Latest news with #SyrianKurdish
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Syrian Kurds renew autonomy push after failed Damascus talks
DAMASCUS: Syrian Kurdish leaders have reiterated demands for autonomy following unsuccessful negotiations with the central government, exposing persistent divisions over power-sharing in the war-torn nation. The Kurdish-led administration issued a statement on Sunday advocating for 'a pluralistic democratic system, social justice, gender equality, and a constitution that guarantees the rights of all components' of society. The latest appeal comes days after Damascus dismissed proposals for decentralisation during high-level talks involving US envoy Tom Barrack. The Syrian government insists on integrating Kurdish forces into its national army, rejecting what it terms 'any form of division or federalisation.' Mazloum Abdi of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and interim Kurdish leader Ahmed al-Sharaa initially agreed in March to merge Kurdish institutions with state structures. However, disagreements over autonomy provisions have stalled progress. The Kurds administer large areas of northern Syria, including key oil and gas resources, bolstered by US-led coalition support during the anti-ISIS campaign. Ambassador Barrack acknowledged the SDF's counterterrorism contributions but urged alignment with Damascus, stating the 'only future path for them is Syria's central government.' Kurdish officials counter that decades of centralized rule fueled inequality and conflict, advocating instead for a 'decentralised Syria that embraces all its people equally.' - AFP
RTHK
11-07-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Kurdish PKK fighters burn weapons to start disarmament
Kurdish PKK fighters burn weapons to start disarmament PKK fighters burnt their weapons during a disarming ceremony in Iraq. Photo: Kurdistan Workers Party media office via Reuters Thirty Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants burned their weapons at the mouth of a cave in northern Iraq on Friday, marking a symbolic and significant step toward ending a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. Footage from the ceremony showed the fighters, half of them women, queuing to place AK-47 assault rifles, bandoliers and other guns into a large grey cauldron. Flames later engulfed the black gun shafts pointed to the sky, as Kurdish, Iraqi and Turkish officials watched nearby. The PKK, locked in conflict with the Turkish state and outlawed since 1984, decided in May to disband, disarm and end its separatist struggle after a public call to do so from its long-imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan. After a series of failed peace efforts, the new initiative could pave the way for Ankara to end an insurgency that has killed over 40,000 people, burdened the economy and wrought deep social and political divisions in Turkey and the wider region. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he hoped the PKK's dissolution would bolster Turkish security and regional stability. "We voluntarily destroy our weapons, in your presence, as a step of goodwill and determination," senior PKK figure Bese Hozat said. The end of Turkey's conflict with the PKK could have consequences across the region, including in neighbouring Syria where the United States is allied with Syrian Kurdish forces that Ankara deems a PKK offshoot. (Reuters)
Rudaw Net
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Turkey extends flight ban on Sulaimani again
Also in Kurdistan Authorities wrap up search for missing Erbil woman DEM Party to attend PKK disarmament ceremony in Sulaimani KRG blames PMF for drone attacks in Erbil Yazidi survivor says ISIS banned Kurdish language A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey has extended its flight ban on Sulaimani International Airport for the fifth time since 2023, its civil aviation authority said on Sunday. Turkey's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said it extended the ban on using Turkish airspace for flights from Sulaimani airport, which was set to expire on Sunday, until October 6. Dana Mohammed, communications director at Sulaimani airport, told Rudaw that they 'have not been informed about the extension decision.' The decision has prohibited flights in and out of Sulaimani from Turkey's airspace since an initial three-month ban was imposed on April 3, 2023. When first imposing the ban, Turkish foreign ministry spokesperson at the time Tanju Bilgic said it was in response to an alleged 'intensification' of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) activity in Sulaimani province, referring to the crash of two helicopters carrying Syrian Kurdish fighters a month earlier. Nine members of the anti-terrorism forces of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were killed in the crash, including their commander, according to the SDF. The helicopters were bound for Sulaimani. Ankara alleges the Syrian forces are affiliated with the PKK. Turkish officials have repeatedly accused Sulaimani authorities of supporting the PKK and the flight ban is not the first time Ankara has taken punitive measures against the province. Following the Kurdistan Region's independence referendum in 2017, international airspace to Erbil and Sulaimani airports was ordered closed by the Iraqi federal government. Turkey and most other countries re-opened their airspace to planes bound for Erbil in March 2018. However, Ankara refused to allow flights bound for Sulaimani, citing alleged support for the PKK by the province's ruling Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). In 2017, Ankara expelled the PUK's representative to Turkey after the PKK captured two Turkish intelligence agents in Sulaimani province. Turkey also frequently carries out air and drone strikes on PKK targets in the province. Speaking at a regional forum in Erbil in October 2023, PUK leader Bafel Talabani said that his party's problems with Turkey are 'hard to resolve.' Qubad Talabani, a senior PUK member and the deputy prime minister of the Kurdistan Region, has held several meetings with Turkish diplomats in recent years, discussing the ban.
