About: Kurds
Turkish opposition mobilises to ensure fair play in tight poll
One hundred people listen to presentations crammed into a room in Istanbul, defying the oppressive summer heat and attentively taking notes. Their aim -- to ensure Sunday's elections in Turkey are not marred by election fraud.
Turkey vows to launch new cross-border military operations
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday (6 May) said Turkey would launch cross-border offensives, like previous military operations in Syria, in the "new era" after snap polls on 24 June.
Official: EU will not fund Turkish plan to settle refugees in Afrin
Following indications that Turkey would like to bring Syrian refugees to the area of Afrin, which it has controlled since the ‘Olive Branch’ incursion into northern Syria earlier this year, the EU made clear on Friday (20 April) that it would not be part of the game.
Ambassador: Turkey, EU should cooperate in safely returning Syrian refugees home
At the Varna summit, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told his interlocutors that the EU should cooperate in Syria in terms of helping Syrian refugees to go back to their homes, Turkish ambassador to the EU Faruk Kaymakcı told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Turkey, Iran, Russia say will work for stability in Syria
Turkey, Iran and Russia pledged yesterday (4 April) to accelerate efforts to bring stability to Syria, underlining their joint commitment to the country a day after President Donald Trump raised the prospect of withdrawing US troops.
Astana meeting on Syria takes place without Western oversight
Kazakhstan and Russia urged the US on Friday (16 March) to engage "in a constructive dialogue" in the context of the unfolding tragedy in Syria. But no US or Western diplomats were present at the eight edition of the Syria talks, held in the framework of the so-called Astana process.
Czech release of Syrian Kurdish leader triggers outrage in Turkey
A Czech court yesterday (27 February) released prominent Syrian Kurdish leader Saleh Muslim, wanted by Turkey on terror charges, prompting outrage in Ankara which said the move showed "support for terrorism".
Ankara presses Prague to extradite Kurdish leader
The Turkish government wants the Czech authorities to extradite a Syrian Kurdish leader detained this weekend at Ankara's request to face terror charges in Turkey, it said on Sunday (25 February).
Turkey says whoever helps Kurd militia in Syria is ‘legitimate target’
Turkey yesterday (21 February) said it would consider a "legitimate target" any group that comes to the aid of Kurdish militia in Afrin in northern Syria.
Friend or foe? Assad quietly aids Syrian Kurds against Turkey
Syria's US-backed Kurds are getting indirect help from an unlikely source in their war against Turkey in the northwestern region of Afrin: President Bashar al-Assad.
MEPs call on Turkey to lift state of emergency, stop civil society crackdown
The European parliament yesterday (8 February) called on Turkey to scrap the emergency powers which members said were being used to stifle "legitimate and peaceful opposition" and a free press.
Erdogan in Rome: Let Turkey be full EU member
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has rejected proposals of a partnership with the EU, insisting full membership to the bloc is the only option, in an interview published Sunday (4 February).
After Turkish anger, Macron plays down Syria warning
French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday (1 January) played down cautionary remarks he had made about Turkey's operation against Kurdish militants in northern Syria after Ankara labelled them as insults.
Turkey tells EU to back their anti-Kurd campaign in Syria
Turkey's European affairs ministers told the EU yesterday (25 January) to side with Ankara in its campaign against a Kurdish militia in northern Syria.
Turkey detains dozens more in ‘terror propaganda’ clampdown
Turkish security forces yesterday (23 January) detained dozens more people nationwide on accusations of spreading propaganda for "terror" groups, in a major clampdown as Ankara presses its new offensive inside Syria.
International concern grows over Turkey’s military incursion in Syria
Turkey yesterday (22 January) intensified its offensive against Kurdish militia targets in Syria as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan vowed there would be no stepping back in a campaign that has stoked concern among Ankara's allies and neighbours.
Reasons, risks and consequences of Turkey’s Syria operation
The Turkish military has started an air and ground operation against Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia whom Ankara views as "terrorists" linked to outlawed militants.
Chizhov: Syria is almost settled, time for EU to step in
In a wide-ranging interview on Wednesday (22 November), Russia’s ambassador to the EU discussed Syria and other conflicts, the upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit, his country's relations with Turkey and Bulgaria's Presidency of the Council of the EU.
WSJ says Turkey reporter convicted of ‘terror propaganda’
The Wall Street Journal said one of its reporters has been convicted in Turkey and jailed in absentia on charges of publishing "terror propaganda" in a 2015 article on clashes between the Turkish army and outlawed Kurdish militants.
EU Sakharov prize shortlist revealed
The Venezuelan opposition, a Guatemalan indigenous leader and an imprisoned Eritrean writer were shortlisted on Tuesday (10 October) for the European Parliament's prestigious Sakharov human rights prize.
At UN, Erdogan demands Iraqi Kurds call off referendum, warns of ‘consequences’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday (19 September) demanded that Iraqi Kurds call off a referendum on independence, hinting at consequences if they go ahead.
Iraq, Turkey step up pressure over Kurdish independence vote
Iraq and Turkey yesterday (14 September) stepped up the pressure on Iraqi Kurdistan over its planned independence referendum, as the governor of oil-rich Kirkuk province that decided to take part in the vote was sacked.
Erdogan hits out at EU, promises to ‘rip heads’
A defiant President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday (16 July) stepped up his attack on the European Union, saying Turkey had to go its own way and vowing to bring back the death penalty if parliament passes it.