NEWS
- Saleh Moslem speaks at EP: EU must speak up about Turkey’s invasion
- Turkey’s Kurdish politicians declare hunger strike over Ocalan’s fate
- Demos against Öcalan’s isolation spread across Southern Kurdistan
- Turkey tries to expand borders between parts of Kurdistan
- Citizens in Qamişlo: Turkey aims to destroy brotherhood of peoples
- Daraya agreement, another scenario of attacking Rojava
- Imminent disaster in Manbij amid lack of aid
- British volunteers in Syrian Kurd forces are ‘terrorists’, Turkey says
- Kurds in Crosshairs of Turkey’s Invasion of Syria
- Turkish EU bid ‘unrealistic’ while Erdogan in power – European commissioner
- Dressed up as women, ISIS militants try to infiltrate into Syrian town
- SDF-led Jarabulus council announces ceasefire with Turkey-backed rebels
- Assad regime, Turkey agree on fighting Kurds in Syria
- Arrest Demanded For Özgür Gündem Board Member Necmiye Alpay
- Human Rights Association: 320 Civilians Including 75 Children Killed in Operations
- Police Raid on Azadiya Welat
- Writer Vedat Türkeli Passes Away
OPINION, COMMENTARY, ANALYSIS
- EXCLUSIVE: ALAN KURDI’S GRANDFATHER BEGS WORLD TO ‘END MADNESS’ OF SYRIAN WAR
- Erdogan’s Waterloo: Turkey Invades And Occupies Syria
- Why is Turkey wasting its time arresting peace advocates?
- Vijay Prashad: Turkey’s Offensive Against ISIS & Press Crackdown is Really Just War on Kurds
- Welcome to demokrasi: how Erdoğan got more popular than ever
- Erdogan, You are A War Criminal Under International Law. Turkey Invades Syria, Kills Civilians. The “International Community” Applauds
- Turkey Continues to Terrorize Kurds
- ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkey is getting drawn into Syrian quagmire
- American YPG fighter: US backing Turkey-led Jarabulus operation is a slap in the face for Kurds
STATEMENTS
- Kurdish Movement Makes Statement on Jarablus: Attack on All Kurds
2. Turkish Enmity to the Kurds Continues
ACTION
Urgent Call for Kobane: The Turkish military is attacking Kurdish civilians in Kobane
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NEWS
- Saleh Moslem speaks at EP: EU must speak up about Turkey’s invasion
1 September 2016 / ANF News
A conference titled “The Urgent Situation in Northern Syria, Turkish Invasion, Europe’s Security and An Alternative to the Turkey Deal” has been held in the European Parliament in the Belgian capital Brussels today. The conference hosted by Slovakian EP deputy Branislav Skripek was held in Anna Politikovska Conference Hall. PYD Co-chair Saleh Moslem and David Vergili in the name of the European Syriac Union attended the conference as speakers. Attendance was high in the conference. Branislav Skripek gave the opening speech and said they were there to draw attention to the situation Rojava is in, and that “There is a serious fight against ISIS in Rojava. Everybody should take their part in it.”
http://anfenglish.com/news/saleh-moslem-speaks-at-ep-eu-must-speak-up-about-turkey-s-invasion
- Turkey’s Kurdish politicians declare hunger strike over Ocalan’s fate
1 September 2016 / Ekurd Daily
DIYARBAKIR-AMED, Turkey’s Kurdish region,— Kurdish campaigners in Turkey announced a hunger strike Wednesday to protest the lack of updates about the welfare of jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan who has been denied visitors since summer 2015.
http://ekurd.net/kurdish-hunger-strike-ocalan-2016-09-01
- Demos against Öcalan’s isolation spread across Southern Kurdistan
2 September 2016 / ANF News
As a watch demonstration was launched in Suleymaniye in protest of the isolation led by Tevgera Azadi, a march and a press statement were held in Çemçemal.
Tevgera Azadi started a two-day long watch tent in Nali Park in Suleymaniye. Suleymaniye Tevgera Azadi Co-chair Hacı Azad spoke on the demonstration and called for all the people of Southern Kurdistan to attend the demonstrations and stated that their demonstrations will continue in every front from now on.
https://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/demos-against-ocalan-s-isolation-spread-across-southern-kurdistan
- Turkey tries to expand borders between parts of Kurdistan
1 September 2016 / ANHA
KOBANI– Aldar Khalil a member of the Democratic Society Movements pointed out that the Turkish state is trying to expand the borders between Rojava and Bakur Kurdistan.
