Exclusive US troops in Syria's Kurdish northeast will remain in single base near Rmeilan oil fields The consolidation comes as tensions rise between Iran and Israel, heightening risks for remaining US forces. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
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
Feuding Syrian Kurdish political blocs dance around rapprochement As French and US initiatives for intra-Kurdish rapprochement in Syria stall, it seems that piecemeal defections from the Kurdish National Council to the Kurdish autonomous administration in the north of the country are the rule of the day. Syria
Syria’s Kurds feel brunt of Turkish-US crisis Turkey is sending military reinforcements to its border with Syria after two missiles were recently launched from Syria toward a border city, portending an imminent Turkish offensive in the area. Syria
Kurdish cities in Syria witness bloody week The Kurdish region in northern Syria has witnessed several explosions in the past month, with one of them targeting a church. Syria
Kurdish officials in Iraq await fallout from Turkish diplomat's death Iraqi Kurdistan authorities are concerned about the potential political, economic and security impacts of the recent killing of a Turkish diplomat in Erbil. Iraq
Former government spokesman tapped as KRG foreign relations head A diplomat loyal to the Barzani family has been chosen as head of the KRG's Department of Foreign Relations. Iraq
Kurds gain support, perhaps invitation to Syrian talks There appear to be serious attempts to include the Kurds in the negotiations aimed at resolving the Syrian crisis. Syria
Syrian Kurdistan focus of foreign diplomatic attention The United States, Britain, France and Saudi Arabia are seeing eye to eye on proposals to secure northeastern Syria. Syria
Tehran courts Kurds as Washington amps up rhetoric against Iran Iranian Kurdish opposition groups and Iran are conducting talks in Oslo, in what some see as an Iranian bid to safeguard against Kurdish collaboration with the United States. Iraqi-Kurdistan
US wants Kurdish groups to reconcile in eastern Syria In an interview with Al-Monitor, Abdul Karim Mohammed of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Syria talked about the US initiative to bring disputing Kurdish parties in eastern Syria closer together, with the ultimate goal of preventing the return of the Islamic State. Syria
Iran shells Iraqi Kurdistan Region Iran follows Turkey in bombarding civilians in border areas of Iraq's Kurdistan Region. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Iraqi Kurdistan Cabinet finally sees daylight after 9 months The new prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government has a Cabinet now, with all but one ministerial position filled. Iraq
Kirkuk court issues arrest warrant for acting governor An integrity court in Kirkuk has issued an arrest warrant for Rakan Saeed al-Jabouri, the acting governor of Kirkuk, on financial corruption charges. Iraq
