Rappler's latest stories on Kurdish
U.S. military calls on Kurdish forces in northeast Syria
'They're coming to set up a major military post in Qamishli,' a source tells Agence France-Presse
Syria's Assad says he does not want Turkey as an 'enemy'
However the Syrian president says that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan himself was an 'enemy' due to policies hostile to Syria
More than 100 Islamic State prisoners have escaped in Syria – US envoy
'We would say the number is now over 100. We do not know where they are,' James Jeffrey, the State Department point man on Syria
U.S. forces withdraw from key base in northern Syria
It is the fourth withdrawal of American forces in a week, and leaves Syria's northern provinces of Aleppo and Raqa devoid of US troops
Turkish soldier killed in Syrian Kurd attack, says defense ministry
Turkey and Kurdish forces accuse one another for violating the ceasefire agreement
Erdogan vows to 'crush the heads' of Kurdish forces if no pullout
(UPDATED) 'If the promises given to our country are not kept, as we did in the past we will not wait and restart the operation as soon as the time we have given ends,' says Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Turkey, U.S. agree on Syria ceasefire to force Kurdish fighters' withdrawal
The agreement for the 120-hour pause eases what escalated into an unprecedented crisis between the United States and Turkey, but critics quickly accused President Donald Trump of again abandoning Kurdish allies
Erdogan says Turkey 'can never declare ceasefire' in north Syria
US President Donald Trump says, Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Ankara to press Turkey to halt its offensive against Syrian Kurdish fighters
U.S. slaps sanctions on Turkey as Syrian regime returns to north
The actions come hours after regime troops returned for the first time in years to parts of northeastern Syria, invited by Kurdish fighters desperate for protection as the United States pulls out
U.S. takes custody of two 'high-value' jihadists from Syria Kurds
(UPDATED) 'I can confirm that we've taken custody of two high-value ISIS individuals from the SDF,' says a US defense official, referring to the Islamic State group and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces
Turkey to begin Syria offensive 'shortly' despite mixed U.S. signals
Istanbul sends more armored vehicles to the border with Syria, with a large convoy of dozens of vehicles seen in the Turkish town of Akcakale
U.S., Turkey launch joint patrols in northeast Syria
A joint center of operations has been established as part of the agreement for a 'safe zone' between the Turkish border and the Syrian areas controlled by the YPG
Turkey says Syria Kurds withdrawal 'must be confirmed'
As part of the US-Turkey deal to create a 'safe zone' in northern Syria, a joint operations center was set up and there will be joint patrols. Turkey hopes the patrols would start 'as soon as possible.'
Syria Kurds say fighters start pullback from Turkish border
The so-called 'safe zone' agreed by Washington and Ankara aims to create a buffer between the Turkish border and Syrian areas controlled by the Kurdish People's Protection Units
Damascus rejects Turkey-U.S. plan, Kurds give guarded welcome
No details are provided on the size or nature of the safe zone, but the deal appears to provide some breathing room after Turkey threatened an imminent attack on the Kurdish People's Protection Units
Turkey, U.S. agree 'joint operation center' for north Syria
The agreement contains no details on the size and nature of the safe zone, but aims to provide some breathing room after Turkey had threatened an imminent attack on the Kurdish YPG group
Anger, grief sweep Iraq's Mosul as ferry disaster toll hits 100
Residents of the northern city, scarred by years of jihadist rule, demand justice as Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi decrees 3 days of national mourning following the accident
Almost 100 dead as Iraq ferry sinks on spring holiday trip
(UPDATED) The accident sparks an outpouring of grief among residents who only recently resumed festivities on the banks of the Tigris after the northern city's recapture from the Islamic State group
U.S.-backed Syria force pummels last ISIS bastion
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have since March 10 rained fire on the enclave in a bend of the Euphrates River, blitzing thousands of ISIS members into surrender
'Never-ending' numbers in last ISIS scrap shock U.S.-backed fighters
Tens of thousands of dust-covered women, children and men have streamed out of the ragged tent encampment in the Syrian village of Baghouz since December – and despite that exodus they still keep on coming
Turkey, Iran to stage joint raid against Kurd rebels – minister
Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu does not specify which PKK bases the planned operation will target but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously said it will be against militant hideouts in Iraq
Turkey to set up Syria 'security zone' after Trump call
In a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirms that 'a 20-mile security zone along the Syrian border... will be set up by us'
Erdogan, Trump consider creating security zone in Syria
In a telephone conversation, the leaders 'discussed the idea of creating a security zone cleared of terrorism in the north of the country,' the Turkish presidency says in a statement
Syria army cuts off main town in Ghouta rebel enclave
