Latest news with #Kumzari-Kurdish
Rudaw Net
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Berlin's international broadcaster to launch Kurdish-language programming: German politician
Also in World US delists Syria's HTS as 'terrorist' group, maintains Nusra Front alias label US revokes 'terrorist' designation for Syria's HTS Kumzari-Kurdish connection sparks speculation of shared heritage Kurdistan should do more for special needs students, says wheelchair-bound grad A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Germany's state-funded international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle (DW), is set to launch Kurdish-language programming, initially via digital platforms and later expanding to television, according to a German politician of Kurdish descent. Ali Ertan Toprak, a leading representative of the Kurdish Community in Germany, told Rudaw on Tuesday that DW has finalized its decision to begin producing content in Kurdish and is currently recruiting Kurdish-speaking staff to kickstart the project. 'Initially, the content will be available online via YouTube and social media platforms. Later, it will also be broadcast on the television channel,' Toprak explained, noting that the move comes after more than a year of lobbying and consultations with German officials. 'A year and a half ago, thanks to our efforts, we received approval to begin broadcasting in the Kurdish language. Through continued meetings with German Culture Minister [Claudia Roth], the decision was made to include Kurdish in DW's programming,' Toprak said, praising Roth for her support and openness toward the Kurdish community. 'The decision has been made, and preparations have been completed,' he emphasized, while acknowledging that 'the outlet may still need some time to fully implement the programming.' Toprak described the development as not only a 'source of pride and joy,' but also a significant step toward international recognition of the Kurdish language and culture. Germany hosts one of the largest Kurdish diasporas in Europe, with estimates ranging from one to two million people. In February, seven of twelve Kurdish candidates secured seats in Berlin's federal parliament, the Bundestag. Kosar Osman contributed to this report.
Rudaw Net
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
US delists Syria's HTS as 'terrorist' group, maintains Nusra Front alias label
Also in World US revokes 'terrorist' designation for Syria's HTS Kumzari-Kurdish connection sparks speculation of shared heritage Kurdistan should do more for special needs students, says wheelchair-bound grad UN nuclear watchdog inspectors leave Iran A+ A- WASHINGTON DC - The US revoked the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation for Syria's Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on Tuesday, but the group 'remains identified as an alias of Al-Nusrah Front,' which is still listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), a State Department spokesperson told Rudaw. The revocation of the FTO designation for HTS is 'effective July 8,' the spokesperson confirmed, adding that the State Department is currently "reviewing our remaining terrorist designations related to HTS and Syria, in accordance with the President [Donald Trump's] promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria.' In a memo dated June 23 and published on Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, 'In consultation with the Attorney General and Secretary of the Treasury, I hereby revoke the designation of Al-Nusrah Front, also known as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (and other aliases) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.' Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Secretary of State may revoke an FTO designation at any time, particularly if circumstances have changed or if the revocation supports US national security interests. Nusra Front, also known as Jabhat al-Nusra, was formed in 2012 as al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria and in 2016, it rebranded as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (JFS) and claimed to break from al-Qaeda, though ties were suspected to have continued. In 2017, JFS merged with other groups to form HTS. The US designated Nusra Front an FTO in December 2012 due to its links to al-Qaeda in Iraq and its activities in Syria. The designation, later updated to include JFS and HTS. Following a rapid offensive in early December, a coalition of opposition forces led by the now-dissolved HTS - then headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa - toppled the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa was in late January named Syria's interim president and has since upped efforts to normalize diplomatic relations with the international community, long severed under Assad's rule. US Secretary of State Rubio's revocation of Nusra Front and HTS's designation as an FTO notably came a week after the US President terminated Washington's comprehensive sanctions program on Syria. Trump had announced the move in mid-May as part of a broader strategy to normalize ties with the new Syrian leadership and 'to give them a chance at greatness,' he said during a speech in Riyadh. The State Department spokesperson told Rudaw on Tuesday that the revocation of HTS's designation as an FTO aligns with Trump's May announcement, which 'signified a turning point for Syria's reintegration into the global community and economy.' The decision, the spokesperson continued, marks 'an additional step towards fulfilling the President's vision of delivering sanctions relief for the Syrian people,' which is 'a critical element of a new relationship between Syria and the United States. 'The President is providing the Syrian government with the chance to promote peace and stability,' the spokesperson added. 'This is about opening up incredible opportunities around the region for peace and security.' Since the fall of Assad in December, the US has taken several steps to ease sanctions on Syria. In January, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License 24, authorizing specific humanitarian and essential service transactions. This was followed in late May by General License 25, which broadly authorized transactions across all sectors of Syria's economy - including investment, financial services, and petroleum trade - as well as re-engagement with the Commercial Bank of Syria. Also in May, the State Department issued a 180-day waiver under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, removing a key legal obstacle to reconstruction and economic engagement. However, targeted sanctions against individuals linked to the Assad regime, terrorism, and human rights abuses remain in effect.
