Grenade attack on IRGC kills 2 in Iran’s Kurdistan province: What to know The deadly assault comes amid recurring tensions and clashes in Iran’s Kurdish-majority western region. Iran
Culture Turkey's women, LGBTQ artists top targets of Erdogan's drive for cultural hegemony From pop stars to performers, Turkey’s secular arts scene faces increasing pressure under Erdogan’s conservative push. Turkey
UK’s top spy uses farewell from Turkey to lure Russian recruits, sparks fury The outgoing MI6 chief called on Russians with "truths to share" to contact the agency, sparking diplomatic unease just days before Erdogan’s White House meeting. Turkey
Turkey’s spy chief in Damascus as Israel, Syria weigh new security map Ibrahim Kalin’s visit comes as Israel presses Syria on a buffer zone plan and Turkey frets over Kurdish autonomy. Turkey
Exclusive UK-based oil firm victim of standoff between Damascus, Syria’s Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Iraqi Kurdish factional feuds erupt anew with violent arrest of Lahur Talabani By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran executes three political prisoners, upholds more death verdicts Iran’s judiciary said death penalties against three political prisoners have been upheld while confirming that three other prisoners had been sent to the gallows. Iran
Intel: US CENTCOM commander meets with head of Syria’s Kurdish forces The head of Syria’s Kurdish-led militias said he met today with the top commander of US forces in the Middle East, Gen. Frank McKenzie, in northeast Syria. Syria
Complaints of torture on rise in Turkey's Kurdish southeast The Turkish government no longer sees the need to conceal torture, especially of Kurdish women in the southeast of the country. Turkey
Turkey sends coronavirus aid to Iraq Turkey delivers coronavirus aid to Iraq as it continues its operations against Kurdish groups in the country's northern semi-autonomous Kurdish region. Iraq
US troops 'secure' northeast Syria oil, as contamination from it imperils lives Dilapidated pipelines and oil waste coat polluted rivers and streams in Kurdish-run northeast Syria. Syria
US-backed Syrian Kurdish militia offers rare apology to rivals amid unity talks The apology is testament to the group's determination to see unity talks between the Kurdish National Council and the PYD through to a successful end. Syria
Iraq summons Turkey, Iran as operations against Kurdish groups continue Turkey cites past agreements for its operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party in Iraq, while Iran is also targeting Kurdish groups in the country. Iraq
Kurdistan Region parliament in Iraq closes after COVID-19 cases Some members and staff were found to have COVID-19 after tests as the virus spreads quickly throughout the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Facebook closes accounts linked to Kurdish intelligence in Iraq The accounts were linked to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and targeted its rival, the Kurdistan Democratic Party. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Syria’s Kurdish-led alliance sweeps Deir ez-Zor for Islamic State sleeper cells A Syrian Democratic Forces operation dubbed "Deterring Terrorism" nets 17 Islamic State suspects in Syria's Deir ez-Zor province. Syria
US, Russian troops square off in northeast Syria as Kremlin eyes wider footprint US-Russian standoff near Derik, Syria, blocks traffic for hours before Russians return to Qamishli. Syria
Intel: SDF commander reports progress on Kurdish reconciliation talks in Syria Mazlum Kobani, commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, announced Friday that the first stage of reconciliation talks with rival Kurdish National Council has “gone well” and that “the second phase has begun.” Syria
