Author: Amberin Zaman
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Iran spooked by Turkey’s overtures to Kurds, rising role in Syria, Iraq
Why Al-Monitor? Al-Monitor is an award-winning media outlet covering the Middle East, valued for its independence, diversity and analysis. It is read widely by US, international and Middle East decision makers at the highest levels, as well as by media, thought and business leaders and academia. Live news & notifications Follow over 100 expert journalists…
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Kurdish leader Ocalan makes historic call for PKK militants to end war with Turkey
In a widely anticipated statement that many hope will set the stage for ending more than more than four decades of conflict between Turkey and the Kurds, imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his followers Thursday to lay down their weapons and disband the rebel organization. “I am making a call for the laying…
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Turkey-backed forces advance on Kurdish Syrian town of Kobani
The collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime following a lightning offensive led by al-Qaeda offshoot Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and an array of Sunni factions supported by Turkey has created new realities on the ground for the country’s Kurds, who have since 2012 administered the northeast and eastern parts of the country. The overall picture is…
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Syria’s US-backed Kurdish forces seize Deir ez-Zor as Assad hangs by thread
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces confirmed on Friday that its forces had entered the city of Deir ez-Zor, administered by the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The Albu Kamal border crossing with Iraq — used by Iran-backed Shiite militias funneling men and weapons to their units in Syria — also fell under its control.…