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Amberin Zaman

Amberin Zaman

Al Monitor

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Iraqi Kurds lend hand as PKK leader negotiates plan for peace with Turkey

Iraqi Kurds lend hand as PKK leader negotiates plan for peace with Turkey

Abdullah Ocalan is expected to urge his men to lay down their arms and end a more than 40-year insurgency against the Turkish state, capping talks...

friday 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Mass arrests in Turkey as Erdogan courts Kurds, seeks to eliminate rivals

Mass arrests in Turkey as Erdogan courts Kurds, seeks to eliminate rivals

Erdogan is intensifying his crackdown on Kurdish and opposition groups in fear of rivals and political instability ahead of the 2028 elections.

18.02.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Squeezed between Turkey and Sharaa, Syria's Kurds face stark choices

Squeezed between Turkey and Sharaa, Syria's Kurds face stark choices

Syria’s Kurds risk losing autonomy amid Turkish opposition and uncertain US backing.

14.02.2025 7

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey escalates push to replace Kurds as top anti-ISIS force in Syria

Turkey escalates push to replace Kurds as top anti-ISIS force in Syria

Turkey is attempting to form a new coalition to combat ISIS remnants and replace the Pentagon-backed Kurdish forces in Syria.

13.02.2025 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

After Assad’s fall, Iran hopes to creep back through Syria's back door

After Assad’s fall, Iran hopes to creep back through Syria's back door

Iranian officials admitted they were "defeated very badly" with the fall of the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and their prospects for...

08.02.2025 9

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Pomp over substance marks Sharaa's first trip to Turkey as Syria's president

Pomp over substance marks Sharaa's first trip to Turkey as Syria's president

While the Turkish president lauded the visit as "historic," little of substance was announced and neither leader made any mention of an alleged...

05.02.2025 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Can Syria’s new Islamist rulers win their broken nation’s trust?

Can Syria’s new Islamist rulers win their broken nation’s trust?

While Syrians widely celebrated the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorial regime, many reserve judgement on their new Islamist leaders.

04.02.2025 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iran VP says government put off enforcing strict dress code

Iranian Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday his government had put off enforcing the country's strict Islamic dress code in order...

22.01.2025 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey, Kurds move toward peace deal as lawmakers meet with PKK leader Ocalan

Talks with the jailed PKK leader spark hope for ending Turkey's 40-year conflict amid shifting alliances and regional pressures.

22.01.2025 2

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Amberin Zaman

Kurdish leader Barzani, SDF's Kobane meet to seek common ground in Syria

The pair aim to bridge decades-old Kurdish divisions as shifting alliances reshape regional politics.

16.01.2025 8

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Amberin Zaman

Hamas approves Gaza truce deal: Palestinian sources close to talks

Hamas has approved a Gaza truce and hostage release deal, Palestinian sources close to negotiations said Wednesday, after mediator Qatar expressed...

15.01.2025 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iraqi Kurdish leader Barzani to meet Syria SDF commander Kobane in historic step

Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani will meet SDF commander Mazlum Kobane in a historic step toward easing regional tensions and advancing US-backed...

15.01.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 27 Palestinians

Gaza's civil defence agency said on Wednesday that Israeli strikes killed at least 27 people, as the military issued new evacuation calls in northern...

15.01.2025 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iraqi Kurdish leader Barzani to meet Syria SDF commander Kobane in historic first

Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani will meet SDF commander Mazlum Kobane in a historic step toward easing regional tensions and advancing US-backed...

15.01.2025 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Kurdish-led SDF says civilians killed as Turkey strikes Syrian dam

Turkish-backed forces are intensifying attacks on Kurdish-controlled areas, targeting civilians and critical infrastructure as fears grow over a...

08.01.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria's new Islamist rulers reduce Iraq's appetite for US troop withdrawal

Iraq's prime minister is heading to Iran to discuss concerns about Syria's new rulers, as Baghdad is considering the delay of the US troop...

08.01.2025 7

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US envoy works to reconcile rival Kurds in Syria as Turkey masses forces near Kobani

With the collapse of the Syrian regime in an offensive led by the Sunni militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its Turkey-backed allies, Syrian...

19.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey-backed Syrian factions end US-mediated ceasefire with Kurdish-led SDF

The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army has ended a ceasefire reached through US mediation last week, which had led to the withdrawal of the...

16.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria’s Kurds faced with all-out war as Turkey, Sunni allies target 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...

10.12.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

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...

10.12.2024 9

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey-backed forces advance on Syrian-Kurdish 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...

10.12.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria’s Kurds under opposition assault as Erdogan vows to protect Turkey from 'terror'

Clashes are intensifying as Turkey-backed forces push up against Kurdish fighters.

09.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria’s US-backed Kurdish forces seize Deir ez-Zor as Assad hangs by thread 

The developments came as Hayat Tahrir al Sham pressed its lightning offensive against Syrian government forces and is closing in on the country’s...

06.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey-backed militants target Kurdish rivals in Syria’s Manbij

The developments came as Hayat Tahrir al Sham pressed its lightning offensive against Syrian government forces and is closing in on the country’s...

06.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US-allied Syrian Kurdish woman commander: ISIS poised to carry 'fight to new level'

As Islamic State militants reportedly made advances in Syria on Thursday, the commander in chief of the Women’s Protection Units warned in an...