Activities and events denouncing the Turkish occupation of north Syria, building wall of shame between Kobani and Bakur Kurdistan continue.
http://en.hawarnews.com/turkey-tries-to-expand-borders-between-parts-of-kurdistan/
- Citizens in Qamişlo: Turkey aims to destroy brotherhood of peoples
30 August 2016 / ANHA
QAMIŞLO (Al-Qamishli) – Citizens in the city of Qamişlo condemned actions and occupation of the Turkish state in Jarablus and said Turkey aims to destroy the brotherhood of the peoples in the region.
http://en.hawarnews.com/citizens-in-qamislo-turkey-aims-to-destroy-brotherhood-of-peoples/
- Daraya agreement, another scenario of attacking Rojava
28 August 2016 / ANHA
QAMISHLO -Ibrahim Barakat a Kurdish writer and journalist said that Daraya agreement between the Baathist regime and its mercenaries is not but another attempt from Turkey and Assad regime to complicate the status quo in syria.
http://en.hawarnews.com/daraya-agreement-another-scenario-of-attacking-rojava/
- Imminent disaster in Manbij amid lack of aid
30 August 2016 / ANHA
MANBIJ – The health conditions in the city of Manbij are worsening each day.
Before Manbij was liberated, ISIS gangs had stolen many health tools and materials which as they left the city. Despite deteriorating conditions, international organizations have not provided any kind of health aids to Manbij.
http://en.hawarnews.com/imminent-disaster-in-manbij-amid-lack-of-aid/
- British volunteers in Syrian Kurd forces are ‘terrorists’, Turkey says
1 September 2016 / Middle East Eye
ISTANBUL, Turkey – Senior Turkish officials said their armed forces will confront as “terrorists” British and foreign volunteers fighting with the Kurdish YPG militia in Syria, and that any casualties will be the responsibility of their own governments.
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-british-ypg-terrorist-syria-874419624
- Kurds in Crosshairs of Turkey’s Invasion of Syria
31 August 2016 / Telesur
Despite a cease-fire between Kurdish militias and Syrian rebels, Ankara is vowing to press its offensive to “cleanse” areas west of the Euphrates.
Turkey insists it will continue its offensive against Kurdish militants in Northern Syria despite the declaration of a temporary cease-fire between Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army rebels and the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, which is comprised largely of rebel militias from the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, or PYD.
- Turkish EU bid ‘unrealistic’ while Erdogan in power – European commissioner
30 August 2016 / RT
Turkey is unlikely to join the European Union as long as its president remains in office, a top official from the bloc has said, adding that Ankara’s bid will be an issue for negotiations “for the time after Erdogan.”
In the current circumstances Turkey’s EU accession “is not realistic all through the next decade,” Guenther Oettinger, the European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, told Bild newspaper on Tuesday.
https://www.rt.com/news/357646-turkey-eu-accession-unlikely/
- Dressed up as women, ISIS militants try to infiltrate into Syrian town
31 August 2016 / ARA News
Syrian rebel fighters in the southern front of Daraa province captured Tuesday a group of ISIS militants dressed as women while trying to infiltrate into a rebel-held town, activists and eyewitnesses reported.
http://aranews.net/2016/08/dressed-women-isis-militants-try-infiltrate-syrian-town/
- SDF-led Jarabulus council announces ceasefire with Turkey-backed rebels
31 August 2016 / ARA News
The SDF-led Jarabulus Military Council on Tuesday announced a temporary ceasefire under auspices of the international coalition, after they withdrew south of al-Sajur river on Monday.
http://aranews.net/2016/08/sdf-led-jarabulus-council-announces-ceasefire-turkey-backed-rebels/
- Assad regime, Turkey agree on fighting Kurds in Syria
30 August 2016 / ARA News
Neither the Assad regime nor Turkey wants an indefinite U.S.-protected Kurdish zone in northeastern Syria, Nicholas A. Heras, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), told ARA News.
http://aranews.net/2016/08/assad-regime-turkey-agree-on-fighting-kurds-in-syria/
- Arrest Demanded For Özgür Gündem Board Member Necmiye Alpay
2 September 2016 / Bianet
As part of the investigation launched into the closed Özgür Gündem daily, writer Necmiye Alpay testified before prosecution today (August 31). Alpay has consequently been referred to court for arrest.
