kurdpress

Widespread US Media Coverage of the Hacking of US Military Websites by Kurds

World Service – The hacking of several US military websites—featuring messages supporting Kurdistan and insulting Donald Trump—has received extensive coverage in the US media. Major outlets such as Cyberscoop, The Daily Beast, TechRadar Pro, Daily Kos, and Raw Story have analyzed the attack from technical, security, and political perspectives, viewing it as more than mere cyber-vandalism; rather, they see it as a reflection of the dissatisfaction felt by some Kurdish supporters regarding Washington's shift in policy on the Kurdish issue.

Bakhtiar Sadjadi, University Professor and Socio-cultural Commentator :

Another Golden Chapter in Kurdish Diplomacy; Italy Glorifies President Nechirvan Barzani with Its Highest Honour

There are ceremonies that mark an occasion, and there are ceremonies that mark a historic moment; what happened in Erbil on 8 July was unmistakably the latter. Italy conferred its highest state distinction, the Grand Cross Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy, on Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, an honour presented by Ambassador Niccolò Fontana on behalf of the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella. It capped, in a single gesture, more than two decades of quietly accumulating ties between Erbil and Rome. The awarding of this highly precious medal landed at a moment when Kurdistan's political institutions could use precisely this kind of reassurance from international scenes.

Hoshyar Zebari:

All Kurdistan Region parties have concluded that Baghdad is our strategic depth

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Desk – Hoshyar Zebari, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Politburo, announced that he has been tasked by his party with overseeing all its political and governmental affairs in Baghdad. He emphasized that all parties in the Kurdistan Region have reached the conclusion that Baghdad constitutes the Region's "strategic depth."

Ahmad al-Sharaa Arrives in Ankara to Attend NATO Summit and Meet International Officials

Syria Desk – Ahmad al-Sharaa, head of the Syrian Interim Government, arrived in Ankara on Wednesday to attend the NATO summit and hold meetings with a number of international leaders and officials, including Donald Trump.

$3 Million and 700 Million Dinars Discovered at the Home of Another Iraqi Official

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Desk – Iraqi media reported that security forces, continuing operations to pursue corruption suspects and recover state assets, discovered and seized $3 million and 700 million Iraqi dinars during a search of the home of an official from the Baiji refinery.

Ilham Ahmed:

Democratic Integration in Syria Cannot Be Achieved Without Guaranteeing the Rights of Kurds and Women

Syria Service – Ilham Ahmed, Co-chair of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Autonomous Administration, emphasized the ongoing process of integrating military forces and Autonomous Administration institutions into the Syrian structure. She stated that realizing a democratic system requires guaranteeing the rights of Kurds and women, recognizing mother-tongue education, and ensuring their genuine participation in decision-making structures; furthermore, the representation of Kurds and women must not be limited to mere tokenism or statistical inclusion.

Mustafa Karasu:

Being Kurdish Remains Illegal in Turkey

Turkey Desk – Mustafa Karasu, a member of the KCK Executive Council, criticized the lack of clarity regarding the drafting of the "framework law" and the absence of meetings with Abdullah Öcalan since May. He stated that resolving the Kurdish issue cannot be achieved solely through disarmament or the withdrawal of forces; rather, the existence of the Kurds must be legally and constitutionally recognized.

Revisiting the British Bombing of Iraqi Kurdistan a Century Ago

World News Desk – A 48-minute documentary by Britain’s Channel 4, drawing on historical documents and eyewitness accounts, sheds light on a policy in which London—following World War I and despite promises of independence to the Kurds—deployed the Royal Air Force to bomb Kurdish-inhabited areas and suppress Kurdish uprisings in order to safeguard its interests in Iraq.

Foreign Ministry Statement on Last Night's US Attacks

In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry responded to the US attacks on southern Iran carried out last night, describing them as a flagrant violation of Clause 1 of the Memorandum of Understanding on ending the war, which mandates the cessation of military operations.

Iran’s Initial Response to US Aggression:

Targeting 85 Key US Military Sites

Iran Desk – In a statement addressing recent acts of aggression by the US regime, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the initial response to this aggression involved targeting 85 key US military sites.

Macron Runs Along Iran Street

Turkey Desk – The French President, who has traveled to Ankara to attend the NATO summit, went for a morning run on Wednesday—prior to the start of official engagements—traversing Iran Street and continuing his workout in Seğmenler Park.

Keskin Bayındır:

We Need a Social Contract to Build a Free Country

Turkey Desk – During the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) public meetings in Gaziantep, the party's co-chair emphasized the necessity of formulating a "social contract," stating that achieving lasting peace and gaining recognition for diverse identities and beliefs requires a democratic social agreement.

Erdogan:

I Hope for a Positive Decision on F-35 Fighter Jets at the NATO Summit

Turkey Service – Following a meeting with Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope for a resolution to the F-35 fighter jet issue, stating that he expects a positive decision to be reached at the NATO summit. Trump also indicated that there is a possibility of lifting CAATSA sanctions against Turkey and that the matter of F-35 sales would be reviewed.

