KURDISTAN

Latest News

• Guerrillas hit Turkish forces in Heftanin, Metina and Avaşin 

  YJA Star and HPG guerrillas struck the Turkish occupiers in the Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan. One Turkish military position was completely destroyed and a camera surveillance system was seized.
• Families of martyrs protest against KDP at Semalka border crossing 

  On the border between Rojava and South Kurdistan, families of those martyred in the Kurdish liberation struggle protest against the collaboration of the KDP with the Turkish state.
• PYD condemns KDP’s complicity with Turkey 

  The PYD called on Kurdish parties to prevent the attacks of the KDP, defining it as a national duty to stand against this conspiracy.
• Maxmur Ishtar Assembly condemns KDP's attacks, calls for action 

  The Ishtar Assembly of the Martyr Rüstem Cudi Refugee Camp called on people to take the streets against the attacks of the KDP.
• Protests for Behdinan prisoners in South Kurdistan 

  The "Solidarity with Behdinan Prisoners" campaign has warned against the "erasure of fundamental rights" by the politicized judiciary during protests in South Kurdistan and called for decisive action for the imprisoned journalists and activists.
• Drone attack on a vehicle leaves 2 injured in South Kurdistan 

  A vehicle was attacked by a drone of unknown origin in the Chamchamal town of southern Kurdistan. Two injured people were transferred to a hospital in Sulaymaniyah.
• PYD: Struggle of Mam Jalal continues to inspire peoples 

  Jalal Talabani, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and former head of state of Iraq, died on 3 October 2017 at the age of 83.
• HPG reports effective guerrilla actions against Turkish troops in Avaşin 

  People’s Defense Forces Press Centre reported that effective actions were carried out against the invading Turkish army in Avaşin.
• Autonomous Administration: We do not recognize any plan or power that rejects Shengal's will 

  The Shengal Autonomous Administration, which went into a state of emergency against the KDP's attempts to enter the city, commended the resistance of the people and stated that they would defy those who do not recognize the will of the people.
• People in Shengal mobilise against KDP's possible arrival 

  The KDP's attempt to enter Shengal with its armed forces led to an extraordinary situation. The people of Shengal began to flock to the Public Security points and the People's Assemblies.
• Yazidi women say they won't allow the KDP to enter Shengal 

  The KDP is apparently preparing for a new attempt to advance with large troop contingents into the self-administered Yazidi Shengal region.
• KCK pays tribute to Celal Talabani on the fourth anniversary of his death 

  In 1975 Celal Talabani founded the PUK. Thirty years later he was the first Kurd to be elected President of Iraq. Four years ago, ‘Mam Celal’ died in Berlin at the age of 83 as a result of a stroke he suffered in 2012.
• Shengal Autonomous Administration: KDP aims to build a base here 

  The Democratic Autonomous Administration of Shengal criticised the KDP’s attempt to deploy forces to Shengal on pretext of elections, saying, “Their arrival has nothing to do with elections, they want to build a base here.”
• Hacı Lokman Birlik remembered at his grave 

  On October 3, 2015, actor and activist Hacı Lokman Birlik was executed by Turkish police officers. His body, tied to a rope, was pulled through Şırnak by an armored car. No one was punished.
• HPG: Guerrillas hit the Turkish invaders in Werxelê 

  The guerrillas are not giving the Turkish occupation forces in Southern Kurdistan a break. Two soldiers were killed in the resistance area of Werxelê, and two more actions were carried out against a Turkish unit in the Zap region.
• HPG statement on KDP attack on guerrilla group 

  The HPG issued a statement on the seven guerrillas who were ambushed by the KDP at the end of August. One of the guerrilla fighters survived and was able to describe the incident.
• A message of determination from guerrillas in Werxelê  

  The guerrillas in Avaşîn's Werxelê Area said that they would resist despite the Turkish army's dirty tactics and that this resistance would turn into a retribution and attack manoeuvre.
• KCDK-E: “Shengal is under threat, we call on everyone to take to the streets” 

  KCDK-E stated that "Shengal is under the threat of invasion by KDP! We are calling on everyone to take to the streets as of now."
• People's resistance in Shengal yields results: KDP forces withdraw 

  The roadblocks against the incursion of KDP troops into Shengal are apparently having an effect. The military forces of the party that rules South Kurdistan have withdrawn for the time being.
• HPG commemorates Cilo martyrs 

  Guerrilla fighters Jîn Amara, Şervan Gabar and Tîrêj Roj died six years ago in a Turkish attack in Cilo. The HPG commemorates the three martyrs with respect and gratitude.
• People of Shengal take to the streets and start resistance- UPDATE 

  Armed forces of South Kurdistan’s ruling party KDP want to enter Shengal on the pretext of the upcoming elections. People took to the streets and started sit-in actions to voice their reaction.
• Shengal Autonomous Administration: "We will not tolerate any armed presence of the KDP" 

  In the run-up to Iraq's parliamentary elections, the Autonomous Administration of Shengal warned against armed provocations by the KDP in the Yazidi settlement area in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).
• KDP attempts to enter Shengal with armed forces 

  Shengal Autonomous Administration vowed to resist and defend themselves against the KDP which is attempting to enter the Yazidi town in South Kurdistan (North Iraq).
• Kurdish young man tortured to death in Urmia prison 

  The Kurdistan Human Rights Association reported that a young Kurdish man died as a result of severe torture in Urmia prison.
• “Entering the Iraqi parliament will be a gain for the Yazidis” 

  Yazidis from Afrin Canton who migrated to Shehba have urged the Yazidi community to support the PADE candidate, noting that representation in the Iraqi parliament would be a gain for Yazidis.