Iraq
Turkey prepares military action in Syria
The Turkish government submitted a motion to parliament to expand authorization for military action in Syria. Over 160,000 refugees have fled ISIS into Turkey in recent weeks.
Tag: Turkey
Iraq
ISIS advances on Kobani —and Baghdad
Turkish troops opened fire on Kurdish refugees attempting to flee the tightening ISIS siege of Kobani in northern Syria, as ISIS forces advanced within 40 kilometers of Baghdad.
Iraq
First US air-strikes on ISIS targets in Syria
Warplanes flying from the USS George HW Bush carried out the first US air-strikes against ISIS targets in Syria, with planes from five Arab countries also participating in the raids.
Iraq
Turkey bars Kurdish militants from relieving Kobani
Turkish security forces fired water cannon and tear-gas to prevent local Kurds from crossing into Syria to come to the defense of ISIS-beseiged Kobani.
Iraq
Turkish border forces bar Yazidi refugees
Thousands of Yazidi refugees who have fled the Sinjar region of northern Iraq have been denied entry into Turkey by military forces, and are stranded in the mountains.
Greater Middle East
Turkey: clashes over monument to PKK leader
Tens of thousands joined the funeral for a youth killed by Turkish troops who attacked local Kurds trying to protect a statue of PKK guerrilla leader Mahsum Korkmaz near Diyarbakır.
Iraq
Control of water at issue in Iraq conflict
The taking of the Mosul Dam on the Tigris River from ISIS by Peshmerga forces backed by US air power highlights the strategic nature of water in the multi-sided Iraq conflict.
Iraq
Iraq: US calls off rescue operation; PKK join fight
The US dropped plans for a rescue mission for besieged Yazidis—over the protests of Yazidi leaders—as the "terrorist" PKK joined US-backed Peshmerga in the fight against ISIS.
Iraq
Iraq: US intervention on behalf of Yazidis?
In authorizing US air-strikes in northern Iraq, President Obama invoked the responsibility to protect the Yazidis from ISIS and avert a potential "genocide."
Greater Middle East
Turkish miners: ‘Burn AKP!’
Thousands of Turkish workers went on strike to express their outrage over the mining disaster at Soma, where angry protests by local miners and their families continue.
Europe
Novorossiya resurgent?
With the open encouragement of Putin, separatists in eastern Ukraine are reviving the concept of "Novorossiya" (New Russia)—a dangerous precedent for revanchist claims.
Greater Middle East
Turkey: May Day marchers defy protest ban
Clashes rocked central Istanbul as Turkish protesters attempted to defy a government ban on May Day rallies at the city's iconic Taksim Square.