Second Day of NATO Summit in Ankara

Turkey Desk – The second day of the 36th NATO summit in Ankara began with a meeting of the North Atlantic Council. Concurrently, the NATO Secretary General and a number of member-state leaders emphasized the necessity of bolstering defense capabilities, increasing military investment, and strengthening the alliance's cohesion.

PKK Member Released After 30 Years in Prison: "We Still Believe in Peace"

Turkey Desk – Besiye Ozer, an ailing political prisoner, was released from Gebze Women's Prison after serving a 30-year sentence and was met with a warm welcome from her family, activists, and citizens in Diyarbakir. In her first remarks following her release, she expressed her wish to have been freed alongside all other political prisoners and emphasized, "Our belief in the peace process remains strong."

The Role of Kurdish Women in Syria’s New Army

World News Desk – Women who fought on the front lines in the battles of Kobani and Raqqa—and against ISIS—now have no place in the new army of post-Assad Syria. While thousands of male Kurdish fighters have been integrated into Damascus's military structure, the future of Syria's female Kurdish forces remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Murat Karayılan:

The Turkish government must not categorize PKK forces into "criminals" and "non-criminals."

Turkey Desk – Senior PKK commander Murat Karayılan rejected the classification of guerrilla forces into "criminals" and "non-criminals" and called for the establishment of a "Truth and Justice Commission," emphasizing that an impartial examination of all past violence is a prerequisite for advancing the peace process and resolving the Kurdish issue.

Macron and Al-Sharaa Emphasize Expanding Economic Cooperation

Syria Desk – During a meeting in Damascus with the head of the Syrian interim government, the French President emphasized the expansion of economic cooperation, the signing of joint agreements, and France's participation in Syria's reconstruction process. The two sides announced the expansion of cooperation in the energy, transport, infrastructure, and banking sectors, as well as the involvement of Persian Gulf states in joint projects.

What benefit does Macron's trip to Syria hold for the Kurds?

World Service – Contrary to the expectations of some Kurdish circles, Emmanuel Macron's visit to Damascus is unlikely to mark a turning point in French support for Syrian Kurds. An analysis by *National Context* indicates that diminishing Western influence, Turkey's prominent role, and shifting European priorities have tied Paris's hands regarding practical support for the Kurds.

People's Front:

Lahur Talabani’s Case Remains Unresolved After 11 Months

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – Several leaders of the People's Front have criticized the handling of the case involving Lahur Talabani and his associates, stating that eleven months after their detention, the proceedings remain stalled and subject to political infighting and partisan influence.

Another 25 Billion Dinars Discovered in Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister's Corruption Case

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Desk – The Iraqi judiciary has announced that the total cash seized so far in the corruption case involving Adnan al-Jumaili, the Deputy Oil Minister, amounts to 127 billion Iraqi dinars and 24 million US dollars.

Damascus Explosions Coincide with Macron’s Visit; Security Measures Tightened

Syria Desk – At least two explosions in central Damascus, occurring simultaneously with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Syria, led to a tightening of security measures in the capital; however, his meeting with Ahmad al-Sharaa proceeded as scheduled.

French President Arrives in Damascus

Syria Desk – Emmanuel Macron arrived in Damascus—marking the first visit by a French president to Syria since 2008—and was welcomed by the Syrian Foreign Minister.

Kurdistan Region Reaffirms Commitment to Iraq-Iran Security Agreement

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Desk – A security delegation from the Kurdistan Region, led by Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed, met in Baghdad with Qasim Aboudi, Iraq’s new National Security Advisor. They discussed the implementation mechanism for the security agreement between Iraq and Iran—an agreement under which Iranian Kurdish opposition parties were relocated from their camps within the Region.

Dohuk Christians Stage Protest Against Seizure of Their Lands and Properties

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – A group of Christian citizens in Dohuk Province held a protest rally outside the governor's office to object to the ongoing seizure of lands and properties belonging to Christians, calling on the governor to take immediate action to put an end to this practice.

Kurdish Hackers Attack US Army Websites

World News Desk – The specialized publication *CyberScoop* reported that two US Army web subsystems were targeted in a cyberattack, resulting in the posting of content directed against Donald Trump and Tom Barrack.

Politico:

The Kurdish Issue Has Dropped Off NATO’s Agenda

World Service – Citing NATO diplomats, Politico reports that following the PKK disarmament process, the Kurdish issue—which for years had been a point of contention between Turkey and some of its allies—is now rarely raised at the alliance's meetings.

Iraq’s Anti-Corruption Body:

59 Corruption Suspects Arrested in One Month

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – Iraq’s federal anti-corruption agency released its performance report for June, announcing that 59 corruption suspects were arrested and documents related to dozens of cases were seized during 157 inspection and investigative operations across various provinces.

Editor-in-Chief of "Azadiya Welat" Detained

Turkey Desk – Berfin Ay, Editor-in-Chief of "Azadiya Welat," has been detained by Turkish security forces in Şırnak province.

Protest march in Istanbul:

Turkey must immediately withdraw from NATO

Turkey Desk – The "No to NATO" coalition held a protest march in Istanbul to condemn the NATO summit in Ankara and the detention of activists prior to the event; calling for Turkey's immediate withdrawal from the alliance, the group demanded the closure of all NATO military bases in the country.