Kurds

Renewal of anti-terror law threatens human rights in Iraqi Kurdistan

The Iraqi Kurdistan parliament has extended an austere law put in place to combat the Islamic State, raising serious concerns about human rights abuses and trials behind closed doors.

Iraq

Abadi, Maliki seek alliance with Iraq's Kurds

Nearly two months since Iraq's parliamentary election, the winning parties are still discussing an alliance to form the new government.

Iraq

Turkey’s Kurdish policies provoke backlash everywhere

The US-Turkish deal on Manbij sparks a Damascus opening to Syrian Kurds; Iran scolds Turkey on PKK operations in Syria; the HDP faces violence and an “uneven” playing field in elections; Iran is caught in the middle between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia

Kurdish rebels move to gain US support for operations against Iran

Buoyed by an apparent resurgence in interest in Kurdish rebel groups in Washington, Iranian Kurdish rebel leaders appear to be maneuvering to gain support from the United States as Washington moves to confront the Islamic Republic.

United States

Turkey takes on Kurds in evolving Qandil operation

Although Ankara seems determined to reach the PKK stronghold of Qandil in Iraq, it faces many obstacles to sustaining such an operation against Kurdish militants in the punishing mountain region.

Iraq

What's behind Turkish threats to invade PKK stronghold in Iraq?

Turkish leaders have raised the specter of a ground offensive on the Qandil Mountains in northern Iraq, home to the main camps of the PKK, but the motive and viability of such an operation remain questionable.

Iraq

Politicized peshmerga adds to Iraqi Kurdistan destabilization

There's long been talk of unifying the fractured peshmerga forces in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, but action is direly needed.

Iraq

Iraqi Kurds look to open new chapter with Iran

The Iraqi Kurdish leadership forges ahead with efforts to improve ties with Iran, both in hopes of reviving their economy and also to regain lost clout in Baghdad.

Iraq

Is Iraqi PM counting on Sunni, Kurdish votes for re-election?

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appears to be counting on Sunni and Kurdish votes to win the next election, with visits to traditional Kurdish and Sunni strongholds.

Iraq

Candidates' past ties to Saddam create uproar in Iraq's Kurdistan Region

Despite the Kurdistan Regional Government's strong rhetoric against Saddam Hussein and his collaborators, several Kurdish figures who worked with the former Iraqi president's Baath regime are participating in the upcoming elections.

Iraq

Iranian sculptor's desire for artistic freedom takes him across region

Iranian Kurdish sculptor Seywan Saeedian's life takes him across borders in a conflict-torn region, where artistic independence often comes at a steep price.

Turkey

Expect change in Iraq when embattled Kurds cast ballots

Iraqi Kurds have made it clear in recent protests that they will make their voices heard and their votes count.

Iraq