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
Turkey says SDF must prove commitment to integration deal with Damascus
Also in Middle East Turkey accuses Israel of trying to 'divide Syria,' vows to intervene Iraq says Turkey ready to renew, expand oil export deal PKK disarmament could be completed within four months: Kurdish lawmaker Sudani, Erdogan discuss Ankara-PKK peace talks A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) should demonstrate that they are committed to the March agreement with Damascus regarding its integration into the interim government's security apparatus, Turkish state media cited Ankara's defense sources as saying. SDF chief Mazloum Abdi and Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a landmark agreement on March 10 concerning the future of the SDF and the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava). While parts of the agreement have already been implemented, key provisions - such as the integration of the US-backed SDF into Syrian state forces - continue to face significant obstacles. 'The SDF terrorist organization must concretely demonstrate that it is complying with the agreement it made with the Damascus government. Developments regarding this issue are being closely monitored together with our relevant institutions,' Turkish national defence sources told journalists during a weekly press briefing, reported Turkey's state-run TRT Haber on Wednesday. Ankara has endorsed the March 10 agreement but has repeatedly called on the SDF to abide by it. Middle East Eye reported on Monday that the US and Turkey have given the SDF a 30-day ultimatum to integrate into Damascus forces. However, the SDF denied the claim. An SDF spokesperson told the Saudi-based Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday that they do refuse to lay down arms for now. 'We can join the Syrian army through a constitutional and legal agreement that recognizes the specificity of our forces,' Abjar Dawoud said, adding that they refuse to 'surrender' weapons 'in light of the increase in the pace of violence' in southern Syria - where days of recent clashes left nearly 1,300 people dead, according to a war monitor. He stressed it is 'impossible' for the SDF to hand over its weapons while the Islamic State (ISIS) continues to pose a threat to northeast Syria. The SDF is the de facto army of Rojava.
Rudaw Net
9 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
DEM Party rebukes call by Erdogan's ally to dissolve
Also in Turkey Erdogan commends Ocalan's support for peace process Erdogan will not seek Turkey-Iraq oil export deal renewal: Gazette PKK says no more disarmament until Ankara enacts reforms Turkish parties discuss forming PKK peace commission in parliament A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) on Tuesday condemned a call from an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urging the party to dissolve itself over alleged ties to Kurdish rebel groups. The DEM Party firmly rejected the demand, stating it has no intention of disbanding. The DEM Party is mediating peace talks between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The latter has decided to dissolve itself and lay down arms after decades of a devastating war with the Turkish state. A first group of PKK fighters burned their weapons earlier this month. Mustafa Destici, leader of the Great Unity Party (BBP), on Monday called on all alleged offshoots of the PKK to dissolve themselves, mentioning the DEM Party too. 'Even this DEM Party in Turkey will do so. Because it is also the PKK's party. It will dissolve itself, condemn terrorism, and establish a new party,' he told reporters. The BBP is part of the ruling People's Alliance, which includes Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP). The DEM Party rebuked the Turkish politician for his remarks late Tuesday. 'DEM Party is the name of the struggle for equality, freedom, democracy, justice, and peace of the peoples. It is the will of millions. It is not a mere signboard, nor is it temporary. It has reached this point by paying great costs and through an uninterrupted struggle,' stated the pro-Kurdish party. 'The purpose of the DEM Party is clear: to ensure peace and build democracy for 86 million people.' The party refused to dissolve itself. 'We are not dissolving our party. We are right where we stand, and our march continues with determination. We will never step back,' the party said, advising the BBP leader to be 'the voice of people and democracy, not of Kurdish hostility.' On May 12, the PKK announced its dissolution and intention to disarm after being urged to do so by its founder Abdullah Ocalan who said it was time to take the struggle for Kurdish rights into the political sphere. The PKK has declared a unilateral ceasefire and on July 11 held a disarmament ceremony had a ceremonial disarmament where 30 fighters, including commanders, burned their weapons. Erdogan on Monday praised Ocalan for his continued support for peace talks between the PKK and Ankara. 'We are determined to build a terrorism-free future. We are clear about what we will do to reach our goal, how we will achieve it, and where we will ultimately end up,' Erdogan told journalists. Erdogan also said that they are following the PKK disarmament process, adding that the negotiations to form a parliamentary commission to address the peace process, or what Ankara calls terror-free Turkey, have 'reached the final stage. You will soon see progress at the parliamentary level.' The peace process will be guided by the parliamentary commission. Representatives of the parliamentary bloc of Turkey's political parties met with the parliament speaker on Friday and the commission is set to be formed within days. The commission has broad political support, except from the ultranationalist Good Party (IYI). Sezai Temelli, a DEM Party lawmaker, told Rudaw on Tuesday that the parliamentary commission will consist of 35 members and may hold its first meeting in the coming days. 'There may be a meeting on Friday. Even if it is not Friday, it will definitely convene within the next week. Even if parliament goes on recess, the commission will continue its work and fulfill its legal preparation duty until October 1,' he said. He added 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. "In the first phase, regulations will be made regarding the legal and political rights of those who lay down arms. After this stage is completed, new steps can be taken for the continuation of the process,' Temelli noted, adding that the DEM Party delegation, which has held several meetings with Ocalan in jail, will visit him again following the commission meeting. Ibrahim Kalin, Turkish intelligence chief, has held meetings with several Turkish political parties over the peace talks, including the DEM Party. Temelli said their meeting with Kalin was positive. "It was a sincere and important meeting. We won't make statements about its content, but it went positively. The resumption of dialogues is important for the democratic solution of the Kurdish issue,' the lawmaker said.
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Shafaq News
SDF: Disarmament currently impossible
Shafaq News – Damascus The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) will not disarm under current conditions, SDF spokesperson Abgar Dawood said on Tuesday, citing ongoing instability and security threats. Speaking to Kurdish media outlets, Dawood added that the SDF could integrate into the Syrian army if a constitutional framework acknowledging the Kurdish community's distinct status is established. 'The SDF is not in favor of war, but it will defend its people wherever it is present.' The SDF has recently deployed additional units to front-line areas in eastern Aleppo province, as well as northern and western parts of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria. The move follows skirmishes with public security forces and Turkish-backed armed factions, amid rising tensions linked to developments in Suwayda. On March 10, interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi signed an agreement under which Kurdish fighters would be incorporated into the armed forces of the transitional government.
