Unfinished Stories: No winner war
In this episode of Unfinished Stories, Hevidar Ahmed returns to Turkey for a second time to follow up on the ongoing peace talks between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). His first visit took place in February.
This time, he travels to the location where the PKK launched its decades-long insurgency against Ankara. One of the group's earliest fighters takes him to a remote area to recount the first attacks on Turkish forces.
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Rudaw Net
4 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Turkish parliament forms PKK peace talks commission
Also in Turkey DEM Party meets jailed PKK leader PKK demands constitutional changes in Turkey, refuses amnesty Ten dead in western Turkey wildfires DEM Party rebukes call by Erdogan's ally to dissolve A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Turkish parliament on Friday announced the formation of a 51-member commission as part of peace talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Parties have been asked to submit their candidates by Thursday. Parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus sent letters to most of the political parties in the legislature, asking them to submit the names of their lawmakers that will join the commission, reported the state-run Anadolu Agency. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is entitled to 21 members, followed by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) with ten members. The pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) each will have four members. The rest will be distributed over smaller parties. The ultranationalist Good Party (IYI) has refused to take part. The formation of the commission is part of ongoing peace talks, or what Ankara calls terror-free Turkey, between the state and the PKK, which has decided to dissolve itself and lay down arms after decades of devastating war. A first group of PKK fighters burned their weapons earlier this month. Sezai Temelli, a DEM Party lawmaker, told Rudaw on Tuesday that the commission's main task will be to ensure 'legal and political guarantees for the disarmament process.' Some PKK fighters based in Duhok province told Rudaw earlier this month that they fear reprisals if they return to Turkey, with many opting to remain in the mountains instead. Cemil Bayik, co-chair of the executive council of PKK umbrella group the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), said in an interview with the PKK-affiliated Yeni Yasam news outlet on Thursday that they do not seek an amnesty but are demanding constitutional changes. 'These laws need to change, not just for the Kurds, but for all democratic forces, for all left-wing forces. Democratic laws need to evolve. Freedom laws need to evolve. The constitution has failed," he said. The PKK was formed in response to institutionalized discrimination against Turkey's Kurdish population.
Rudaw Net
4 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
DEM Party meets jailed PKK leader
Also in Turkey Turkish parliament forms PKK peace talks commission PKK demands constitutional changes in Turkey, refuses amnesty Ten dead in western Turkey wildfires DEM Party rebukes call by Erdogan's ally to dissolve A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A delegation from Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) on Friday arrived at Imrali prison to meet with Abdullah Ocalan, jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), for the first time since the group's ceremonial disarmament earlier this month. 'The DEM Party Imrali delegation, consisting of Pervin Buldan, Mithat Sancar, and Ozgur Faik Erol, is on Imrali Island to meet with Mr. Abdullah Ocalan,' the party said in a statement. DEM Party has been mediating peace talks between the PKK and the Turkish state. As part of that peace process, the PKK held a disarmament ceremony in Sulaimani province on July 11 when 30 members and commanders burned their weapons. The group decided to lay down arms after Ocalan urged them to pursue a political solution instead of armed conflict. The peace process will be guided by a parliamentary commission. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that negotiations to form the commission have 'reached the final stage. You will soon see progress at the parliamentary level.' The commission will consist of 35 members and may hold its first meeting in the coming days, Sezai Temelli, a DEM Party lawmaker, told Rudaw on Tuesday. Its main task will be to ensure 'legal and political guarantees for the disarmament process,' he said. Some PKK fighters based in Duhok province told Rudaw earlier this month that they fear reprisals if they return to Turkey. Many are opting to remain in the mountains instead.
