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
With world's eyes on Gaza, Turkey attacks Syria's Kurds again As of the beginning of 2023, at least 32 civilians have died in Turkish attacks in northeast Syria, including seven women and five children, according to local monitoring organizations. Syria
Iran-backed militias test new front with Washington’s Syrian Kurdish allies A US base in northeast Syria has been attacked twice so far by rockets launched in the last month from within the country, and officials with the Syrian Defense Forces point to Iran-backed Shiite militias. Syria
Interview Syrian Kurdish commander: 'We don’t want to become battleground between US, Iran' Mazlum Kobane also revealed that the Iran-backed groups had begun to target SDF military positions. Mazlum Kobane SDF commander in chief
Iraqi FM says unless US stops Israel, conflict in Gaza will 'burn all of us' Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein worries that the conflict in Gaza will drag on and expand beyond Israel’s borders. Iraq
Syrian Kurds accuse Turkey of war crimes as Erdogan vows escalation Syria’s Kurds say Turkish forces are committing war crimes as Erdogan escalates against the US-Allied Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkey
Turkey expands strikes as Fidan, Blinken discuss deconfliction, 'terrorist threats' The US readout of a call between the top US and Turkish diplomats stressed the two countries share a common objective of defeating terror. Turkey
Turkey's Fidan declares all PKK, YPG facilities in Syria, Iraq 'legitimate targets' High-level and open threats by Turkey have ramped up fears of a fresh escalation in northern Syria between Turkish forces and Syrian Kurdish groups that Ankara deems terrorists. Turkey
Turkey expands crackdown, airstrikes against PKK as Erdogan lashes out at West The Turkish Defense Ministry said 16 new targets, including caves, bunkers and warehouses in the northern Iraqi regions of Metina, Hakurk, Gara, Qandil and Assos, were destroyed in the strikes. Turkey
US captures Islamic State official in Syria as fighting renews among allies The US military said it captured a senior IS official in Syria on Saturday, as renewed fighting Monday between Kurdish-led forces and Arab tribes in Deir Ezzor raised new questions as to the open-ended nature of the US mission. Syria
Iran demands Iraq disarm Kurdish opposition as deadline expires An agreement between Tehran and Baghdad stipulated that Iraqi authorities would disarm and relocate the Kurdish opposition groups along the Iranian border. Iran
A year since Mahsa Amini’s killing, Iran’s Kurds brace for renewed crackdown The Kurdish twist to Iran's grassroots civic uprising cutting across ethnic, sectarian and gender lines served the regime well in its crackdown. Iran
Explainer: Why Iraq's Kirkuk has reached brink of conflict Tensions flare up in Kirkuk ahead of provincial elections in December amid Arab and Turkmen fears of renewed Kurdish control of the oil-rich city. Turkey