The Hill
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump dismantles decades of Syria sanctions
The Big Story President Trump on Monday signed an executive order dismantling a series of sanctions on Syria. © AP The administration said it's lifting the sanctions without conditions, but hopes the move to end Syria's isolation in global financial markets will encourage the government headed by the U.S.-designated terrorist Ahmed al-Sharaa to fulfill a number of criteria related to countering terrorism, integrating the Syrian Kurdish forces, respect for minorities and establishing ties with Israel. 'Neither the president nor the secretary of State are nation building, they're not dictating,' Ambassador to the Republic of Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said. 'They're not requiring, they're not giving the framework of the democratic model that needs to be implemented to their architectural desire. They're saying we're going to give you an opportunity.' Trump announced during a speech in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 13 that he was lifting sanctions on Syria and blasted 'interventionists' and 'neocons' as wrecking 'far more nations than they built.' Trump's executive order will begin to unravel decades of layered sanctions against Syria. The country was designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 1979, although the State Department did not immediately return a request for comment if that designation would be lifted. A fact sheet provided by the White House said that the Secretary of State will review Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The secretary will also review the sanctions designation of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham as a Foreign Terrorist Organization — the group that overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad late last year. Sanctions will remain on Assad and officials sanctioned for human rights abuses, corruption, terrorism and other violations. 'While we remain hopeful for the country's future and its new government, we are also clear eyed that threats to peace remain,' Brad Smith, acting undersecretary of the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the Department of the Treasury, said in a briefing with reporters previewing the president's executive order. 'The United States will remain ever vigilant where our interests and security are threatened, and Treasury will not hesitate to use our authorities to protect U.S. and international financial systems.' Read the full report at Welcome to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future: Iran: More than 900 killed in war with Israel Iran said that more than 900 people were killed in its nearly two-week war with Israel, which subsided with a ceasefire shortly after the U.S. carried out strikes on three of Iran's underground nuclear facilities. The state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported Monday that Asghar Jahangir, an Iranian judiciary spokesperson, said the war's death toll had reached 935 in Iran. Of those killed, 38 were children … NOAA to discontinue some weather data, but delays cutoff Federal authorities say they will discontinue some weather data — but they are delaying the original plan to do so by one month. Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said it would phase out data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, which has collected weather data for military operations for more than 50 years. 'Due to recent service changes, the Defense Meteorological Satellite … B-2 pilots who flew Iran strike mission will visit White House on July Fourth The B-2 pilots who carried out the strike on Iran's nuclear facilities will visit the White House on Friday for the Fourth of July holiday, a White House official told The Hill. The president will speak at a celebration that will include a flyover of B-2 bombers and other personnel from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, CBS first reported. President Trump said the pilots are 'going to come to the White House,' without specifying … Trump knocks Senate Democrat: 'I am not offering Iran ANYTHING' President Trump knocked Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) on Monday for suggesting over the weekend that the Trump administration is considering entering into deal with Iran similar to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was struck in former President Obama's administration. 'Tell phony Democrat Senator Chris Coons that I am not offering Iran ANYTHING, unlike Obama, who paid them $Billions under the stupid 'road … On Our Radar Upcoming things we're watching on our beat: In Other News Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Judge again delays Abrego Garcia's release from Tennessee jail over deportation concerns NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kilmar Abrego Garcia will stay in jail for now over concerns from his lawyers that he could be deported if he's released to await his trial on human smuggling charges, a federal judge in Tennessee ruled Monday. Abrego Garcia's attorneys had asked the judge to delay his release … On Tap Tomorrow Events in and around the defense world: What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets: Trending Today Two key stories on The Hill right now: Live updates: Thune looks to nail down holdouts on Trump megabill The Senate is more than seven hours into a vote-a-rama on the massive GOP policy legislation dubbed the 'big, beautiful bill' after a marathon … Read more Musk calls for new political party amid criticism of Trump megabill Elon Musk renewed his calls Monday for a new political party as he lodged sharp criticism against President Trump's megabill as the Senate seeks to … Read more Opinions in The Hill Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
The Hill
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump signs order dismantling decades of Syria sanctions
