kurdpress

Ocalan’s Status as Key Negotiator Must Be Recognized

Turkey Desk – The Conference of Democratic Kurdish Jurists in Diyarbakır concluded by issuing a final statement calling for the recognition of Abdullah Ocalan’s legal status within the "peace and democratic society" process. The statement emphasized that the process's success requires the drafting of a "framework law," the guarantee of Kurdish linguistic and cultural rights, an end to the policy of appointing state officials to replace elected mayors, and the implementation of transitional justice mechanisms.

Turkey Enters NATO Defense Market with "ADVENT" Combat System

Turkey Service – The "ADVENT" combat management system, developed using indigenous Turkish technology, has been exported to a NATO member country for the first time. The delivery of this system to the Romanian Navy marks a significant step in the entry of Turkey's defense industry into the market for military equipment among NATO member states.

DEM Party:

Turkey’s "Dungeons" Must Be Shut Down Immediately

Turkey Desk – The Law and Human Rights Commission of the DEM Party issued a statement regarding Type Y and Type S prisons as well as high-security facilities, describing them as the "darkest face of the system of repression" and calling for their immediate closure.

Who Runs the UAE? / Delshad Majid

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Desk – The United Arab Emirates, which stepped in to fill the global commercial and financial void left after Hong Kong ceased to be under British rule, has now—in a strategic shift—become the primary hub for Israeli corporate operations in the region; a presence that, according to some observers, has placed the country's sensitive security and financial sectors under Tel Aviv's control.

Chambers of Commerce Emphasize Expanding Cross-Border Trade with the Kurdistan Region

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Desk – Representatives from the Chambers of Commerce of Erbil, Duhok, Urmia, and Gever (Yüksekova) emphasized the expansion of economic cooperation, the facilitation of trade exchanges, and the resolution of customs issues at border crossings during a joint meeting.

"National Position" MP:

Ali Hama-Salih Has Repeatedly Threatened Me and My Child

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – Sazgar Fariq, a Kurdistan Region Parliament MP representing the "National Position Movement," announced that she has faced serious threats from Ali Hama-Salih ever since entering parliament, claiming that these threats have endangered both her life and that of her child.

Herki Tribe Blocks Mosul–Erbil Road Following Expiration of Ultimatum

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Desk – Following the expiration of the deadline set by the family of Khorshid Herki for his and his brother's release, local sources report that members of the Herki tribe have blocked the main Mosul–Erbil road. Simultaneously, reports indicate a massive deployment of military and security forces affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to the Khabat and Gerde-Rash areas—developments that have heightened concerns regarding a potential escalation of the security crisis.

Implications of the PKK's Major Withdrawal from the Kurdistan Region

World Desk – Following the PKK's withdrawal from Turkey's border areas, reports now indicate the evacuation of Gara—one of the group's most critical strategic hubs—a move many view as a sign that the peace process has reached a point of no return.

Anti-NATO Youth Coalition:

Protests Against NATO Summit in Ankara to Continue

Turkey Desk – The "Anti-NATO Youth Coalition" held a protest rally in Izmir, voicing opposition to the NATO summit scheduled for July 7–8 in Ankara. The group announced that protests against the summit would continue and vowed to welcome NATO in Ankara "as it deserves."

Warning Issued Regarding Continued Political Gridlock in the Kurdistan Region

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Desk – The Central Committee of the Kurdistan Toilers' Party issued a statement warning that the current political deadlock in the Kurdistan Region is not merely a dispute over the division of posts between the two ruling parties or the formation of the government; rather, its root cause lies in the failure of the philosophy, outlook, and style of governance prevailing in the region.

From the Battlefield to Parliament:

The Syrian Kurds' Share of Power

World Desk – The announcement of a list of 12 Kurdish representatives in Syria's new parliament has once again raised the question of whether the Kurds—after playing a significant role in Syrian events for years—have managed to secure a position in the new power structure commensurate with their political and demographic weight.

Ali Zaidi:

We Are Deeply Grateful to the KDP and the PUK

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – Ali Zaidi expressed appreciation for the support shown by Iraqi political parties and institutions—including the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)—for the government's anti-corruption agenda. He emphasized that combating corruption is a national responsibility and affirmed that, despite pressures and challenges, the government will resolutely continue the reform process, the prosecution of corrupt individuals, and the recovery of state assets.

Nechirvan Barzani:

Ayatollah Khamenei Spoke of My Father, Idris Barzani, After 40 Years

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Desk – Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, after attending the farewell ceremony for the Iranian leader, stated that meeting Ayatollah Khamenei was a highlight of his life; he noted that during the meeting, the Iranian leader spoke of his father, Idris Barzani, with respect and friendship after a lapse of nearly 40 years.

Evacuation of Several PKK Camps on Mount Gara

Turkey Desk – Turkish media have reported the evacuation of the Siyani camp and the Bahartepe area on Mount Gara—located near the Turkish border—by the PKK.

