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
Reports: Children among the dead after Syrian rebels clash in Turkish-held Afrin Clashes between Syrian rebel groups in the northern city of Afrin left at least two children dead Thursday. Syria
Kirkuk tribesmen rally as IS launch new wave of attacks As Islamic State sleeper cells continue to carry out attacks south and west of oil-rich Kirkuk, local tribesmen made efforts to show unity while other factions showed off "resistance" to the United States and Israel. Iraq
Criticism mounts in Iraqi Kurdistan over unpaid teacher salaries Teachers say the Kurdish government is not paying on time and want their salaries to come from Baghdad, but Kurdish authorities point to a budget dispute with the federal government. Iraq
PKK attacks Turkish military base in Kurdistan Region of Iraq The attack comes amid intra-Kurdish tensions in Iraq over the PKK's and Turkey's presence in the country. Iraq
Press freedom watchdog criticizes suspension of Kurdish reporter in northeast Syria Rudaw's Vivian Fatah was suspended because she did not describe Kurdish fighters who had been killed in Syria as martyrs. Iraq
IRGC soldiers killed in Kurdish area of Iran Iranian media reported that unknown gunmen killed three IRGC soldiers in Iran's Kurdistan province. Iraq
Islamic State prison riot underscores fragile security in northeast Syria The issue of what to do with Islamic State prisoners in northeast Syria continues to be a nagging problem. Syria
Syrian Kurdish parties resume talks, in secret Rival Kurdish parties in northeastern Syria have began US-sponsored reconciliation talks after repeated delays in the past and in the hope of joining the UN-sponsored peace process to resolve the Syrian conflict. Syria
Turkey seeks to exploit claims to Iraqi Kurdish village A small village in Iraqi Kurdistan has become a flashpoint for tensions between the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party and its rival, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, with the PKK also entering the dispute. Iraq
Iraq summons Turkish ambassador over deadly PKK airstrikes The Turkish military launched two airstrikes on Iraqi territory, prompting a rebuke from the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. Iraq
Iraq condemns Turkish strikes against PKK in Kurdistan region Ankara claims it killed four PKK members in a Qandil mountains airstrike in Iraq northeast of Erbil, but Kurds report only physical damage there; Baghdad says Turkey did kill three civilians in Makhmour, to the southwest of Erbil. Iraq
Syrian Kurds designate graves for those who die abroad To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Kurdish-led autonomous administration in Syria is burying any residents who die abroad in designated graves near border crossings. Syria
