Latest news with #Turkey-PKK
Rudaw Net
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Duhok authorities hopeful PKK's dissolution will revive tourism
Also in Kurdistan First cancer hospital opens in Duhok Kurdish leaders, politicians welcome PKK's decision to disband Over 1,000 arrested on drug charges in Kurdistan this year: Officials Northeast of Erbil, locals celebrate town, heritage at annual festival A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Authorities in the Kurdistan Region's northern Duhok province are hopeful that tourism will flourish in the area after the Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) decision to dissolve and disband, with hundreds of villages in the province evacuated due to the Turkey-PKK war. 'The areas that have been evacuated due to the Turkey-PKK war are mostly tourist areas, so with the withdrawal of PKK guerrillas and the Turkish army, the tourism sector in Duhok province will further revive,' Shamal Hirori, spokesperson for Duhok's tourism board, told Rudaw on Monday. The PKK announced its dissolution and an end to its armed struggle against Turkey on Monday, marking what it described as a step toward a peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict with Ankara. The announcement followed a party congress held from May 5 to 7 to consider the late February call from jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan to disarm, dissolve the group, and pursue a political struggle. Hirori explained that stability along the Turkish border after the withdrawal of the PKK and Turkey, along with repopulating evacuated villages, 'will lead to attracting more tourists.' More than 400 villages in Duhok province have been evacuated or are at risk, and 118 villages in Erbil province's Sidakan district have been evacuated, according to the Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), a US-based human rights organization monitoring Ankara's operations in the Kurdistan Region. CPT member Kamaran Osman told Rudaw on Monday that 185 villages have been completely evacuated, 400 villages have not been able to be repopulated, and some are inhabited during the day and evacuated at night. Kurdistan Region's Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed reaffirmed Erbil's support for the peace process. 'The leadership of the Kurdistan Region has always expressed its support and backing for the [peace] process, and we will do whatever we can to facilitate this process. It's still too early to decide how and where the PKK will lay down its weapons,' Ahmed said. 'What's important is that the areas of the Kurdistan Region are freed from armed conflict, and citizens can return to their villages and areas, benefit from their vineyards and orchards again, and peace and stability return,' he added. Turkey has launched repeated large-scale operations and carried out military strikes across the border since the 1980s under the pretext of targeting the PKK. These operations have killed and injured hundreds of civilians, caused large-scale damage to the environment and civilian infrastructure, and displaced villagers from their homes as Turkey exerts control over the border area. Hirori also indicated that after the potential withdrawal of the PKK and Turkey, a phase of renovating roads and electricity and providing services to these villages and areas will begin, after which doors will be opened to tourists. 'The border situation in Sidakan has been very calm for a long time, with no war or bombardment,' Sidakan district mayor Ihsan Chalabi told Rudaw. 'Currently, more than half of Sidakan's border territory has been evacuated due to wars and conflicts, which includes 118 villages,' he added. Sidakan covers 1,617 square kilometers. According to the mayor, if the PKK's disarmament process succeeds, more than 810 square kilometers will be returned to the district administration's control. A 2022 report by the Iraqi defense ministry showed that over 4,000 Turkish soldiers are present inside Iraqi territory, having advanced up to 105 kilometers, with the deepest incursion at the Zilkan military base in Nineveh province. Jabar Yawar, a military expert and former secretary-general of the Peshmerga ministry, told Rudaw that per a security agreement between Baghdad and Ankara, 'if the Kurdistan Workers' Party lays down arms, Turkey will withdraw from Iraqi territory.' Data provided to Rudaw by CPT shows that more than 850 people have been killed in the Kurdistan Region since 1990 as a result of border bombardments by Turkey and Iran, with the majority of casualties caused by Turkish airstrikes and attacks. The PKK was founded in 1978 in response to the oppression of the Kurdish population in Turkey. It initially struggled for an independent Kurdistan but now calls for greater political and cultural rights within Turkey. Ankara and its Western allies consider the group a terrorist organization. The International Crisis Group has a detailed visual explainer on the repercussions of the clashes since 2015.
Rudaw Net
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Interior ministry launches investigation into football brawl in Sulaimani
Also in Kurdistan Scuffles erupt between football fans in Sulaimani President Barzani welcomes new UK ambassador to Iraq, discusses bilateral ties Kurdistan Region leaders commemorate Kurdish Journalism Day DEM Party urges Kurdish support for Turkey-PKK peace process A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region's interior ministry on Wednesday launched an investigation into scuffles that erupted a day prior between football fans in Sulaimani, leaving several people injured. The interior minister ordered the formation of a committee that 'will visit the incident site' and 'investigate the incident,' according to a statement from the Region's interior ministry. A day before, several people were injured after clashes broke out between supporters of Sulaimani's Newroz Sports Club and Zakho Sports Club from Duhok, following a match held at Newroz's home stadium in Sulaimani, east of the Kurdistan Region. The interior ministry on Wednesday noted that 'the undesirable situation has been brought under control,' and Sulaimani provincial police forces have brought 'the situation back to normal, protecting the lives of players and fans alike.' 'We ask fans of both clubs and citizens to act with sportsmanship, and we urge media outlets to cooperate in promoting sportsmanship and brotherhood, which are fundamental principles of competition between all Kurdistan and Iraq clubs and sports in general,' the ministry added. Newroz SC and Zakho SC were facing off as part of the Iraq Stars League. As the match neared its final moments and was still goalless, tensions escalated. Fans stormed the field, leading to violent confrontations among supporters and even with some players. Speaking to Rudaw, Newroz SC coach Qahtan Yousif stated that 'an offside goal by Zakho Club was the source of the problems. The goal should not have counted.' 'Some Zakho Club fans disrupted the situation with inappropriate comments and the situation got out of control,' Yousif added. Footage obtained by Rudaw showed fans tossing plastic seats at each other from the stands. At least one fan appeared to have suffered a serious head injury that left him unconscious. Two other bloodied fans were also seen being rushed off the field by medics, who transferred the injured to nearby hospitals. A Zakho SC fan told Rudaw that his eight-month-old daughter went missing during the chaos, but was found shortly afterward. In Matchweek 29 of the league, Newroz SC had aimed to break its streak of two consecutive draws and bring joy to its team and fans, especially given the dissatisfaction of the coaching staff. For its part, Zakho SC, having lost its last two matches, entered Tuesday's game under pressure. Frustrated and angry fans were hoping for a much-improved performance from their team after the disappointing results of the previous two matches.
Rudaw Net
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Rudaw Net
Bloody clashes erupt between football fans in Sulaimani
Also in Kurdistan President Barzani welcomes new UK ambassador to Iraq, discusses bilateral ties Kurdistan Region leaders commemorate Kurdish Journalism Day DEM Party urges Kurdish support for Turkey-PKK peace process Soran police arrest couple on suspicion of invalid marriage A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Several people were injured after clashes broke out between fans of Sulaimani's Newroz Sports Club and Zakho Sports Club from Duhok, following a match held at Newroz's home stadium in Sulaimani, in the east of the Kurdistan Region, on Tuesday. The two teams were facing off as part of the Iraq Stars League, and with the match nearing its final moments and still goalless, tensions escalated. Fans stormed the pitch, leading to violent confrontations among supporters and even with some players. Footage obtained by Rudaw showed plastic seats being thrown from the stands, and at least one fan appearing to suffer a serious head injury that left him unconscious. Two other bloodied fans were also seen being rushed off the field by medics, who transferred the injured to nearby hospitals. While the exact cause of the clashes remains unclear, an injured Zakho SC fan told Rudaw that his eight-month-old daughter went missing during the chaos, but was found shortly afterward. He claimed the violence erupted after the referee awarded a penalty against one of the players. 'My daughter is eight months old, she went missing in the crowd. My leg is injured, and my whole body is in pain,' he said. Another fan told Rudaw that the clashes erupted after Zakho scored a goal that was believed to be offside. 'The root of the problem was that Zakho SC scored a goal that was offside, and the referee raised his flag. After that, Zakho fans began throwing bottles at the linesman to express their frustration.' In Matchweek 29 of the league, Newroz SC had aimed to break its streak of two consecutive draws and bring joy to its team and fans, especially given the dissatisfaction of the coaching staff. For its part, Zakho SC, having lost its last two matches, entered Tuesday's game under pressure. Frustrated and angry fans were hoping for a much-improved performance from their team after the disappointing results of the previous two matches. This is a developing story.
Rudaw Net
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Kurdistan Region leaders commemorate Kurdish Journalism Day
Also in Kurdistan DEM Party urges Kurdish support for Turkey-PKK peace process Soran police arrest couple on suspicion of invalid marriage KDP reviews candidates for ministerial posts amid PUK talks Erbil hosts four-day art gallery by Iranian Kurdish artist A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish leaders on Tuesday commemorated the 127th anniversary of the publication of the first Kurdistan newspaper and the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate, emphasizing the vital role of the press in promoting public awareness, democracy, and freedom of speech. Tuesday marks the anniversary of the publication of the first issue of "Kurdistan," the first Kurdish-language newspaper in history. Issued in Cairo, Egypt by renowned literary figure Miqdad Medhat Baderkhan in 1898, the issue was written in the Kurmanji dialect. A total of 31 issues of the newspaper were published in the span of four years. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in a statement extended his congratulations to all journalists on the occasion, reaffirming the Region's commitment to press freedom. He highlighted the 'unwavering commitment to press freedom and the importance of protecting free expression, which are fundamental pillars of democracy, societal development, and a thriving community.' The Kurdish president added that the Kurdistan Region 'will continue our efforts to foster a supportive environment for journalists, ensuring their access to information remains free from restrictions or barriers, and that any violations of journalism laws are appropriately addressed.' Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also congratulated journalists on the occasion and reaffirmed the government's support for press freedom. 'We reaffirm the Kurdistan Regional Government's commitment to freedom of opinion, freedom of media and journalism work, and facilitating the work of media professionals,' the Kurdish prime minister said. He called for journalism to be practiced 'taking into account the law, ethics, and international standards.' Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani, in a statement marking the occasion, described journalism as 'an important factor in promoting national awareness and preserving and enriching the Kurdish language.' The KDP leader also emphasized journalism as an important tool for representing the Kurdish people's just cause and their peace-loving culture. Kurdish authorities have repeatedly faced criticism by international organizations and foreign missions for their treatment of journalists as well as for imposing restrictive measures on the press. In mid-January, a report from the Metro Center for Journalists' Rights and Advocacy emphasized that the number of press freedom violations committed in the Kurdistan Region in 2024 has declined. However, the Kurdish watchdog warned that journalists still face serious problems, especially in accessing information.
Rudaw Net
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
English-language books increasingly popular in Kurdistan Region
Also in Kurdistan Iraqi PM Sudani to visit Erbil Saturday President Barzani meets Syria's Sharaa in Turkey Iraqi parliament to vote Monday on Halabja province status President Barzani discusses Turkey-PKK peace with Erdogan A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - More and more people in the Kurdistan Region are reading English-language books, especially amongst the youth. English titles are in demand at the 17th International Book Fair in Erbil, which kicked off on Wednesday. 'I mostly read books in English. Since childhood, I would watch English materials - YouTube, movies, and channels - and I would also mostly read English books because my curriculum is in English,' Malak Bilal, a student, told Rudaw's Horvan Rafaat at the fair on Friday. Students Dler and Yousef Bayiz, who came from Duhok, also said they read English books, finding it easier to understand the English text in scientific books. Bookstore owners say they have tried to make all the latest titles from the United States, the United Kingdom, and European countries available to readers. 'Because of the curriculum available in our country and the English-medium private schools, readers in the English language have increased. There are people who translate books from Kurdish, but it is not like the original book in English,' said Hussein Salim, the owner of Haval Bookstore in Erbil. Of the 412 vendors at the fair, only five are specialized in English-language titles, but they are the most in-demand. The fair, organized by the al-Mada Foundation for Media, Culture and Arts, runs for 11 days. Some 50 publishers from 22 countries are participating in the book fair, according to spokesperson Bewar Perasali.