President Trump on Monday signed an executive order dismantling a series of sanctions on Syria, providing more relief to the new authorities in Damascus which overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad late last year. The administration said its lifting the sanctions without conditions, but hopes the move to end Syria's isolation in global financial markets will encourage the government headed by the U.S.-designated terrorist Ahmed al-Sharaa to fulfill a number of criteria related to countering terrorism, integrating the Syrian Kurdish forces, respect for minorities, and establishing ties with Israel. 'Neither the president nor the secretary of State are nation building, they're not dictating,' said Ambassador to the Republic of Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack. 'They're not requiring, they're not giving the framework of the democratic model that needs to be implemented to their architectural desire. They're saying we're going to give you an opportunity.' The move was welcomed by the Syrian Emergency Task Force, a non-governmental organization that has worked to track war crimes in Syria by Assad and his forces and advocate for lifting sanctions on the country under the new government. 'We are proud of this amazing achievement and grateful for Ambassador Thomas Barrack, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and President Donald Trump for giving Syria a chance at democracy,' SETF's Advocacy Director, Veronica Zanetta-Brandoni said in a statement. 'It is now the responsibility of the new Syrian government to ensure safety and security, the transition to democracy, and economic prosperity for all Syrians.' The SETF said the administration's move continues efforts to hold Assad accountable. 'We are pleased to see commitment to accountability for the crimes committed by the Assad regime and by the terrorists of ISIS. This means helping the Syrians gather and analyze the documents and excavate the mass graves to determine the fate of more than 100,000 missing persons, including Americans Austin Tice and Dr. Majd Kamalmaz, and to lay the groundwork for trials of the major perpetrators,' said former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice and SETF's Board Member Ambassador Stephen J. Rapp. Trump announced during a speech in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 13 that he was lifting sanctions on Syria and blasted 'interventionists' and 'neocons' as wrecking 'far more nations than they built.' Brad Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the Department of the Treasury, said the administration reserves the right to re-impose sanctions on Syria if it feels its actions are harming U.S. interests or violating criteria laid out. Sanctions will remain on Assad and officials sanctioned for human rights abuses, corruption, terrorism and other violations. 'While we remain hopeful for the country's future and its new government, we are also clear eyed that threats to peace remain,' Smith said in a briefing with reporters previewing the president's EO. 'The United States will remain ever vigilant where our interests and security are threatened, and Treasury will not hesitate to use our authorities to protect U.S. and international financial systems.' A senior administration official, speaking on background under the terms of agreement for the call with reporters, said that Trump is not interested in using sanctions as leverage against Syria to pressure establishing ties with Israel and joining the Abraham Accords, the 2020 agreement that brokered ties between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. 'The way to entice them to get to the Abraham Accords is to make it fruitful for them on an economic basis, on a civilization basis, on a peace and prosperity basis, and that's all coming together,' the official said. In response to a question related to Israel's control of the Golan Heights, which it seized from Syria during the Six-Day-War in 1967, the official described the borders currently in the Middle East as an 'illusion.' Trump, in his first term, recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, while much of the international community refers to it as occupied. Israel seized additional Syrian territory near its border following the fall of Assad. The status of that territory could be a component of a peace deal between Jerusalem and Damascus. 'The lines that were drawn at 1948 and 1926 and 1967 and 1974 are all illusions,' the official said, saying they were 'based on facts that were there at the time.' 'It doesn't matter what the line is, if you don't trust each other on the other side of the line, that's going to continue forever,' the official said. Trump's executive order will begin to unravel decades of layered sanctions against Syria. The country was designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 1979, although the State Department did not immediately return a request for comment if that designation would be lifted. A fact sheet provided by the White House said that the Secretary of State will review Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The secretary will also review the sanctions designation of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's (HTS) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization – the group that overthrew Assad. But Trump's order will terminate the 2004 national emergency declaration related to Syria, and revoke five executive orders that constitute the basis of that program. 'The EO will also direct certain actions with respect to waivers of applicable statutory sanctions, export controls and other restrictions,' a second senior administration official described to reporters on a call providing background of the president's actions. The sanctions lifting will allow international transactions and communications to take place with the Syrian government and state-owned entities, like the Central Bank and other financial institutions. The U.S. began imposing a number of layered sanctions on Syria in response to the outbreak of the civil war in that country in 2011 and responding to evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly carried out by the Assad regime. Assad is currently in exile in Russia. 'The second part of the EO is that it contains provisions that will ensure that sanctions remain on Assad, his cronies and other destabilizing regional actors, including terrorists, as well as those that proliferate weapons of mass destruction, in addition to counter narcotics,' the second official said.
