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
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.
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
Trump Warms to Syria Kurds Again, Alarming Russia and Turkey
Washington will step up its forces and expand the war on ISIS with the Kurds, who hope to win a seat at the negotiating table. Meanwhile, Russia’s efforts at ending the conflict have failed and Iran is watching closely
Analysis The Slaughter in Syria Still Goes On
Kurds who were in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria during Turkey’s military operation in October belie Ankara’s claims that it’s only fighting terrorists
Russia Warns Syria’s Kurds Against Relying on U.S. Support
Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday accused Syria’s Kurds of failing to abide by a Russia-Turkey deal that halted a Turkish offensive into Syria
U.S.-led Coalition Announces Joint Action With Syrian Kurds as Pence Pays Surprise Visit to Iraq
Vice president reiterates 'strong bonds forged in the fires of war between the people of the United States and the Kurdish people across this region'
Car Bomb Kills at Least 10 Near Syrian Border With Turkey
Four civilians from the same family were among those killed by the explosion, says Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
Kurds Could Start Oil Deliveries to Baghdad in 2020, Says Iraqi Minister
Deliveries should have begun under a deal agreed two years ago
Turkey Will Launch Another Syria Operation if Area Not Cleared of Kurdish YPG, FM Says
Mevlut Cavusoglu quoted in Turkish state-owned Anadolu agency saying the U.S. and Russia have yet to do what was required under a brokered agreement
These Kurdish Women Fought on the Frontlines Against ISIS. Now They’re the No. 1 Target in Syria
Female fighters symbolized the feminist revolution in the Kurdish enclave of Rojava. But since the Turkish invasion in October, they’re increasingly vulnerable to sexual violence on the frontline