KURDISH NEWS BRIEFING, 25 MARCH – 08 APRIL 2020

For all of the latest Kurdish news, see these sources:

ANF English: https://anfenglishmobile.com/

Hawar News: https://www.hawarnews.com/en/

Rojava Information Center: https://rojavainformationcenter.com

https://twitter.com/RojavaIC

Women Defend Rojava: http://womendefendrojava.net/en/

Rojhelat: http://rojhelat.info/en/

Rojava Centre for Strategic Studies

http://nrlsrojava.com/en/

Komun Academy: 

https://komun-academy.com

NEWS

1. Syria’s isolated Kurds wait and worry as coronavirus threat grows
2. Happy Birthday, Abdullah Öcalan!
3. Riot erupts in southeast penitentiary, after parliamentary committee approves prisoner release bill
4. Turkish state accused of murder after death of hunger-striking Grup Yorum musician
5. Turkey imposes curfew on youth, shuts borders of 31 cities: Erdogan
6. Turkey: Lira at crisis levels as virus hits trade, factories
7. Turkey could tighten coronavirus controls as strains, criticism grow
8. Syrian Kurds say no escapees after IS prison revolt
9. Turkey is continuing its attacks in northeast Syria despite the coronavirus crisis
10. Turkey opposition calls for ‘stay at home’ order over coronavirus
11. SDF: ISIS detainees escape prison in northeast Syria
12. Turkey suspends all international flights, expands restrictions
13. Turkey Moves Migrants From Greek Border Amid Virus Pandemic
14. Kurdish journalists demand release of “political hostages”
15. Turkey Holds First Tender Related to Istanbul Canal Project

 

KURDISH NEWS BRIEFING, 10 MARCH – 24 MARCH 2020

For all of the latest Kurdish news, see these sources:

 

ANF English: https://anfenglishmobile.com/

Hawar News: https://www.hawarnews.com/en/

Rojava Information Center: https://rojavainformationcenter.com

https://twitter.com/RojavaIC

Women Defend Rojava: http://womendefendrojava.net/en/

Rojhelat: http://rojhelat.info/en/

Rojava Centre for Strategic Studies

http://nrlsrojava.com/en/

Komun Academy: 

https://komun-academy.com

 

NEWS

 

1. Co-chair of the PYD: SDF could join government forces in Idlib after an agreement on role in Syrian Armed Forces
2. The relationship between ecology and the system is unsustainable
3. Turkey must release political prisoners: Human Rights Watch
4. Kurdish-led SDF calls for truce in Syria amid coronavirus pandemic
5. Russia sends ship with military ambulances towards Syria after virus outbreak
6. UN calls for total ceasefire in Syria to focus on coronavirus
7. Iran-backed militias beef up presence in Syria’s Idlib, Aleppo: monitor
8. Turkey using drug from China for coronavirus
9. Turkey tightens restrictions to curb coronavirus outbreak
10. Turkey dismisses eight pro-Kurdish party mayors in east
11. EU leaders to review 2016 deal with Turkey on migrants
12. UN expert raises alarm over migrant, asylum seeker ‘pushbacks’ at Turkey-Greece border
13. Fears mount as Syria reports first coronavirus case
14. Kurdish-led northeast under lockdown as Syria announces first coronavirus case
15. Turkish-backed group’s disruption of water puts 460,000 people at risk, UNICEF warns
16. Iraq, Kurdistan crack down on coronavirus curfew violators as infections rise
17. Turkey’s Coronavirus Death Toll Up Nine to 30 as 289 New Cases Diagnosed-Health Minister
18. Turkish-backed group, again, cuts water supply to 460,000 people in northeastern Syria
19. Syrian President Issues Amnesty, Reduces Sentences
20. Syria Confirms First Coronavirus Case as Fears Grow It Could Spread
21. Iraqi forces take over US base along Syrian border
22. High-risk Syria ups measures against coronavirus
23. Russia Satisfied with Turkey’s Military Patrols Along Syria’s M4 Highway
24. Turkey Imposing Curfew for People Over Age 65
25. War-ravaged Syria takes steps against coronavirus
26. War-Ravaged Syria Takes New Steps Against Coronavirus, Says No Recorded Cases Yet
27. Syrian Kurdish authorities ease military draft demands for Kurds abroad
28. Greece: 11 Arrests, Arms Seized in Turkey-Linked Terror Raid
29. Turkey denies reports of troop pullback in Syria
30. Turkey to suspend all scientific and culture events in latest coronavirus measure
31. PKK: Let’s celebrate Newroz!
32. Doctors in northwest Syria brace for ‘devastating’ coronavirus
33. Turkey says it sent 500,000 coronavirus test kits to United States
34. Turkey-backed rebels violate ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib
35. Students under investigation for refusing to sing Turkish national anthem
36. US slaps sanctions on Syria defence minister for Idlib assault
37. Turkey Confirms First Coronavirus Death, More Than Doubles Cases to 98
38. Coronavirus in Syria: WHO to test for coronavirus
39. France Unlocks Extra €50 Mln for Humanitarian Aid to Syria
40. Gulf Keystone Petroleum suspends drilling activities at well in Iraqi Kurdistan
41. Journalists start Twitter campaign in Turkey
42. Top Kurdistan Region officials commemorate 32nd anniversary of Halabja genocide
43. Greece hopes EU-Turkey talks will ease tension over refugee crisis
44. Government scrambles to contain coronavirus as Turkish cases triple
45. Russia, Turkey curtail first joint military patrol in Syria’s Idlib
46. Syria elections postponed over coronavirus
47. UN says concerned about recent escalation in Iraq
48. More than 4.8 million children born into war in Syria: UN
49. Coronavirus: Turkey quarantines thousands of pilgrims from Saudi Arabia
50. Turkey-Russia Patrols Start Amid Protests on Syrian Highway
51. Syria, insisting it is coronavirus-free, takes broad steps to prevent spread
52. KRG imposes curfews, orders quarantine of those returning from abroad as infections continue
53. Russia, Turkey set joint patrols
54. New law abolishes honor killings’ mitigating excuse in Syria
55. Kurdish-led northern Syria says no coronavirus cases, implements countermeasures
56. Egypt helping Kurdish-led troops in Syria fighting Turkish forces
57. Turkey detains Kurdish human rights lawyers on terror claims
58. Turkish police detain HDP co-mayor of Kurdish city
59. Turkey Blames Kurdish Fighters for Syria Blast That Killed 4
60. US prepares biting Syria sanctions as Assad pummels Idlib
61. Turkey-based Kurdish publisher shortlisted for international ‘courage’ award
62. American, British soldiers killed in fresh rocket attack on Iraqi base
63. Babacan’s new party vows Turks can tweet without fear of arrest
64. Report: Greece secretly detains, abuses refugees 
65. Turkey threatens ‘heavy’ retaliation if Idlib ceasefire is broken
66. Turkey jails Kurdish ex-mayor for nine years for ‘terrorism’ links
67. Turkey says U.S. offering Patriot missiles if S-400 not operated
68. Turkey hopes for new refugee deal with EU before March 26

