KURDISTAN

Latest News

• Kirkuk Kurds refute Erdoğan 

  The citizens of Kirkuk protested Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent comments denying the Kurdish existence, “You are not there in Kirkuk”.They said: “The İmam Kasım neighborhood was where Kirkuk was founded, and it has been Kurdish since the day it was built.”
• HPG: 69 Turkish soldiers killed in Ağrı 

  HPG Press Office reported that 69 soldiers of the Turkish army were killed in operations carried out by guerrillas in the countryside of Ağrı’s Doğubayazıt district.
• Demolition of buildings completed in Sur’s Alipaşa neighbourhood 

  The Turkish state completed forced demolition of buildings and started base constructions in  Alipaşa neighbourhood of Amed’s historic Sur district.
• KRG: We are deeply disappointed in the US statement on referendum 

  Responding to the statement by Secretary Tillerson who had announced that “The U.S. does not recognize the independence referendum”, Spokesperson of the Southern Kurdistan Region Presidency said: “We deeply disappointed in the statement.”
• 'Kurds’ most powerful weapon against threats is national unity' 

  “National unity is the Kurdish people’s most powerful weapon against the threats by neighbouring countries” Hewre Penam, a prominent Kurdish intellectual in South Kurdistan said.
• Binarê Qendîl people: We can achieve independence through unity 

  Residents of the Qendîl region called on all political parties in South Kurdistan for unity.
• HPG: Several Turkish soldiers killed in Agri 

  People’s Defence Forces (HPG) released a statement about the ongoing clashes in Agri and said that several Turkish soldiers were killed.
• Van governate declares slain taxi driver as “PKK member” 

  The Van governate released a statement and claimed that the slain taxi driver Zafer Ceylan is a member of the PKK.
• Barzani and Ebadi to meet in Paris on October 4 

  Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi and KDP leader Massoud Barzani will meet in Paris on October 4.  It will be the first contact between the two leaders after the independence referendum in South Kurdistan.
• KCK’s Varto: There is no solution but national unity for Kurds 

  There is no solution other than national unity for Kurds, a member of KCK’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Serhad Varto said in a meeting with Kurdish intellectuals in Sulaymaniyah.
• Graves of PKK members attacked in Iğdır 

  Racist attacks on the cemeteries of Kurdish freedom fighters continue across Turkey.
• Secretary of Southern Kurdistan Parliament resigns 

  The secretary of Southern Kurdistan Parliament, Fakhradin Qadir, resigned from his post to protest two years-long closure of parliament by Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Southern Kurdistan presidency.
• Yuksekova explosion kills child, wounds another 

  An explosion killed one child and wounded another on Saturday in Yuksekova, a district of Hakkari province.
• Turkish army suffers losses in Ağrı countryside 

  Turkish troops that started an operation in Ağrı countryside have suffered losses in clashes with guerrillas. According to the Turkish media, 2 soldiers and 2 village guards were killed and 8 soldiers were wounded.
• Teachers in Southern Kurdistan to take to the streets again 

  Teachers in Southern Kurdistan will hold demonstrations to protest the delay of salary payment due to the economic crisis.
• Two detained by Turkish police at slain taxi driver’s funeral 

  Two relatives of slain taxi driver were arrested by Turkish police at the funeral ceremony in Van.
• Free Women’s Movement (TJA) member Bağrıyanık detained 

  Turkish police detained a prominent member of Free Women's Movement (TJA) in Van yesterday (Sep. 29).
• Turkish aerial activity in Qandil 

  Reports are coming through of Turkish aerial activity over Qandil region of Medya Defense Zones as the Turkish army continues its military activities and attacks against Southern Kurdistan territory.
• Guerrillas hit Turkish soldiers on operation in Hakkari 

  HPG guerrillas targeted the soldiers partaking in an operation in Hakkari countryside, which left one soldier dead and many others wounded.
• Co-mayor of Mardin’s Artuklu district jailed 

  Artuklu Co-mayor Sevinç Bozan has been arrested.
• “Turkish state bombs civilian areas in Southern Kurdistan” 

  A Kurdish official of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) accused Turkish state of bombing civilian areas in Southern Kurdistan and called on the UN to launch an investigation on the Turkish bombardments.
• Turkish warplanes shell Avashin and Zap 

  Turkish fighter jets are shelling the Avashin and Zap regions at Southern Kurdistan border.
• HPG statement on Turkish operation at Southern Kurdistan border 

  Turkish troops crossed into Southern Kurdistan and launched an operation against Tepê Xwedê and the surrounding area of Barzan region on 27 September.
• Iranian military helicopter crashes in Urmia 

  A helicopter of the Iranian regime army has crashed in Urmia city of Rojhilat, Eastern Kurdistan. Local sources say the helicopter has been downed.
• Police officers desecrate the graves of HPG and YPG members 

  Gravestones of HPG and YPG members in Van province have been damaged in yet another attack on the values of the Kurdish people.