Iraq
Turkey launches Syria intervention
With US support, Turkey is moving to seize its "buffer zone" in Syria—ostensibly against ISIS but actually against the Kurdish forces that have been the most effective against ISIS.
Tag: Kurdistan
Greater Middle East
Turkey in new crackdown on ISIS —and PKK
As Turkey opens Incirlik Air Base to US warplanes, it has launched sweeps against supporters of both ISIS and their enemies in the PKK and allied leftist forces.
Greater Middle East
Turkey: ISIS terror blast targets solidarity meeting
A suicide bomb attack in the southern Turkish town of Suruc killed at least 30 at a meeting of young activists to organize solidarity with the reconstruction of Kobani.
Iraq
Spanish anti-ISIS volunteers face ‘terror’ charges
Two Spanish volunteers who went to Iraq to fight ISIS in an "International Brigade" were arrested upon their return and face charges of membership in a "terrorist organization."
Iraq
Obama disses Kurdish ‘partners’ against ISIS
Obama's Pentagon speech on his strategy against ISIS boasted of "effective partners on the ground"—but pointedly made no actual reference to the Rojava Kurds.
Greater Middle East
PKK attack Turkish military base
PKK fighters attacked a military base in eastern Turkey, as the guerilla organization warned that Turkish military intervention against the Syrian Kurds will mean "internal war."
Greater Middle East
Turkey preparing Syria invasion —against Kurds?
Widespread reports in the Turkish media indicate President Erdogan is preparing an invasion of northern Syria in response to Kurdish territorial gains against ISIS.
Greater Middle East
ISIS mounts new attack on Kobani
ISIS, retreating before an advance by Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria, launched a stealth attack on the Kurdish town of Kobani, with a wave of car bombs and random shootings.
Greater Middle East
Kurds punished for success against ISIS
As Syrian Kurdish forces advance towards Raqqa, the ISIS capital, Turkish state media have launched a campaign charging them with ethnic cleansing of Arabs in seized territory.
Iraq
Iraq: US sends more troops —amid reprisals
A new force of 450 US military advisors in Iraq will be training Sunni and Shi'ite militias to fight ISIS—amid mounting reports of bloody sectarian reprisals.
Greater Middle East
Gains for Kurds, Armenians in Turkish elections
The pro-Kurdish opposition enters parliament for the first time in an upset for Turkey's ruling AK Party—despite a wave of terror attacks on Kurdish party rallies and offices.
Iraq
ISIS gains ground as diplomats dither
ISIS advanced on Aleppo and launched an offensive on the Syrian Kurdish city of Hassakeh as the US and coalition partners met in Paris. No Kurdish leaders were invited to the summit.