Shafaq News
21 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Nechirvan Barzani: The Man with the Map
Shafaq News In a region marked by overlapping crises and fragile political alignments, Nechirvan Barzani—President of the Kurdistan Region—has remained a consistent, though often low-profile, figure in high-stakes negotiations. His involvement spans Iraqi internal disputes, Kurdish reconciliation, and regional diplomacy. Rather than seeking the spotlight or confrontation, Barzani has favored strategic mediation and behind-the-scenes coordination—an approach aimed at maintaining dialogue and limiting escalation. Between Institutional Gridlock and Regional Pressure Amid Iraq's recurring constitutional stalemates—particularly after the 2021 elections—Barzani participated in initiatives encouraging dialogue among polarized blocs. His visit to Najaf alongside Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and Sunni Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, while not producing immediate outcomes, was interpreted by Baghdad officials as a move to preserve institutional continuity. Sources cited by Shafaq News viewed the meeting as important for maintaining communication, which later contributed to the formation of the federal cabinet in late 2022. In 2023, a new challenge arose when the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris ruled that Turkiye must pay Iraq approximately $1.5 billion for breaching the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline (ITP) agreement by allowing unauthorized Kurdish oil exports. The ruling also halted oil loading and export operations through the pipeline, significantly impacting the Kurdistan Region's revenue. Despite the economic disruption, Barzani continued dialogue with Baghdad and sought alternatives. Although Turkiye did not resume pumping oil through the Kirkuk- Ceyhan line, discussions between Erbil and Baghdad remain ongoing. In early 2025, Barzani returned to Baghdad with proposals on oil revenue sharing, budget allocations, and disputed territories. According to sources within the State Administration Coalition, his approach focused on institutional frameworks over ad hoc arrangements. Presidential spokesperson Delshad Shihab stated that Barzani's repeated visits to Baghdad are aligned with a strategy based on constitutional dialogue. While views differ on the long-term outcomes of this approach, it has been credited with reducing the risk of further deterioration in federal-Kurdish relations. Mediating Between Turkiye and the PKK Barzani has also been involved in efforts to address the long-standing conflict between Turkiye and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Diplomatic sources told Shafaq News that, beginning in 2022, he hosted informal meetings in Erbil between Turkish officials and Kurdish figures. These dialogues aimed to encourage political engagement over military escalation. A significant development came in May 2025, when the PKK's military wing announced its dissolution. Some Turkish Kurdish sources linked the move to 'moral and political guarantees' associated with Barzani's role. Former PKK-affiliated officials described his involvement as going beyond facilitation, suggesting he provided assurances to support the process. While the broader implications of this development remain to be seen, observers view Barzani's efforts as part of wider attempts to shift dynamics along the Turkey-Kurdistan Region border. Crisis Management During Iran-Israel War Barzani's role during the Iran-Israel escalation in spring 2025 also drew attention. Amid Iranian accusations that Israel was operating from within the Kurdistan Region, local authorities increased security measures around the Harir airbase and eastern border areas. Tasnim, a media outlet affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, noted these actions positively, suggesting they contributed to preventing confrontation. While this aligns with Iranian strategic messaging, it also reflects a degree of acknowledgment of the Kurdistan Region's efforts to manage the situation. Unofficial Channels In Syria Reports have also linked Barzani to informal diplomacy concerning the Syrian Kurdish file. Al Monitor and Middle East Eye cited anonymous sources describing him as a go-between for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Ankara, and Washington. One example came in July 2025, when US envoy Tom Barrack met SDF commander Mazloum Abdi in Amman. Al Monitor reported that this shift in tone may have been facilitated through indirect mediation by Barzani. Although not confirmed officially, his longstanding relations with Ankara and elements of the Syrian Kurdish movement lend some credibility to these accounts. A Deliberate Political Style According to Delshad Shihab, 'President Nechirvan Barzani always emphasizes that the interest of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region lies in avoiding entanglement in regional conflicts that could harm their people. He believes that neutrality is a strategic choice, not just a posture.' Unlike some regional leaders, Barzani generally refrains from public confrontation. His political approach—often described by supporters as pragmatic and measured—has allowed him to maintain dialogue with a range of actors across Iraq's political spectrum. Former Kurdistan Parliament member Ali Hussein Faily noted that Barzani's influence does not stem from public rhetoric but from his calculated and discreet methods. Strategic Mediator or Regional Actor? Ali Hussein Faily, who accompanied Barzani on various diplomatic missions, remarked that Barzani avoids aligning with combative political camps and instead positions himself as a facilitator. According to Faily, his ability to remain engaged with multiple sides has preserved his credibility. He added that Barzani's engagement with international and regional actors has contributed to reshaping Erbil's profile 'from a post-conflict city into a center for commerce, diplomacy, and tourism. Developments in infrastructure and international outreach are cited as part of a vision for stability, though assessments of this trajectory vary.' While perspectives on Barzani's style and effectiveness differ, his involvement across multiple arenas—from federal negotiations to regional diplomacy—reflects a growing role. Whether this translates into durable political shifts remains uncertain, but his presence in sensitive negotiations and the trust he commands across diverse actors continue to make him a notable figure in the region's evolving landscape.