- Human Rights Association: 320 Civilians Including 75 Children Killed in Operations
2 September 2016 / Bianet
The Human Rights Association (İHD) has announced its Eastern and Southeastern Region “Research Report of the Human Right Violations That Took Place in the Conflict Zones Between July 24, 2015-July 24, 2016”.
According to the report, over 320 civilians of whom 75 were children were killed in the operations during the curfews.
- Police Raid on Azadiya Welat
2 September 2016 / Bianet
Police have raided Azadiya Welat daily’s central bureau in Diyarbakır.
Police made search in the building, which is located in the central Bağlar district.
Dozens of special operation forces and undercover police officers blockading the building waited at the entrance of the building with long barreled weapons and check the people who enter the building.
http://bianet.org/english/media/178229-police-raid-on-azadiya-welat
- Writer Vedat Türkeli Passes Away
29 August 2016 / Bianet
Yazar, senarist, şair Vedat Türkali, bir süredir tedavi gördüğü Yalova Devlet Hastanesi’nde bu sabah saat 06:00 sularında hayatını kaybetti.
1919 doğumlu yazar Türkali, 97 yaşındaydı.
Türkali’nin ölüm haberini kızı Deniz Türkali, Twitter’dan böyle duyurdu:
Writer, script writer, poet Vedat Türkali lost his life this morning (August 29) at aroun 6 a.m. at Yalova State Hospital where he was receiving treatment.
Born in 1919, writer Türkali was 97 years old.
http://bianet.org/english/life/178227-writer-vedat-turkeli-passes-away
OPINION, COMMENTARY, ANALYSIS
- EXCLUSIVE: ALAN KURDI’S GRANDFATHER BEGS WORLD TO ‘END MADNESS’ OF SYRIAN WAR
9 September 2016 / Newsweek Europe
A year after the image of three-year-old Alan Kurdi lying lifeless on a Turkish beach pushed the Syrian refugee crisis to the top of the international agenda, his grandfather makes an emotional plea for world leaders to end the war in Syria.
- Erdogan’s Waterloo: Turkey Invades And Occupies Syria
8 Septmeber 2016 / The World Post
The Obama administration has assiduously avoided U.S. military engagement in Syria. President Barack Obama is wary of the pottery barn rule: “You break it, you own it.” Supporting Turkey’s invasion and occupation of Syria would be a strategic mistake, making the United States a protagonist in Syria’s civil war.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-l-phillips/erdogans-waterloo-turkey_b_11767934.html
- Why is Turkey wasting its time arresting peace advocates?
30 August 2016 / Al Monitor
On Aug. 16, Ozgur Gundem, one of the few remaining independent news outlets in Turkey, was closed by a decision from Istanbul’s 8th Court of Peace. Pro-government newspaper Sabah reported the news as “PKK’s [Kurdistan Workers Party] newspaper is shut down. It was a tool for both the PKK” and followers of self-exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen. Police raided the offices of Ozgur Gundem and the homes of several columnists and staff and detained them.
- Vijay Prashad: Turkey’s Offensive Against ISIS & Press Crackdown is Really Just War on Kurds
26 August 2016 / Democracy Now
Watch more: http://www.democracynow.org/2016/8/26/vijay_prashad_turkeys_offensive_against_isis
- Welcome to demokrasi: how Erdoğan got more popular than ever
30 August 2016 / The Guardian
The village headman, or muhtar, is the plankton in the food chain of Turkish politics. He – or, less often, she – is an elected local official who counts heads, settles feuds, and finds cats.
- Erdogan, You are A War Criminal Under International Law. Turkey Invades Syria, Kills Civilians. The “International Community” Applauds
30 August 2016 / Global Research
Turkey has invaded Syria in derogation of international law (Nuremberg) with the blessing of the US and the “international community”.
According to press reports, Turkey’s air force and artillery were involved in “pounding ISIS strongholds” in Jarablus. Turkey’s mandate according to an official communique is to “completely cleanse terrorists from its border region with Syria.”
