps Up Bid to Break Up U.S. Alliance With Syria's Kurds
Moscow promises to make the Kurds an integral part of the diplomatic process and partners in the Syrian government when the civil war ends, but the Kurds aren't biting
Analysis Bolton Reveals the Beautiful One-sided Friendship Between Trump and Erdogan
In new book, former U.S. national security adviser describes the chaos behind closed doors of the White House, and how Erdogan can take advantage of it ■ This offers important lesson for Israel’s decision makers
Kurdish Authorities in Syria Hope for U.S. Sanctions Exemption Amid Economic Woes
The U.S.'s toughest-ever sanctions targeting Assad aim to force him back to United Nations-led negotiations, but without exemptions, regional administrations worry of an increased 'economic siege'
Turkey Begins New Offensive Against Kurdish Rebels in North Iraq
The development came days after Turkey launched an air operation in the region
Pro-Kurdish Party Lawmakers Walk on Ankara to Protest Turkish Government Crackdown
Erdogan's government has arrested elected officials from the People’s Democratic Party, which it claims has links to the outlawed PKK
Turkish Jets Strike Kurdish Militant Targets in Northern Iraq
Turkey regularly targets Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants, both in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast and in northern Iraq, where the group is based
Gunmen Kill Three Iranian Border Guards Near Iraq Border, State Media Says
The area has seen occasional fighting between Iranian forces and Kurdish separatists, as well as militants linked to the extremist Islamic State group
Turkey Detains Four pro-Kurdish Mayors in Addition to 38 Over Suspected Links to Armed Attack
The mayors are being accused of links to the outlawed PKK and were removed from office and replaced with government-appointed trustees
Analysis Iraq's New Prime Minister Is Washington’s Latest Test in the Middle East
Al-Kadhimi brings the promise of a democratic Iraq, but he must maintain the fragile balance of relations with both Iran and the United States to keep the country stable
Analysis As Armies Reassess Risk, Coronavirus Is Making Peace in the Middle East
The virus could hasten the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, while Turkish-Syrian clashes in Idlib subside. But some refugees have no means to tackle pandemic, not even running water
Did Neanderthals Ritually Bury Their Dead? New Evidence Found in Iraq
Discoveries at 'Paleolithic cemetery' in Shanidar Cave tilt towards mortuary rites among Neanderthals, and loving care of the sick as well
Analysis ‘Million-man’ Protests Threaten New Havoc in Iraq
Even if there are no new fatalities on Saturday, the protests will undoubtedly continue to exert a great influence over the plight of a country unable to form a widely accepted government
U.S. Halts Secretive Drone Program With Turkey Over Syria Incursion
Drone flights within the program, in place since 2007, often targeted Kurdish militants and zeroed in on mountainous territory in northern Iraq
Analysis The Kurdish Economy Is Tottering, but at Least They Can Still Afford Fireworks
Iraqi Kurdistan is stuck between a deadlock in Baghdad and a ballooning debt – but restaurants and hotels are packed and New Year’s celebrations were nothing less than spectacular
Turkish, Syrian Intelligence Chiefs Hold Rare Meeting in Moscow
This is the first confirmed high-level meeting between the two countries, with potential joint action against YPG reportedly on the agenda
Analysis In Syria, Russia and Iran Watch as New Players Step Into the Arena
While Saudi Arabia seeks a foothold in the oil-rich region, Assad says he has offered China investment opportunities in his country – where Russia, Iran and Turkey already operate
Inside the Unlikely, Unofficial Ties Between Israel and the Kurds
Israel has been a strategic supporter of the Kurds for many decades, even speaking out on the ethnic group’s behalf after the recent Turkish incursion into Syria. Now, though, some Kurds are saying actions speak louder than words