KURDISTAN

Latest News

• Tens of thousands celebrate Newroz in Northern Syria and Rojava 

  Tens of thousands of people are celebrating the Kurdish New Year Newroz across Northern Syria and Rojava.
• Amed Newroz grounds’ answer to Erdoğan: We will prevail! 

  Tens of thousands are joining the historic Amed Newroz. Women have carried the fervor of spring to the grounds with their colorful clothes despite the ban on yellow red and green. Newroz fervor and “No” slogans for the referendum fill the grounds.
• 10 detained, 3 injured as police attack the Newroz celebration in Gever 

  Special operations police entered the Newroz area with armored vehicles and attacked the people, saying “We won't let you celebrate Newroz”. 3 were injured and over 10 were detained.
• Newroz celebrated by thousands in Cizre 

  People have flocked to the Newroz celebration grounds in Şırnak’s Cizre district under police blockade. Thousands have gathered in the Newroz grounds.
• Thousands join the Newroz celebration in Van 

  As the 2017 Newroz celebration has begun in the Newroz area next to the Castle of Van, enthusiasm grows at the scene as hours pass.
• Message of unity from KCK to the Qandil Newroz 

  KCK Executive Council Co-presidency sent a message to the Newroz celebrations in Qandil and called for the achievement of unity among the Kurds.
• People flock to the squares in Batman, Siirt and Dersim for Newroz 

  People have started gathering in squares in Batman, Siirt and Dersim with the motto “We will prevail” to celebrate Newroz.
• Newroz fire lit on Mishtenur hill in Kobanê 

  Newroz celebrations in Kobanê began on Mishtenur hill. The celebration area at Mishtenur has been decorated with YPG-YPJ flags and the posters of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan.
• Amed begins the day with Newroz fire and songs of resistance 

  Newroz celebrations began in Amed early this morning. People are flocking to the Newroz are located 4 km away from the city center. Newroz enthusiasm and resistance songs are all over the city.
• KDP blocks locals from joining the Newroz celebration in Qandil 

  KDP Asayish forces are preventing civilians from participating in the Newroz celebration in Qandil.
• People, YBŞ/YJŞ fighters and guerrillas light Newroz fire in Shengal 

  YBŞ-YJŞ fighters, HPG guerrillas and people lit the Newroz fire in Mount Shengal and Khanasor.
• Thousands gather in Qandil for Newroz celebration 

  People from across Kurdistan territory are heading to Qandil mountains to welcome the Kurdish people's day of freedom and resurrection, Newroz.
• Guerrillas and people celebrate Newroz in Makhmur 

  Kurdish New Year Newroz has been celebrated by the guerrillas and people at the Martyr Rüstem Refugee Camp in Makhmur, South Kurdistan.
• Heavy clashes in villages of Shengal attacked by ISIS 

  ISIS gangs have started an attack on two villages of Shengal that had been liberated in the 'Operation to Avenge Êzidî Women' last year.
• HDP MP and Women's Assembly Spokesperson released 

  HDP MP and Women's Assembly Spokesperson Dirayet Dilan Taşdemir who was taken into custody by police in Doğubayazıt earlier today, has been released.
• Dozens of prisoners in Rojava released in a Newroz amnesty 

  Dozens of prisoners in Amûde, Efrîn and Girke Legê cities of Rojava in the scope of an amnesty issued on occasion of the Newroz Day. Prisoners promised not to repeat their acts harmful to the society.
• New agreement between YPG and Russia 

  YPG announced an agreement on the building of a military base by Russia in Efrîn. Accordingly, the Russian army will train YPG fighters on modern techniques of battle.
• Curfew in 10 villages of Mardin's Nusaybin district 

  Turkish security forces continue their siege on villages in the rural areas of Kurdish cities amid ongoing military operations against the PKK.
• Youths from South Kurdistan join PKK ranks against AKP-KDP invasion 

  A group of young people from South Kurdistan joined PKK ranks after the invasion attempt to occupy Shengal with an AKP-KDP cahoots, and called on the Kurdistan youth to join the guerrilla ranks.
• YBŞ/YJŞ: Our people march towards a free life with Newroz resistance 

  YBŞ/YJŞ Command called for further struggle and support so that 2017 becomes the year when Shengal is completely liberated, their captivities are rescued and the threat of genocide and betrayal is completely removed.
• Nine people including HDP provincial co-chairs detained in Bingöl 

  During house raids conducted by police in Bingöl this morning, 9 people including HDP provincial co-chairs have been taken into custody.
• 25 people detained in Van's Çaldıran district 

  The Turkish government's operations of political genocide continue increasing ahead of the Kurdish New Year Newroz on 21 March and referendum for presidential system on 16 April.
• 1 liutenant and 1 specialist sergeant die during clashes in Lice 

  1 lieutenant and 1 specialist sergeant died during the clashes in Amed's Lice district.
• ‘We will make Newroz the beginning of our historic initiative’ 

  People's Defense Center Command said "Kurdistan Freedom Guerrillas welcome the Newroz of 2017 with great enthusiasm and are determined to make this Newroz beginning of their historic initiative."
• Newroz and referendum operations: 13 detentions 

  The Newroz and referendum operations of the AKP-MHP continue. 13 people were detained during the simultaneous house raids in Osmaniye and Urfa.