Exclusive Ankara’s direct talks with Syrian Kurds began last year in Europe, continue in Turkey The talks are part of a sweeping effort to end Turkey’s decades-long war with the PKK and reshape Ankara’s relationship with Kurdish-led forces in Syria. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Exclusive US Syria envoy Barrack calls Kurdish SDF chief Kobane as Turkey mulls meeting Sources tell Al-Monitor that Turkish officials have proposed a high-level meeting with SDF commander Mazlum Kobane in Damascus, contingent on the outcome of ongoing talks with Syria’s interim government. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey unveils prison reform bill, but Kurds say it falls short The proposed changes would expand conditional release for some inmates but fail to meet demands of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party amid peace efforts. Turkey
EU sanctions Sunni factions accused of violence against Syria’s Alawites, Kurds As former rebel leaders take positions in the new Syrian government, Kurdish officials warn of renewed threats to their autonomy. Syria
Analysis Syria’s Kurds reap benefits of Erdogan’s 'terror free Turkey' as Ankara halts attacks By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran launches more attacks against Kurdish groups in Iraq Iran has continued to attack Kurdish areas of Iraq as protests intensify in Iran's Kurdish regions. Iran
Erdogan says Turkey's strikes in Syria, Iraq may lead to ground offensive As the dust settles from airstrikes on Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, Turkey is threatening a wider operation in the region. Turkey
Analysis Iran strikes Iraqi Kurdistan again, warns of possible ground operation Several areas of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq were targeted overnight after an IRGC commander warned of possible ground invasion and the Iranian ambassador set out demands. By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Turkey’s first national soccer game in Kurdish heartland hints at electioneering The match was set in Diyarbakir by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he faces a tough vote next year. Turkey
Iran renews assaults on Iraq’s Kurdistan Region Iran again bombed Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, targeting alleged headquarters of the Iranian-Kurdish opposition located in northern Iraq. Iraq
Kurdistan government in Iraq hopes digitalization will bring investment The Kurdistan Regional Government has made progress digitizing government services, but investors say more is needed to attract serious capital and spur startup growth. Iraq
Archive Upfront from Oct 17, 2022 Are Syria’s HTS jihadis Turkey’s new friends? After Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the jihadi faction that runs the northwestern province of Idlib, moved into Afrin, the question of where Turkey stands in this power grab is of critical importance. Turkey
Tehran strikes Kurdish opponents in Iraq as protests over Mahsa Amini’s death convulse Iran Iran ramps up its bombing campaign in northern Iraq in what Iraqi Kurds argue is an attempt to divert the world's attention from the killing of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini. Iraq
Turkish celebrities, including jailed Kurdish politician, cut hair for Mahsa Amini Women activists, celebrities and jailed Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas cut their hair in solidarity with Mahsa Amini, the Iranian Kurdish woman who died in detention by Iran’s morality police. Turkey
Syrian opposition launches program to teach Kurdish language in Aleppo Syrian Kurds in the areas of the Syrian opposition welcomed the decision to launch a program to teach the Kurdish language at the opposition-affiliated Free Aleppo University in the city of Azaz. Syria
US extends military support for Iraq’s Kurdistan Region The renewed agreement entails further steps to reform peshmerga forces as Pentagon aims to prepare Iraq’s forces for long-term self-sufficiency. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Deadly intra-Shiite violence rattles Iraq’s Kurds Kurds are "deeply troubled by the new cycle of violence in Iraq" and look to be peacemakers. Iraq