- Turkey Continues to Terrorize Kurds
24 February 2016 / Straegic Culture
The recent terrorist attack in Ankara resulted in the deaths of 28 Turkish servicemen. It gave the government led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan another pretext to put the blame on Kurdish armed groups operating in Syria and inside Turkey.
http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2016/02/24/turkey-continues-to-terrorize-kurds.html
- ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkey is getting drawn into Syrian quagmire
1 September 2016 / Intellinews
The Turkish incursion into northern Syria is making the situation on the ground more complicated by the day, with Ankara’s Western allies – especially the US – and major powers in the region – Russia and Iran – becoming anxious over the clashes between the Turkish military and Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSD) with the Syrian Kurds.
http://www.intellinews.com/istanbul-blog-turkey-is-getting-drawn-into-syrian-quagmire-105190/
- American YPG fighter: US backing Turkey-led Jarabulus operation is a slap in the face for Kurds
1 September 2016 / ARA News
There are no clashes between Turkish-backed rebels and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook.
“In the last 24 hours, my understanding is we continued to see calm in northern Syria, which we think is a good thing. And again, we continue to work very closely with our coalition partner and ally, Turkey, in trying to address their concerns about the situation,” Cook told a press conference today.
http://aranews.net/2016/09/pentagon-see-no-clashes-kurds-turks-syria/
STATEMENTS
- Kurdish Movement Makes Statement on Jarablus: Attack on All Kurds
25 August 2016 / Kurdish Question
The Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) has stated that Jarablus was taken over by the Turkish state and FSA militants in agreement with Islamic State (IS/ISIS) and the target was not IS but the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The KCK Executive Council co-presidency stated that Turkey had implemented its goal of occupying Jarablus after the liberation of Manbij by SDF, and Jarablus was taken over in agreement with IS. The KCK noted that “the aim of the Turkish state and jihadist groups is not IS but the Syrian Democratic Forces,” and described a possible attack on Rojava as “an attack on all Kurdish people.”
- Turkish Enmity to the Kurds Continues
26 August /Kurdistan National Congress
The purpose of the Turkish states’ intervention in Syria is not to attack ISIS, but to destroy the gains made by the Kurds and other groups, in order to further destabilize Syria.
On 24 August 2016, the Turkish state occupied the city of Jarablus, North Syria under the pretense of fighting ISIS. The timing of the occupation of Jarablus, which sits on the Turkish Syrian border, is important. The move followed the liberation of an ISIS stronghold, Minbij, by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Minbij military council on 13 August 2016.
http://www.kongrakurdistan.net/en/turkish-state-enmity-to-the-kurds-continues/
ACTION
Urgent Call for Kobane: The Turkish military is attacking Kurdish civilians in Kobane
August 2016 / Help Kobane
The recent liberation of Manbij, and the following clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Assad regime, has resulted in thousands of Internally Displaced People. Thousands have flown to Kobane, Cezire and Efrin to seek refuge. But this process has resulted in an already over burdened and war-torn Rojava region needing to support and accommodate thousands of these displaced people. The number of displaced people has resulted in the development of camps across the northern parts of Syria. However, shortage of basic food, medicine and supplies continues to create a difficult situation on the ground. Women and children continue to be the most vulnerable elements of society.
http://helpkobane.com/blog/2016/08/24/urgent-support-needed-for-kobane/
Peace in Kurdistan
Campaign for a political solution of the Kurdish Question
Email: [estella24@tiscali.co.uk]estella24@tiscali.co.uk
www.peaceinkurdistancampaign.com
Contacts Estella Schmid 020 7586 5892 & Melanie Gingell – Tel: 020 7272 7890
Patrons: Lord Rea, Lord Dholakia, Baroness Sarah Ludford, Jill Evans MEP, Jean Lambert MEP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Hywel Williams MP, Kate Osamor MP, Elfyn Llwyd, Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy, John Austin, Christine Blower, NUT International Secretary, Simon Dubbins. UNITE International Director Bruce Kent, Gareth Peirce, Julie Christie, Noam Chomsky, John Berger, Edward Albee, Margaret Owen OBE, Prof Mary Davis, Dr Thomas Jeffrey Miley, Mark Thomas, Nick Hildyard, Stephen Smellie, Derek Wall, Melanie Gingell