KURDISH NEWS BRIEFING, 6 DECEMBER 2019 – 21 DECEMBER 2019

http://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/2019/12/21/kurdish-news-briefing-6-december-2019-21-december-2019

 NEWS

1. HDP co-chair Buldan: The end of the tyrant is near
2. UN’s Mueller: Turkey’s offensive displaced over 200,000 people
3. MEPs call for immediate action to stop Turkey’s attacks on Kurds
4. Disciplinary sanction for Öcalan and other 3 prisoners in Imrali
5. Activists from Villiers-le-Bel take over Freedom for Öcalan Vigil
6. Dictator defends occupation and demands oil revenues in Geneva
7. KESK calls on workers to join rallies for a “dignified life”
8. Recognition of Armenian genocide will prevent Turkey’s “massacre” of Kurds: SDF commander
9. Turkey sentences 7 Syrian Kurds to aggravated life sentences on terror charges: report
10. First Kurdish candidate elected for the Labour Party
11. Over objections from Trump and Turkey, Senate passes Armenian genocide remembrance measure
12. The 70th NATO Summit and the Looming Crisis around Turkey
13. Russia opposes expansion of Turkey’s north Syria ‘safe zone’
14. “Öcalan is the only person who can lead the way to peace”
15. Wife of ailing, jailed Kurdish leader Demirtas relays message after visit
16. European Parliament to host Rojava Conference on 11 December
17. ‘In cold blood’: Syria Kurds say killed, robbed by Turkey proxies

NEWS BRIEFING DECEMBER 2019

WOMEN’S ALLIANCE

FOR KURDISTAN, IRAQ AND SYRIA

https://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/activities/womens-alliance-for-kurdistan-iraq-and-syria/

Defend the women’s revolution in northeastern Syria
October 9 2019/Roar Magazine
Since 2012, with the leading role of women, the people in North and East Syria have been building a social system that enables a peaceful, radical-democratic, gender-liberated life for all ethnic, religious and cultural groups in the region.
https://roarmag.org/2019/10/09/defend-rojava-tjke-statement/

 Eyewitnesses to the Rojava revolution: women empowerment
November 4 2019/Roar Magazine
What has been taking place in Rojava is easily one of the most inspiring and exciting experiments in autonomous self-government to ever exist. It is also one of the most massive, and gender inclusive, often compared to the Spanish Revolution of 1936, as well as the Zapatistas in Chiapas, Mexico. And yet, people outside the region know little about the different dimensions of the revolution taking place in Rojava. And now, this revolutionary territory is under military and political attack — its very existence at risk.
https://roarmag.org/essays/eyewitnesses-rojava-revolution-bookchin-sahin/

