Turkish-Kurdish conflict

US soldiers patrol in Syria's northeastern city Qamishli, in the Hasakeh province, mostly controlled by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, on January 9, 2025. (AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

US' Syria pullout continues amid looming Iran clash

The Trump administration is taking advantage of a rare moment of quiet following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in hope of disentangling the US military from nearly a decade of involvement in Syria.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

US special envoy for Syria, the ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a flag-raising ceremony at the US ambassador's residence in Damascus on May 29, 2025 for the first time since 2011. Barrack's visit to Syria marks a new step in the rapprochement between the two countries following the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad. (Photo by Rami al SAYED / AFP) (Photo by RAMI AL SAYED/AFP via Getty Images)

US envoy Barrack in Israel after cross-border shelling with Syria: What to know

US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack met Wednesday with Israeli officials in an effort to de-escalate ongoing tensions with Syria and Turkey.

Kurdish Syrians demonstrate in the Syrian eastern city of Qamishli to demand the release of the jailed founder of the Kurdistan Workers Party, Abdullah Ocalan, in Turkey, on May 29, 2025.

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.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

RAMI AL SAYED/AFP via Getty Images

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.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Turkey unveils prison reform bill, but Kurds say it falls short

Kurdish youths holds a poster of jailed PKK militant group leader Abdullah Ocalan during Newroz celebrations, on March 21, 2025, in Diyarbakir, Turkey.

EU sanctions Sunni factions accused of violence against Syria’s Alawites, Kurds

A handout picture from the Syrian state news agency SANA showing members of the security forces in Syria's coastal region

Turkey's Erdogan angles to retain power despite denying plans for third term

ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images

As Israel deconfliction talks proceed, Turkey and Syria discuss military ties during visits

OMAR ALBAW/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Fidan and Araghchi

Iran, Turkey summon diplomats as tensions soar over Syria, Kurds: What to know

Turkish and Iranian tensions have intensified after the top Turkish diplomat criticized Tehran's use of proxy forces in an interview with Al-Jazeera Arabic last week.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a joint press conference with Syria's Foreign Minister during a joint press conference, in Ankara on January 15, 2025. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

In rare rebuke of Iran, Turkey's Fidan calls its proxy strategy 'heavy burden'

The top Turkish diplomat criticized Iran's regional strategy and warned against aligning with Kurdish-led forces in Syria.

Kurdish men holds up a flag with a picture of the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan during Newroz celebrations, on March 21, 2015, in Diyarbakir, Turkey

PKK leader Ocalan set to make historic peace call between Turkey and the Kurds

A delegation is expected to relay the militant leader's statement on Thursday, Al-Monitor has learned.

AFP via Getty Images

One Turkish soldier, 17 PKK militants killed in northern Iraq clashes

The killing of the Turkish soldier comes ahead of militant leader Abdullah Ocalan’s expected call to disarm the Kurdistan Workers Party.

Ocalan

Iraqi Kurds lend hand as PKK leader negotiates plan for peace with Turkey

Abdullah Ocalan is expected to urge his men to lay down their arms and end a more than 40-year insurgency against the Turkish state, capping talks launched in April last year between the rebel leader, PKK commanders and the Turkish government.

Sharaa Kobane

Analysis

Squeezed between Turkey and Sharaa, Syria's Kurds face stark choices

Syria’s Kurds risk losing autonomy amid Turkish opposition and uncertain US backing.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) aims a machine gun while lying prone during a joint military exercise with forces of the US-led "Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve" coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group in the countryside of the town of al-Malikiya (Derik in Kurdish) in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on Sept. 7, 2022.

Turkey escalates push to replace Kurds as top anti-ISIS force in Syria

Turkey is attempting to form a new coalition to combat ISIS remnants and replace the Pentagon-backed Kurdish forces in Syria.

ZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey, Syria draft road map to strengthen Syrian military: What we know

Ankara and Damascus are working on a plan for defense cooperation, according to a Turkish official, who added that Turkey's priority in Syria is the armed groups it deems a national security threat.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa shake hands during a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, on February 4, 2025.

Pomp over substance marks Sharaa's first trip to Turkey as Syria's president

While the Turkish president lauded the visit as "historic," little of substance was announced and neither leader made any mention of an alleged defense pact reported Tuesday by Reuters.

Ulas Tosun/Getty Images

Ocalan 'highly likely' to call for PKK disarmament: Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party

A much anticipated statement by jailed Kurdish militant Abdullah Ocalan will very likely include a call for the Kurdistan Workers Party to disarm, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish opposition party has said.

TOPSHOT - Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa performs the Umrah, or the minor pilgrimage, in Islam's holiest city of Mecca in western Saudi Arabia on February 3, 2025. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Erdogan to host Syria’s Sharaa on first Turkey visit, discuss security ties

The meeting between the Turkish president and Syria's new leader will focus on Syria's post-conflict reconstruction, economic recovery and security issues.

DEM Party co-chair Tuncer Bakirhan (C) walks with party members and attendees during a rally organized by the pro-Kurdish Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party

PKK leader airs cautious optimism after talks with Turkey's pro-Kurdish party

The Kurdish militant leader expressed hope for a peaceful solution to the country’s 40-year armed conflict after four-hour talks with the pro-Kurdish party.