Syrians, primarily the Kurds, have positioned the US envoy to Syria as a “political contractor” who has overstepped his role as a neutral envoy. They consider him “complicit and biased,” serving regional interests at the expense of internal Syrian understandings. Syrian activists and observers of Syrian affairs have condemned recent …
Bêtir »Kurdish parties condemn Iran’s repression
Seven Kurdish political parties, including PJAK and PDKI, condemned Iran’s intensified repression in a July 9, 2025, statement, denouncing arbitrary arrests, false charges, and executions of Kurdish political prisoners. They urged global human rights groups, the UN, and supporters to act urgently to stop executions and called for united protests …
Bêtir »Ocalan calls for support: Peace process a “historical victory, not defeat”
In his latest message Abdullah Ocalan expressed strong support for the ongoing negotiation process with the Turkish state aimed at ending armed conflict. In a new video message published on June 9th, imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan urged everyone to support the negotiation process with the Turkish state. He described …
Bêtir »Iran hands death sentences, long prison terms to Kurdish civilians over ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ protests
Five Kurdish civilians were sentenced to a total of 11 death penalties, lengthy prison sentences, and financial penalties for their involvement in the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ protests in Bukan. Five Kurdish civilians were sentenced to a total of 11 death penalties, lengthy prison sentences, and financial penalties for their involvement …
Bêtir »Environmental Disaster Looms as Mining and Oil Drilling Intensify in Gabar Mountain
Environmental activists and local residents warn that continued exploitation could lead to irreversible damage to one of Kurdistan’s most significant natural areas. Expanding mining and oil drilling operations in the Gabar Mountain, located in north Kurdistan, have reached alarming levels, sparking widespread environmental concerns. The extensive use of explosives for …
Bêtir »DEM Party’s Imralı Delegation Meets Erdogan
DEM Party’a statement highlighted the “continuing mutual will” to advance the peace process. A delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, known as the Imralı Delegation, held a critical meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan yesterday at the Beştepe Presidential Palace in Ankara. The DEM Party was represented by senior MPs …
Bêtir »International delegation in Istanbul demands Kurdish leader Ocalan’s release
International delegation visiting Istanbul has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan A 39-member international delegation visiting Istanbul has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and other political prisoners in Turkey. The delegation’s visit is part of the “I …
Bêtir »Pro-Kurdish Media Platform Medya News Ceases Operations
Since its founding, Medya News had established itself as a leading source of news and analysis on Kurdish affairs, publishing extensive written and visual content covering various aspects of the Kurdish question. Medya News, a prominent pro-Kurdish media platform, has announced that it ceased operations as of 30 June, ending …
Bêtir »“French Lawmaker Calls Defense Pact with Djibouti a ‘Colonial Relic’
“This treaty is no longer compatible with our values or the nature of our relationship with Djibouti,” Lecoq said in his address. He criticized what he called France’s “complicity” in maintaining an authoritarian regime in Djibouti, accusing French governments—past and present—of turning a blind eye to political repression, human rights …
Bêtir »FRUD: The Day Forest devastated by Djibouti’s armed drones
FRUD claimed that The Day National Park was bombed by the drones between June 2/3. The Day National Park is one of the very few forested and wettest areas of Djibouti, with a total area of approximately 5,900 hectares. Djibouti’s Army operations against Afar resistance forces sometimes result in the …
Bêtir »“From Brussels to Kurdistan: N-VA’s Take on Autonomy and National Rights”
Interview: Necat Ayaz Confederalism ensures more efficient decision-making by clearly defining competencies for each region. It reduces the need for constant negotiations and deadlocks. Unlike the current federal model, where both sides must compromise on nearly all major policies, Confederalism grants Flanders and Wallonia full autonomy over key matters. Cooperation …
Bêtir »Between Geopolitics and Repression: The FRUD’s Armed Struggle for Justice in Djibouti
Interview: Necat Ayaz The geographical and eminently geostrategic configuration of the Afar people, who occupy up to 1,000 km of the Red Sea coast (from Massawa in Eritrea to Arta in Djibouti), singularly complicates the struggle for their democratic rights and emancipation. However, it is extremely important to emphasize that …
Bêtir »Ocalan`s Call, Silence of Intellectuals and Risk
The content of this announcement has since become a permanent issue for the Kurds. Unfortunately, despite its importance, aside from a few attempts, the content of the letter has not been deeply discussed. It has been a month since Abdulah Ocalan called for disarmament and dissolution of the PKK. The …
Bêtir »Kurdish Women Rising: A Conversation with Nelly Jazra on Struggle and Autonomy
Interview: Necat Ayaz As I went deeper into the history of Kurds, I discovered that women had always played an integral part role in the struggle. Despite the sociological realities of Kurdish society, many women have been actively engaged in the struggle for a long time. The role of women …
Bêtir »Kurdish Unity in a Divided Region: The Prospects for Peace and Autonomy in Northern and Rojava Kurdistan”
Interview: Necat Ayaz The governing style, political outlook, social bases and economic system of the PYD (and PKK) and the KDP are just too different. The two have sought to undermine each other’s credibility and legitimacy for so long that it seems difficult to overcome such differences. They also compete …
Bêtir »Turkey’s 2024 crackdown on Kurdish language and culture exposed
A 2024 report by the Kurdish Language Rights Monitoring and Reporting Platform reveals Turkey’s systematic suppression of Kurdish identity, documenting 109 violations across multiple domains. A 2024 report by the Kurdish Language Rights Monitoring and Reporting Platform reveals Turkey’s systematic suppression of Kurdish identity, documenting 109 violations across multiple domains. …
Bêtir »Exploring Syria’s Future: Thomas Schmidinger on Rojava and Its Role
Perhaps one should take a look at long-standing federal systems such as Switzerland or the USA to see that these can also be well-functioning models for states that are characterized by high levels of diversity. In the evolving landscape of northern Syria, multiple forces compete for influence and control, reshaping …
Bêtir »Kurdish strategic wisdom in action
A recent analysis by Ezda Deniz Stara examines the historical roots of the Kurdish question in the Middle East and discusses why the region, and Syria in particular, have become a centre of war. She also discusses how the model proposed by imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan can show a …
Bêtir »Syria’s HTS Leader Holds First Talks with Kurdish-led SDF
The meeting between Ahmed al-Sharaa and the SDF is a cautious but meaningful step toward addressing Syria’s enduring divisions. While significant hurdles lie ahead, continued dialogue could play a critical role in shaping the country’s future amidst ongoing conflict and foreign interference. Syria’s HTS leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, held his first …
Bêtir »Kurdish winter solstice celebration: Gaxan symbolises cultural resilience
Gaxan, a Kurdish festival held between 13-29 December, celebrates the return of the sun, and is a symbol of cultural defiance. In historically oppressed regions like Dersim, it represents the survival of Kurdish identity against decades of repression by the Turkish state. Gaxan, the Kurdish solstice festival held from 13-29 …
Bêtir »Amnesty International calls for an end to Turkey’s ‘crackdown on peaceful dissent’
There has been a wave of protest in Turkey since Kurdish journalists Nazım Daştan and Cîhan Bilgin were killed in a Turkish drone strike in northeast Syria. The Turkish state has been cracking down hard on those who voice their anger. Amnesty International has issued a statement calling out Turkey …
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