KURDISH NEWS BRIEFING – PROTESTS IN IRAN – 16 NOVEMBER – 6 DECEMBER 2019

INTRODUCTION

After using force to put down protests across the country, Iranian security forces launched a series of raids and detained many individuals who organized and participated in the protests. Hundreds of Kurds remain in Iranian jails since mass protests began on November 15. In Mazandaran Province’s Kelardasht city, Iranian authorities arrested a prominent Kurdish writer and activist named Mozhgan Kawasi. Kawasi was accused of “supporting the protests” in the Kurdish region. In Bokan city, Iranian intelligence officers (Ettel’aat) arrested a Kurdish activist named Azad Mahmodian. Concurrently, Fereshta Chraghy, a Kurdish journalist and member of the Yarsani religious minority, was arrested in Sarpol-e Zahab while dozens of activists and demonstrators were detained in Kermanshah, Marrivan, Sanandaj, Saqqez, Salas-e Bawajani, and Javanrud. According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Association (KMMK), Iranian security forces have killed 300 people and wounded over 4,000 since November 15.

NEWS IN BRIEF Update – Turkish invasion of Rojava/North East Syria – No 8

No 8  18 – 27 Nov 2019

https://peaceinkurdistancampaign.com/2019/11/27/news-in-brief-update-turkish-invasion-of-rojava-north-east-syria-no-8-18-27-nov-2019/

For all of the latest developments, see these sources:

 Rojava Information Center:

 https://twitter.com/RojavaIC

 https://rojavainformationcenter.com

ANF English:

 https://anfenglishmobile.com/

Hawar News:

 https://www.hawarnews.com/en/

Women Defend Rojava:

 http://womendefendrojava.net/en/

 

NEWS IN BRIEF Update – Turkish invasion of Rojava/North East Syria – No 7 9 – 17 Nov 2019

For all of the latest developments, see these sources:

Rojava Information Center:

https://twitter.com/RojavaIC

https://rojavainformationcenter.com

ANF English:

https://anfenglishmobile.com/

Hawar News:

https://www.hawarnews.com/en/

Women Defend Rojava:

http://womendefendrojava.net/en/

 

NEWS

‘No Friends But the Mountains.’ What Life Looks Like for the Kurds of Syria, Now That the U.S. Has Pulled Back
14 Nov 2019 | Karl Vick, TIME
The modern Middle East was formed exactly 100 years ago when, in the wake of World War I, the victors began creating new countries. Among the populations deemed deserving of nationhood — along with Armenians and Azeris — were the Kurds.
https://time.com/longform/kurds-syria-refugees/

NEWS IN BRIEF Update – Turkish invasion of Rojava/North East Syria – No 6 30 Oct-5 Nov 2019

For all of the latest developments, see these sources

Rojava Information Center:

https://twitter.com/RojavaIC

https://rojavainformationcenter.com

 ANF English:

 https://anfenglishmobile.com/

 Hawar News:

https://www.hawarnews.com/en/

 

 We stand in solidarity with Rojava, an example to the world

1 Nov 2019 | LaDonna Brave Bull Allard et al., The Guardian

Leaders from social movements, communities and First Nations from around the world, including LaDonna Brave Bull Allard, Eve Ensler and Stuart Basden on the Turkish invasion in north-east Syria

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/01/we-stand-in-solidarity-with-rojava-an-example-to-the-world

NEWS IN BRIEF Turkish invasion of Rojava/North East Syria – No 4 14 – 20 October

For all of the latest developments, see these sources

Rojava Information Center:

https://twitter.com/RojavaIC

https://rojavainformationcenter.com

ANF English:

https://anfenglishmobile.com/

Hawar News:

https://www.hawarnews.com/en/

 

Turkish Proxies Appear to Be Using White Phosphorus in Syria

October 17, 2019 | Lara Seligman, Foreign Policy

Turkish-backed forces appear to be using munitions loaded with white phosphorus—a chemical that can maim and kill when it comes in contact with human flesh—in their violent campaign against Kurdish fighters in northern Syria, Foreign Policy has learned.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/10/17/turkish-proxies-chemical-weapons-syria-kurds/

 

Syria: Damning evidence of war crimes and other violations by Turkish forces and their allies

18 October 2019 | Amnesty International

Turkish military forces and a coalition of Turkey-backed Syrian armed groups have displayed a shameful disregard for civilian life, carrying out serious violations and war crimes, including summary killings and unlawful attacks that have killed and injured civilians, during the offensive into northeast Syria, said Amnesty International today.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/10/syria-damning-evidence-of-war-crimes-and-other-violations-by-turkish-forces-and-their-allies/

NEWS IN BRIEF on Turkish military invasion of Syria 10 October 2019

8-9 October 2019

Kurdish soldiers I spoke to feared Trump would be a treacherous ally. But the scale of his betrayal is terrifying

9 October 2019|Patrick Cockburn, The Independent

We are already on the downslope leading to the ethnic cleansing of up to 2 million Kurds in the vast triangle of land which they call Rojava in northeast Syria.