Rudaw Net
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
US revokes 'terrorist' designation for Syria's HTS
Also in World Kumzari-Kurdish connection sparks speculation of shared heritage Kurdistan should do more for special needs students, says wheelchair-bound grad UN nuclear watchdog inspectors leave Iran Swedish gang leader arrested in Turkey A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States has revoked the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group that toppled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December. A memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and published on Monday confirmed the decision. The memo relayed by AFP is dated June 23 and was published in a preview of the Federal Register on Monday, ahead of official publication Tuesday. In it Rubio states, 'In consultation with the Attorney General and Secretary of the Treasury, I hereby revoke the designation of al-Nusra Front, also known as Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (and other aliases) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.' Rubio's decision, made "pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act," allows the Secretary of State to revoke an FTO designation at any time. The Act also mandates such revocation after a review if circumstances change or if it serves US national security interests. 'This determination shall be published in the Federal Register,' Rubio added, noting the 'revocation goes into effect upon publication' on Tuesday. In response to a query about the revocation by Rudaw's Diyar Kurda on Monday, a State Department spokesperson remarked, 'We do not comment on deliberations, or potential deliberations, related to terrorist designations.' Following a swift offensive, a coalition of opposition forces, led by the now-dissolved HTS - then-headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa who went by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani - in early December 8, toppled the Assad regime. Sharaa was appointed Syria's interim president in late January and has since sought to normalize ties with the international community, which had been severed under Assad. Nusra Front, also known as Jabhat al-Nusra, was formed in 2012 as al-Qaeda's official affiliate in Syria and led by Sharaa, then known as Jolani. In July 2016, Nusra Front rebranded itself as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (JFS) and announced a break with al-Qaeda, though many speculated covert ties continued. In January 2017, JFS merged with other armed groups to form HTS. The US State Department designated Nusra Front as an FTO in December 2012, citing links to al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) and accusing it of terrorist activities in Syria. The US described the group as "an attempt by AQI to hijack the struggles of the Syrian people for its own malign purposes" and emphasized its "violent, sectarian vision' contradicted 'the aspirations of the Syrian people, including the overwhelming majority of the Syrian opposition.' As Nusra Front evolved through JFS and HTS, the FTO designation was amended to include the new aliases. Of note, ahead of the revocation of the designation of Nusra Front and HTS, the US had in mid-December removed a $10 million bounty on Sharaa. US Secretary of State Rubio's revocation of Nusrah Front and HTS's designation as an FTO notably came a week after US President Donald Trump terminated Washington's comprehensive sanctions program on Syria. Answering a Rudaw question at a late June press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move is intended 'to promote and support the country's path to stability and peace,' confirming President Trump would terminate 'the United States sanctions program on Syria.' President Trump first announced the move in mid-May as part of a broader initiative to normalize relations with the new Syrian leadership and 'to give them a chance at greatness,' as he said during a speech in Riyadh. During the same visit to the Saudi capital, Trump met Sharaa alongside the Kingdom's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan participating remotely. Following the fall of Assad in December, the US has taken several incremental steps to ease sanctions on Syria. In January, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License 24, authorizing specific transactions for humanitarian aid and essential services. This was followed in late May by General License 25, which broadly authorized transactions across all sectors of Syria's economy, including investment, financial services, petroleum trade, and re-engagement with the Commercial Bank of Syria. Around the same time, the State Department issued a 180-day waiver under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act in late May, removing a major legal obstacle to reconstruction and economic engagement. Nonetheless, targeted sanctions on individuals linked to the Assad regime, terrorism, and human rights abuses remain in effect.
