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What the PKK's exit from Turkey means for the Middle East
In late October, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced the unilateral withdrawal of its fighters from Turkey to northern Iraq. The announcement came on the heels of PKK fighters symbolically burning weapons in northern Iraq in July.
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U.S. emphasizes on integrating Syrian Kurdistan’s political–military structure into government
Following the historic meeting between Syrian President Ahmed al-Shar’a and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, Tom Barrack, the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria, announced that both sides have agreed on a plan to integrate the political and military structures of Syrian Kurdistan into the new government in Damascus—a move he described as a decisive step toward national unity and Syria’s reconstruction.
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Salih Muslim says integration of Kurdish forces into the Syrian army must not lead to dissolution or disarmament
Salih Muslim, a senior official of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), warned of the consequences of a proposed plan to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian army, stressing that without firm guarantees the process could result in the “dissolution of the SDF,” weaken security in northeast Syria, and allow Damascus to impose conditions with U.S. backing.
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Nechirvan Barzani's Million+ Vote Challenge: The Triumph of a Visionary Leadership / Bakhtiar Sajadi*
In the vibrant tapestry of Middle Eastern politics, few moments resonate as profoundly as the announcement of electoral victories that not only affirm a party's dominance but also underscore the enduring vision of its architects.
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Ahmad al-Shar’a in Washington: Do Syria’s Kurds have a place in the country’s new political equation?
Syrian President Ahmad al-Shar’a’s first official visit to Washington — which included talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump — has sparked growing debate over the future of Syria’s Kurds and their place in a potential new political framework. Analysts say Washington is attempting to strike a delicate balance between maintaining support for Kurdish forces and opening a new chapter of cooperation with the Damascus government.
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Turkish FM Hakan Fidan warns of Syria’s potential fragmentation if crises Are mismanaged
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned that Syria faces the risk of fragmentation and collapse if its ongoing crises are not managed responsibly, following a series of high-level meetings with U.S. and Syrian officials in Washington.
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Unofficial results of Iraq parliamentary elections in Kurdistan Region
According to unofficial results from Iraq’s parliamentary elections, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have secured the largest number of seats in the Kurdistan Region, though results vary across provinces.
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Kurdish opposition leaders express cautious optimism as Iraq holds parliamentary vote
Kurdish opposition leaders voiced cautious optimism on Tuesday as Iraqis headed to the polls for the country’s legislative elections, emphasizing the need for transparency and public trust in the voting process.
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Kurdish film, Gorg Band being filmed in Iranian Kurdish villages
Filming has begun on “Gorg Band” (literally Wolf Trap), a new feature film written and directed by Adnan Zandi and produced by Shahram Maslakhi, in the villages of Haqe and Baye in the Iranian western province Kurdistan.
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KRG delegation to visit Baghdad about unpaid salaries after election: official
A delegation from Erbil will visit Baghdad after the November 11 parliamentary election to discuss unpaid civil servant salaries, a senior Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) official said on Saturday.
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Ahmad Shar’a arrives in Washington for meeting with Trump
Ahmad Shar’a, the President of the Syrian Interim Government, has arrived in Washington at the head of a delegation to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
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SDF commander Hemo warns Kurdish–Damascus negotiations near collapse
Negotiations between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the interim Syrian government led by Ahmad al-Shar’a are close to reaching a dead end, a senior Kurdish commander has warned, raising concerns over the possibility of renewed conflict in northeastern Syria.
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Flights resume as first passenger plane from Turkey lands in Sulaimani after 2.5-year ban
The first commercial flight from Turkey landed at Sulaimani International Airport on Sunday night, ending a two-and-a-half-year suspension imposed by Ankara.
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Ocalan calls for Kurdish–Turkish unity as key to resolving Kurdish issue
Abdullah Ocalan, imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has stated that the resolution of the Kurdish issue depends on Kurdish–Turkish unity and the full integration of Kurdish identity within the constitutional framework of the Republic of Turkey.
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Sipan Hemo warns: Syria has been divided into more than 40 regions
Sipan Hemo, the General Commander of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and a member of the General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), issued a severe warning to the Syrian interim government and stated: “Some people in the Syrian capital imagine that their country has been divided into four regions, but in reality Syria is divided into more than 40 areas, each with its own administration and military force.”
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Bahceli calls for the release of prominent Kurdish politician Demirtas
Devlet Bahceli, leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and kingmaker of the current peace process in Turkey has called for the release of prominent politician Selahattin Demirtas.
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Masoud Barzani warns against using salary cuts as “political weapon” in Kurdistan region
Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani warned that withholding salaries from employees in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region is being used as a “political weapon,” calling the practice “no less dangerous than the Anfal and chemical campaigns” that targeted Kurds in the past.
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Saadi Pira: The KDP does not believe in genuine partnership
A member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s (PUK) Political Bureau criticized the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), saying the party does not believe in real partnership and has no desire to reach a serious agreement with the PUK.
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Pro-Kurdish party and Erdogan hold talks to advance PKK dissolution
Senior members of Turkey’s biggest pro-Kurdish political party met President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday in an attempt to advance the dissolution of the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
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Syrian government and SDF move toward military integration amid tensions and U.S. mediation
Peace talks between Syria and Kurdish fighters are picking up pace with a proposal to bring three militia units into the national army, The National has been told.
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Selahattin Demirtas criticizes peace efforts for ignoring reconciliation between Kurds and Turks
Selahattin Demirtas, the imprisoned former co-chair of Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish political party, has accused the government of neglecting social reconciliation in its ongoing peace efforts with Kurdish groups, saying no meaningful steps have been taken to restore “the feeling of brotherhood” between Kurds and Turks.
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PUK Leader Talabani says they will not join 'weak Kurdish government'
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani declared that his party will not join the next cabinet of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) unless there is a clear guarantee it will govern and serve all areas of the Kurdistan Region equally.
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PKK to take 'historic step' today in peace process with Turkey
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) will take a "historic step” on Sunday in the ongoing peace process with Turkey, according to media affiliated with the party.
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Baghdad offered to pay Sulaimani salaries separately but we refused: Bafel Talabani
Bafel Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), revealed that Baghdad proposed to pay the salaries of Sulaimani and its surroundings separately, but the PUK rejected the offer.
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U.S.-led coalition expands military presence in Syria with new border base
Reports indicate increased movements and large-scale deliveries of military and logistical equipment by the U.S.-led international coalition to northern and eastern Syria.
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Veteran Kurdish politician Ahmet Turk acquitted of terrorism charges that led to his removal as mayor
Prominent Kurdish politician Ahmet Turk, a former co-mayor of Mardin in southeastern Turkey from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), has been acquitted of terrorism-related charges that were used to justify his removal from office last year, the Mezopotamya news agency reported.
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Nechirvan Barzani says post-election challenge is enforcing Iraq’s constitution
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani stressed on Thursday that the real challenge following Iraq’s November 11 parliamentary elections will be enforcing the constitution.
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France President Macron says will visit Iraq this year
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday revealed his plans to visit Iraq this year, while hailing ongoing talks between new Damascus authorities, and the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria, during a news conference in Brussels.