Meanwhile, Ankara-backed rebels advance against the Kurdish People's Protection Units in the enclave of Afrin in northwestern Syria
Turkish air strikes kill 36 pro-regime fighters in Syria's Afrin
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the strikes on Kafr Janna were the third such raid on loyalist fighters in the enclave in less than 48 hours
11 Turkish troops killed in deadliest day of Kurdish offensive in Syria
The fatalities follow Turkey sending troops and launching air strikes against Kurdish militia in Northern Syria
Pressing Syria offensive, Turkey urges U.S. pullback
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to expand the offensive against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) to Manbij, east of Afrin
Turkish jets pound Kurdish militia in new Syria offensive
The launch comes despite warnings that the operation could be militarily tough against an already battle-hardened foe and complicate relations with both Washington and Moscow
Russia voices concern over Turkey operation in Syria
Russia said its troops were withdrawing from the area "to prevent potential provocation and exclude the threat to the life and wellbeing of Russian military"
Erdogan: Turkey has 'de-facto' launched ground operation on Syria's Afrin
Turkey has sent dozens of military vehicles and hundreds of troops to the border area amid repeated threats from top officials that an operation could be launched soon
Turkey expects Trump to 'keep promise' not to arm Syria Kurds
Washington views the Kurdish YPG militia as the most effective fighting force on the ground against ISIS, but Ankara sees them as 'terrorists' linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party
Fighters in Syria's Raqa prepare for civilian handover
Raqa's capture leaves the jihadists with little remaining territory in Syria, most of it in neighboring Deir Ezzor province, where some SDF fighters are already headed to carry on the campaign
US expresses concern over Erdogan guards' attack on protesters
Turkish bodyguards of visiting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan push past a Washington police cordon outside the Turkish ambassador s residence and set about the protesters with their fists and feet
Trump, Erdogan vow friendship despite anger at US arming Kurds
Both leaders try to put a brave face on their differences and to renew a key alliance between NATO s leading power and its biggest Muslim member partners in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq
Turkey angered by U.S. move to arm Syrian Kurds
The issue risks further stoking tensions between Ankara and Washington less than a week before President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heads to Washington to meet his US counterpart Donald Trump
Car bombing kills 13 Turkish soldiers
3rd UPDATE A total of 48 soldiers were wounded in the attack which struck when the soldiers were being taken from their barracks by bus on a weekend shopping trip
UN condemns 'descent into hell' in Aleppo, civilians flee
UPDATED Diplomats said the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting November 30 in New York on the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo
In major blow, Syria rebels lose all northeast Aleppo
UPDATED The regime s advance prompts an exodus of desperate civilians some fleeing to districts held by the government or Kurdish forces others heading south into areas still under opposition control
Thousands flee Syria regime advance into east Aleppo
It is the first exodus of its kind from east Aleppo since 2012 according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
Battle for ISIS-held Mosul nears ancient site
Troops and allied militia are moving forward on two villages close to ancient Nimrud
Coalition strike 'kills 20 civilians' near ISIS-held Raqa
The Syrian Democratic Forces the militia alliance that Washington is supporting in the assault denies the civilian deaths
US-backed forces launch assault on Syrian ISIS 'capital'
The operation to liberate Raqa dubbed Wrath of the Euphrates involves some 30 000 fighters
Iraqi forces move within striking distance of Mosul
UPDATED Forces from the elite Counter Terrorism Service CTS faced mortar fire as they pushed from the Christian town of Bartalla towards Mosul s eastern suburbs
Iraq forces say gaining ground around Mosul
3rd UPDATE Amid the offensive the UN says there have been credible reports of ISIS carrying out mass executions in the Iraqi city
More Turkish tanks enter Syria in new front – state media
This is Ankara s most ambitious operation during the five and a half year Syria conflict
Erdogan rejects claims US-backed Kurds have retreated
The Turkey Kurdish fight is yet another complication in the tangled civil war that is ravaging Syria as both Turkey and the US seek to retake territory from Islamic State jihadists by supporting different proxy groups
Dozens killed as Turkey ramps up Syria offensive
UPDATED At least 40 civilians are reported dead but Ankara says its raids had killed 25 Kurdish terrorists
Syria regime, Kurds agree to truce in Hasakeh
UPDATED A statement distributed to journalists by a Kurdish official says the agreement includes a ceasefire and the withdrawal of all armed forces from the city
At least 4 killed in suicide attack in Istanbul shopping hub
5th UPDATE No group has yet to claim responsibility for the attack that also injured 36 people
Kurds must be able to give views on Syria's future – UN envoy
Staffan de Mistura says that he has a mandate to find to find formulas that are as inclusive as possible
