Syrian Kurds to Remove Fortification From Border With Turkey
The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces announced last week that it has begun withdrawing forces from border towns as part of a 'safe zone' deal with U.S. and Turkey
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.
3 Turkish Soldiers Killed in Northern Iraq
Turkey launched the 'Claw' operation in May into mountainous northern Iraq against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK
Pentagon: U.S. Will Prevent Turkey Incursion Into Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened an imminent attack in the northeast to push back U.S.-allied Syrian Kurdish Forces
WATCH Erdogan to Launch Incursion Into Kurdish-controlled Northern Syria
Turkey had in the past warned of carrying out military operations east of the river, but put them on hold after agreeing with the United States to create a safe zone
Turkish Diplomat, Civilian Shot Dead in Iraqi Kurdish Capital; Gunman Flees
Security forces launch manhunt after rare attack on a restaurant where Turkish envoys meet, risking raising tensions between Kurdish groups and Ankara
Turkey Says Killed 10 Kurdish Militants in Syria's Tel Rifaat Region
The United Nations warned on Monday that up to 2 million refugees could flee to Turkey if fighting intensifies in northwestern Syria as aid funds run dangerously low
43 Kurdish Militants 'Neutralized' in Northern Iraq Operation, Turkey Says
Turkey's defense ministry says it will continue the offensive against the PKK militant group until 'the last terrorist is neutralized'
Iraq Kurdish Region Gets New President, Opposition Boycotts
Former prime minister Nechirvan Barzani will follow his uncle Masoud Barzani in office
Turkey Launches Military Operation in Northern Iraq Against Kurds
Video published by the ministry defense showed helicopters landing commandos on mountainous terrain
Analysis Desperate to Reclaim Istanbul, Erdogan Does the Unthinkable
Erdogan, who is trying to stick a wedge between the Kurdish voters and the Republican People’s Party, is taking advantage of Kurdish anger over Ekrem Imamoglu’s neglect to demand the release of 'arch-terrorist' Abdullah Ocalan
Safeguarding Books and Reopening Schools: Syrian Kurds Fight to Treasure Their Traditions
For eight years, a generation has grown up not only learning Kurdish but also believing that Kurds deserve rights
From Kobani to Kirkuk: The Kurdish Struggle for Rights and Land
Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran have large Kurdish minorities seeking varying degrees of autonomy from central governments after decades of repression
Turkey-backed Syrian Rebels Attack Kurdish-held Area, Repelled by 'Heavy Shelling'
The operation marked an escalation on one of the most complicated theatres of the multi-sided Syrian war
Pro-Kurdish Lawmaker Injured as Turkish Police Disperse Election Protest
Last week, the Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) said it was being targeted in an 'organised political plot'
Damascus Threatens Kurds With Military Defeat, Iran Demands U.S. Leave Syria
The Iranian and Syrian military chiefs were speaking after a meeting in Damascus that also included their Iraqi counterpart
Explained Syria's Kurds Defeated ISIS and Were Abandoned by Trump. Now They Must Look to Russia
Syria's Kurdish leaders hope for a political deal that would safeguard their autonomy and shield their region from Turkish attack
WATCH Dramatic Footage of Firefight Between Syrian Kurds and ISIS Caught on Tape
The footage shows fighters firing machine guns at ISIS-controlled territory as a large explosion took place and fires were burning in distance
Opinion For Turkey, All Kurds Are Terrorists
Turkey's hatred of the Kurds means we have been shut out of international efforts to find a political resolution to the conflict in Syria
Yazidis Reunite With Family in Iraq After Five Years of ISIS Captivity
The women and children are among thousands of civilians who emerged in the past few days from the last speck of territory held by Islamic State
Fear for Civilian Lives Slows Effort to Recapture Last ISIS Stronghold in Syria
Explaining his group's plan to continue evacuating civilians from final ISIS stronghold, a spokesperson for the U.S-backed Syrian Democratic Forces vowed not to end 'moral victory over Daesh with a massacre.'
Kurds Welcome U.S. Plan to Keep Peacekeeping Force in Syria
Poised to complete civilian evacuation of last ISIS stronghold, Kurdish forces say even small American presence will stabilize turbulent region
Between Erdogan and the Ayatollahs, These Women Lead the Kurdish Battle for Freedom
On the 40th anniversary of the Islamic revolution, leaders of the insurgency outline vision of 'radical decentralization'
Amid Battle, Thousands of Civilians Trapped in Islamic State's Last Remaining Pocket in Syria
'There are fears over the lives of thousands who are stranded,' head of Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says
U.S.-backed Forces Launch Final Battle to Defeat Islamic State in Syria
Offensive begins after more than 20,000 civilians evacuated from last pocket the terror group holds in the east of the war-torn country
U.S.-backed Syrian Fighters Capture Three ISIS Militants, Including German National
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces says it also captured a Saudi Arabian and an Egyptian
Islamic State Targets U.S. Convoy in Northeast Syria
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the blast targeted a convoy of the U.S.-led coalition and U.S.-backed Kurdish-led fighters
Turkey-backed Rebels Await 'Zero Hour' to Attack Syrian Kurds in Manbij
The YPG fear the U.S. withdrawal will open the way for a threatened Turkish attack into northern Syria, including Manbij
Trump Threatens to 'Devastate Turkey Economically if They Hit Kurds'
Erdogan's spokesman fires back: 'Terrorists can't be your partners and allies'
'Ridiculous Delay' Turkey Issues Ultimatum to Trump: Pull Out of Syria or We Strike
Washington has repeatedly said its Kurdish allies will remain safe despite the withdrawal
Pompeo Seeks to Reassure Kurds on Syria Pullout in Surprise Iraq Visit
'It's important that we do everything we can to ensure that those folks that fought with us are protected,' secretary of state says in Iraqi Kurdistan, amid Turkish threats