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
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 ‘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
Car Bomb Kills at Least 18 in Syrian Town Held by Turkey
Groups give differing casualty counts after explosion in al-Bab, with Turkey placing blame on Kurdish YPG
Assad Forces Deploy in Areas Close to Syria's Border With Turkey
The deployment is part of a deal reached between Russia and Turkey in October
WATCH Nikki Haley: The U.S. Should Always Have the Backs of Our Kurdish Allies
Former UN ambassador says Kurds lost a lot of blood in 'our fight' and troops should be kept for prevention
Twitter Accounts Push Stock Photos Claiming to Show Turkish Soldiers Helping Syrians
Dozens of images showing soldiers holding babies and helping the elderly have been shared in a misinformation campaign to portray the Turkish incursion in a positive light
Kurdish Leaders Tell EU: Get Tough With Turkey or Face Islamic State Fighters
Senior Kurdish leader also said the West should investigate Turkey's alleged use of chemical weapons against the Kurds
Analysis Rival Syrian Governments Lock Horns in a Bloodless but Ruthless Battle
A patchwork quilt of governments and organizations are running the show in northern Syria where Turkey has asserted itself against the Kurds, while Russian-backed constitution talks in Geneva are going nowhere fast
Israel Aiding Syria's Kurds, Deputy Foreign Minister Says
Tzipi Hotovely tells Knesset that Netanyahu's offer of assistance was accepted: 'We are assisting them through a number of channels'
Analysis Putin Wants to Save Syria's Jews — to Keep Trump From Coming Back
The Jews of Syria have become part of Russia's religious diplomacy, which partly aims to reassure American evangelicals and keep U.S. forces away
Turkey Threatens to Attack Kurdish Fighters Who Remain Near Syria Border
Turkey's foreign minister sets 3 P.M. deadline on Tuesday for Kurdish troops to move 30 km from the Turkish border
Turkey Will 'Cleanse' Syria Border if Russia Fails to Clear Kurdish Fighters, Erdogan Says
Under the Sochi agreement signed between Turkey and Russia, Syrian border guards are to clear YPG fighters from within 30 km of the Syria-Turkey border by Tuesday
U.S. to Leave Troops, Armored Vehicles to Guard Syria Oil Fields, Says Defense Chief
Trump has been softening his pullout plans from Syria after backlash from Congress
U.S. Must Extradite Syrian Kurdish Commander, Says Turkish Official
U.S. senators urged the State Department earlier this week to quickly provide a visa to General Mazloum Kobani so he can visit the U.S. to discuss Syria
Hundreds of Additional Russian Troops Arrive in Syria to Oversee Kurdish Withdrawal
The new Russian troops sent in — as American soldiers pull out — further underscore how the situation on the ground in Syria has dramatically changed with Turkey's invasion
WATCH Syrian Kurds, Turkey Exchange Fire, Accuse Each Other of Cease-fire Violations
U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. would lift sanctions against Turkey due to what he called a lasting cease-fire in northeastern Syria
Syria Offensive Deepening Sense of Alienation Among Turkey's Kurds
Hundreds have been detained over social media posts critical of the military offensive and mayors ousted in anti-terrorism investigations