05.12.2024 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Israel says hit Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

Israel said it hit dozens of Hezbollah targets in strikes on Lebanon Monday after vowing retaliation for an attack claimed by Hezbollah, the...

03.12.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

What's ahead for HTS as Syria, Russia strike back and Turkey plots next move?

The Syrian government claims to have repelled the HTS advance on Hama, but pro-rebel sources claim the opposite.

02.12.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

UNRWA stops aid delivery via key Gaza-Israel crossing

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has halted the delivery of aid through the key Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza because of...

02.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria's embattled Assad seeks to shore up support after Aleppo loss

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sought to shore up support from his allies Sunday, after a monitor said a shock rebel offensive saw government...

02.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

After capturing Aleppo, Turkey-backed militants attack Syria's Kurds

While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has yet to comment on the events, HTS could not have made its move without Ankara’s tacit blessing.

01.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Are Turkey's Erdogan and his nationalist ally about to fall out over Kurds?

For weeks assorted Turkish officials have been leaking claims that there is indeed daylight between the president and his ally of a sort that may...

13.11.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s Erdogan congratulates 'friend' Trump, but can bond survive friction over Gaza, Syria’s Kurds?

Despite occasional spats, Trump and Erdogan got along famously during the former president's first term.

06.11.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iraqi national security adviser finds 'pigeons' but no US forces at Kurdish airfield accused of targeting Iran

A senior Iraqi official has toured an air base in Iraqi Kurdistan and verified that it has been evacuated of US troops, despite Iranian claims that...

05.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey ousts 3 Kurdish mayors amid renewed efforts to forge deal with PKK

The dismissals come as Ankara has renewed talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party and as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan eyes a third term.

04.11.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Trump or Harris: Who do Kurds want as next US president?

In Turkey, as elsewhere around the globe, the outcome of the US presidential election is of great interest, and the country's 16 million ethnic...

01.11.2024 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syrian Kurdish commander: Turkey-PKK talks doomed if aimed at collapsing Kurds' self rule in Syria

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, the commander in chief of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazlum Kobane, denied PKK assailants...

28.10.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey pummels Kurds in Syria over Ankara attack amid overtures to PKK leader Ocalan

The timing of the attacks has spurred speculation that hawks on both sides are seeking to torpedo efforts to end the conflict between the Turkish...

24.10.2024 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Erdogan accuses Israel of wanting to wage war on Turkey despite robust trade ties

These claims, which analysts have deemed absurd, are mainly aimed at appeasing his Islamist base and distracting the broader public from their...

08.10.2024 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

As Israel steps up attacks on Syria, is Bashar al-Assad next?

While targeting Assad and his brother would destabilize the regime and potentially deprive Hezbollah of its rear base, an Israeli source has denied...

03.10.2024 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey's FM met with Nasrallah days after Oct. 7 — does that mean he's 'pro-Iran'?

The recent revelation by Hakan Fidan has refocused attention on the top Turkish diplomat's supposed fondness for Iran.

30.09.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

How ISIS brides held by Syria’s Kurds are smuggled to suitors in Europe

The women are finding their prospective husbands on the internet using smuggled mobile phones.

19.09.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Amal Clooney joins Europe's legal battle to free Turkey's Osman Kavala

The Clooney Foundation for Justice, co-founded by international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, has intervened in the case of jailed Turkish...

13.09.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Libyan Central Bank standoff fuels conflict fears as Turkey, Russia send weapons

For the sixth time since 2021, the European Union’s naval air mission was blocked from inspecting the cargo of a Turkish-flagged vessel suspected...

11.09.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s Fidan calls on Arab League to unite against Israel in Egypt meeting

This was the first time in more than a decade that Turkey was invited to join the summit.

10.09.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkish soldier killed in PKK clash in Iraqi Kurdistan as Baghdad presses Ankara to withdraw

Recent civilian deaths have reignited calls from Iraqi officials for the withdrawal of thousands of Turkish troops deployed across Iraqi Kurdistan.

09.09.2024 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Civilian toll rises in Turkey’s attacks against Kurdish militants in Iraq

The recent spike in Turkish attacks comes at an especially critical time as Iraq's Kurdistan Region prepares to hold long-delayed parliamentary...

05.09.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Civilian toll rises in Turkey’s attacks against Iraq’s alleged Kurdish militants

The recent spike in Turkish attacks comes at an especially critical time as Iraq's Kurdistan Region prepares to hold long-delayed parliamentary...

05.09.2024 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Once sworn enemies, Egypt’s Sisi and Turkey’s Erdogan to meet in Ankara

Despite more than a decade of hostility between Turkey and Egypt, ties appear to be on an upward trajectory.

04.09.2024 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Russia ups mediation efforts between Turkey, Syria as Assad drags feet

While Turkey is embracing Russia's role in attempting to mediate between Ankara and Damascus, the Syrian government wants a timetable for Turkey...

03.09.2024 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Azerbaijan’s FM to meet with Turkey’s Fidan in Ankara as Putin courts Baku

Turkey and Azerbaijan long enjoyed deep strategic ties, but relations have deteriorated since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan let slip that Ankara...

26.08.2024 1

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman