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Rudaw Net
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
CHP picks Imamoglu for Turkey's presidency
Also in Turkey Turkish main opposition elects acting mayor for Istanbul PKK demands legal guarantees to lay down arms 12 suspects arrested in connection with attack on Iraq's consulate in Istanbul: Turkish media Turkish FM to visit US for talks on Kurdish groups, reconstruction of Syria A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey's main opposition Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) on Thursday nominated Istanbul's popular sacked mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as its presidential candidate for the 2028 elections. 'The CHP Party Assembly unanimously decided that Ekrem Imamoglu will be the presidential candidate,' the opposition media outlet ANKA said. Imamoglu, 53, was sacked from his position on Sunday following a court order on corruption charges. He is seen as the main rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the upcoming 2028 presidential race, and his arrest has triggered massive nationwide protests and unrest. Ozgur Ozel, the leader of the CHP, said on Sunday that 14,850,000 people voted for Imamoglu in the party's primary as presidential candidate. The protests triggered a crackdown from Turkish police and security forces, who by Thursday had detained over 1,800 people, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya His arrest came days after he was detained as part of an extensive investigation into a criminal organization. Prosecutors say that 99 suspects, including Imamgolu, were involved in bribery, extortion, fraud, unlawful data acquisition, and tender rigging, according to Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency. Several Western countries have condemned the sacking of Imamoglu, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Washington on Tuesday that his country is concerned about the recent crackdown on protesters in Turkey.
Rudaw Net
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
PKK demands legal guarantees to lay down arms
Also in Turkey 12 suspects arrested in connection with attack on Iraq's consulate in Istanbul: Turkish media Turkish FM to visit US for talks on Kurdish groups, reconstruction of Syria Hundreds of thousands of Kurds celebrate Newroz in Istanbul Russia extradites former HDP representative to Turkey A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Tuesday said the group cannot lay down arms or dissolve unless political and legal reforms are made. Bese Hozat, the co-chair of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), said the Turkish government has not taken any steps for the process to progress. "The fundamental requirement for the PKK to lay down its arms is the formation of a democratic political and legal dimension. Without this, the PKK cannot lay down its arms or dissolve itself,' she emphasized. PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan issued a historic message in late February telling the group to convene a congress and 'make the decision to integrate with the state and society; all groups should lay down their arms and the PKK should dissolve itself.' The message was relayed through the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), which has been mediating peace efforts between Ankara and the PKK, including holding meetings with Ocalan. In October, Devlet Bahceli, leader of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), called on Abdullah Ocalan to address the Turkish parliament and announce the dissolution of the PKK. He also suggested that Ocalan should benefit from the 'right to hope' law, which could pave the way for his release if certain conditions are met. However, Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc has repeatedly stated that there is no legal basis for granting Ocalan any right to release under the "right to hope" regulation. The law concerns prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment who are otherwise ineligible for conditional release. Ocalan, who founded the PKK in 1978 and launched a war against the Turkish state six years later, has been jailed on Imrali Island since 1999. The PKK leader's message sparked hope for an end to the conflict that has taken 40,000 lives. "You are starting such a serious process; of course, you will change the legislation. If you are serious and sincere, you will change that legislation," Hozat said, commenting on Tunc's position. Following Ocalan's message, the PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire but set their leader's release from prison as a precondition to laying down arms and disbanding. The group said it cannot make such decisions without the physical attendance of their leader at the congress he urged for.
Rudaw Net
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
12 suspects arrested in connection with attack on Iraq's consulate in Istanbul: Turkish media
Also in Turkey Turkish FM to visit US for talks on Kurdish groups, reconstruction of Syria Hundreds of thousands of Kurds celebrate Newroz in Istanbul Russia extradites former HDP representative to Turkey CHP says nearly 15 million voted for ex-mayor Imamoglu as presidential candidate A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Istanbul police have arrested 12 suspects in connection with the armed attack on Iraq's consulate general in the city, Turkish media reported on Monday. The pro-government Daily Sabah newspaper said that Turkish authorities 'arrested [a suspect identified by the initials] Y.A., who had assisted two of the suspects in escaping and finding shelter after the attack. The mastermind behind the assault identified [by the initials] B.E. was captured.' During searches of the suspects' residences, police seized the long-barreled weapon used in the attack, a stolen motorcycle, and a vehicle linked to the criminal organization linked to the attack, the Daily Sabah added. On Friday, Iraq's foreign ministry stated that unknown assailants 'used a Kalashnikov rifle firing eight bullets at the facade of the building before fleeing the scene.' Turkish authorities sealed off the street around the consulate and launched an investigation, the ministry said, adding that it is 'continuously following up with the relevant Turkish authorities to ensure the circumstances of the incident are uncovered and the perpetrators are held accountable." Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli stated on Saturday that the attack was carried out by two assailants on a motorcycle, who opened fire at the consulate in Istanbul's Sisli district. On the day of the attack, Turkish police confirmed that 'no injuries were recorded in the attack' and that police forces 'were advised to increase security and wear bulletproof vests,' according to the Turkish opposition daily Cumhuriyet.