New Generation Representative:

The KDP Is Suffering from a Psychological Disorder

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – Mozhdeh Mahmoud, an Iraqi MP from the New Generation Movement bloc, criticized the recent stance of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). She accused the party of adopting an emotional approach toward the process of forming the new Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet, stating that the distribution of parliamentary seats necessitates that all parties accept the principle of balance in power-sharing.

The farewell ceremony and funeral prayers for the martyred leader of the Revolution were held at the Tehran Mosalla.

Iran Service – The massive farewell ceremony for the martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution began on Saturday and is set to continue until Sunday evening, allowing people from across Iran to attend the rites of paying respects and bidding farewell to the martyred leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Funeral prayers for the martyred leader and his family were performed amidst a sea of ​​millions of mourning citizens.

Iraq and Turkey Agree to Continue Kurdistan Region Oil Exports via Ceyhan Pipeline

Turkey Service – Iraq and Turkey have reached an agreement to sign an interim protocol for the continued export of oil from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region via the Ceyhan oil pipeline; this agreement will remain in effect until a new long-term contract between the two countries is finalized.

Talabani after meeting Fidan:

We will not become part of regional conflicts

Turkey Desk – Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, announced following his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) supports the peace process in Turkey and emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace and stability—and avoiding any form of conflict—regarding regional developments.

Erbil Police Announce Arrest of Khurshid Herki and His Brother

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – The Erbil Police Command announced the arrest of Khurshid Herki and his brother, who face charges including the murder of a Peshmerga member and a civilian, inciting disorder, and various other offenses.

Attacks by Syrian Interim Government Forces on Suwayda Leave One Dead and Several Wounded

Syria Desk – The command of the "National Guard" forces—affiliated with Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri in Suwayda—announced that attacks by Syrian Interim Government forces on the city's residential areas, involving drones and heavy weaponry, resulted in one death and injuries to a number of civilians and members of the force.

US Congressional Opposition to Fighter Jet Engine Sale to Turkey

World Service – A Democratic member of the US Congress has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives seeking to block the sale of American F110-GE-129E/F engines to Turkey for use in its indigenous "KAAN" fighter jet.

Öcalan:

With the End of the PKK Era, the Time Has Come to Build a Democratic Society

Turkey Desk – In a message published in the latest issue of the journal *Kominal*, Abdullah Öcalan announced that with the conclusion of the PKK era, a new phase has begun; this phase will center not on armed struggle, but on building a democratic society and organizing socially based on a new paradigm.

Al-Sharq al-Awsat: The deadlock in the formation of the regional government has strengthened the possibility of the return of two administrations

Service of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region - "Al-Sharq Al-Awsat" newspaper, in a report referring to the continuation of the deadlock in the formation of the new government of the Kurdistan Region, warned that the continuation of the differences between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union has increased the risk of returning to the "two administration" system.

Sulaimani artists sang an anthem for the martyrdom of Ayatollah Khamenei

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Services – Sulaimani Youth Artists Association in the self-motivated movement, released a play in Kurdish entitled “O my leader, O Khamenei.. O my Imam, my crown”.

Behind the Scenes of Mending Ties Between Turkey and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

World Desk – Relations between Turkey and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)—which had once hit rock bottom following the expulsion of the PUK representative from Ankara, a ban on flights to Sulaymaniyah, and accusations of collaboration with the PKK—are now on the path to recovery. A series of recent meetings between officials from both sides indicates that, amidst shifting regional dynamics, Ankara and Sulaymaniyah have embarked on a new chapter of cooperation.

Democratic Union Party (PYD):

The process of forming the Syrian People's Assembly does not reflect the true will of society.

Syria Desk – Criticizing the process of forming the Syrian People's Assembly, the Democratic Union Party (PYD) stated that the mechanism for selecting the body's members failed to ensure genuine representation for the various segments of Syrian society. Expressing concern over the continued marginalization of Kurds, the party called for the adoption of a democratic approach and guarantees for the equitable participation of all components of society in the country's political structure.

Limited Window to Resolve Kurdish Issues in Turkey

Garo Paylan, a former member of the Turkish parliament and a prominent advocate for minority rights, believes Turkey stands at a pivotal historical juncture; the simultaneous progress of dialogue between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and efforts to normalize relations between Ankara and Yerevan could determine the fate of the historic "Kurdish issue" and "Armenian issue" for decades to come.

Meeting Between the President of the Kurdistan Region and the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Iraq and Kurdistan Region Service – Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region—who has traveled to Tehran at the head of a high-ranking delegation to attend the ceremony paying tribute to the late leader of the Islamic Revolution—met this Friday morning with Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Pezeshkian:

Kurdistan Region’s Prudence Thwarted Plots Along Our Western Borders

Iran Desk – The President expressed appreciation for the Kurdistan Region’s sympathetic and responsible stance regarding recent developments and emphasized the expansion of scientific, cultural, and economic cooperation.

Bill to Recognize Yazidi Genocide Presented to Australian Parliament

World Service – The Australian Parliament has begun reviewing a bill that recognizes the genocide of the Yazidi people at the hands of ISIS. During the review process, Senator David Shoebridge highlighted the ongoing suffering of survivors and called for justice, security, and protection for the Yazidi community.