Rudaw Net
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Baghdad seizes 1.1 tons of drugs in joint effort with Erbil, Riyadh
Also in Middle East Turkish FM advises Damascus to grant all Kurdish rights KDP president, SDF chief discuss the unity of Syria's Kurds President Barzani welcomes landmark SDF-Damascus agreement CENTCOM chief meets SDF commanders, key leaders during Middle East visit A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq on Sunday announced the seizure of some 1.1 tons of Captagon, flowing in from Syria, with the help of the Kurdistan Region and Saudi Arabia. The capture is part of an ongoing counter-narcotics effort that saw Baghdad seize some 2.86 tons of illicit substances since the beginning of 2025. The Iraqi interior ministry spokesperson Miqdad Miri stated that Baghdad's narcotics control directorate, 'based on [intelligence] information it received from the Saudi [General Directorate of] Narcotics Control' and in cooperation with the narcotics control directorates of Erbil and Sulaimani, was able to carry out a 'precise and specialized operation' that led to the seizure of a truck laden with some 1,100 kilograms of Captagon pills coming from Syria towards Iraq, through Turkey. Miri added that the perpetrators involved in the smuggling were arrested and their network was dismantled in an operation that 'was carried out under high confidentiality monitoring and pursuit.' In early March, Iraq's narcotics control directorate reported that Baghdad has seized some 1.75 tons of illicit substances since the beginning of 2025 and made 2,000 arrests in the process. Three months prior, in December, the narcotics directorate revealed that a total of six tons and 183 kilograms of illicit drugs were seized in 2024, with 14,483 suspects arrested. Among these, 144 individuals have been sentenced to death for international drug smuggling, while 454 local dealers were sentenced to life in prison - a term of 20 years. Speaking to Rudaw in late February, the head of Iraq's Security Media Cell Major General Saad Maan stated that drug trafficking is 'the most widespread crime' in Iraq, highlighting that Erbil and Baghdad are working jointly and with regional neighbours to address the issue. Maan also said that 'drugs are almost exclusively imported' into Iraq and that there have been 'failed attempts' to manufacture Crystal and Captagon - the most commonly used types of psychotropic substances - within the country. Of note, Crystal is often referent to Crystal meth; however, it could also refer to other crystalline forms of drugs including MDMA and uncut cocaine. The drug trade, especially Captagon, is a growing concern in the Middle East, including Iraq. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) highlighted the escalating drug crisis in its 2024 report, revealing a staggering 3,380 percent increase in Captagon seizures in Iraq from 2019 to 2023. In 2023 alone, over 4.1 tons of Captagon tablets were seized, the report noted, adding that the drugs trafficked in Iraq also include opium, heroin, hashish, and methamphetamine. UNODC cautioned that Iraq 'is at risk of becoming a key node in the drug trafficking ecosystem spanning Southwest Asia, Africa, and Europe.' It connects trafficking routes carrying opiates from Afghanistan to Europe, and routes through the Arabian Peninsula to Eastern Africa. The UN organization further noted that drug trafficking is exacerbated by Iraqi armed groups whose 'cross-border ties and economic interests contribute to cross-border trafficking,' adding that the country's 'recent history of armed conflict and corruption has worsened trafficking conditions.' Syria, under fallen dictator Bashar al-Assad, was a major source for the Captagon trade. The drug was one of the power cards used by the Assad regime for political leverage and his brother Maher is believed to have been largely behind the illegal business. With the collapse of his rule, observers have urged the international community to make ending the Captagon trade among the prerequisites for providing relief to the new Syria leadership. For its part, the Iraqi government has said it will continue to fight the drug trade with the same determination that it combats terrorism.
Rudaw Net
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Turkey's AKP condemns openness to accept Israel support in Syria
Also in Middle East Saudi Arabia, Turkey condemn Assad loyalists for Syria clashes Jordan to host meeting of Syria's neighbors Turkish FM discusses Iraq, Kirkuk with Turkmen, Sunni Arab politicians UN condemns Israeli attacks in Syria A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) stated on Sunday that anyone urging Israel to support the Kurds in Syria is an "enemy" of the Kurds. The remarks come only days after Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) chief Mazloum Abdi expressed openness to accept Israeli support. 'If someone calls on Israel to help protect the Kurds, that person is an enemy of the Kurds,' said Omer Celik, AKP spokesperson, stressing, 'We state it clearly… anyone calling for Israel's intervention or seeking international intervention is pursuing a major provocation and acting as a subcontractor for other projects.' Celik's comments followed Abdi's statement last week that he would not reject Israeli support if offered. Abdi's remarks were in response to a comment by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu, who on Monday expressed openness to support minorities in Syria, namely the Druze and the Kurds. Celik slammed 'anyone advocating for Israel's support' as "an enemy of their own people.' The Israeli foreign minister and a senior Kurdish official in the SDF-led northeast Syria (Rojava) in January spoke on the phone and Kurds reportedly were given 'positive guarantees' by Israel regarding their future.
