Turkish-Kurdish conflict

Syrian Kurds lift placards and flags during a rally calling for an autonomous administration and Kurdish rights in Syria's predominantly Kurdish northeastern city of Qamishli, on Sept. 17, 2025.

Ankara: Jailed PKK chief favors unitary Syria, no separate Kurdish defense force

The militant leader called for “police-like” security units in Syrian Democratic Forces areas during his landmark meeting with a Turkish parliamentary delegation, according to a transcript summary.

Kurdish official Aldar Khalil, who played a key role in establishing Syria's semiautonomous Kurdish region in 2013, during an interview in Qamishli on Dec. 22, 2018.

Exclusive

Top PYD official Aldar Khalil: 'Syria is telling Kurds to separate'

Al-Monitor spoke exclusively to Aldar Khalil, a member of the executive council of the Democratic Unity Party (PYD), which shares power in the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria, about the halted talks between Syria’s transitional government and the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

People take part in a demonstration to call for the liberation of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan outside the European Council in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Sept. 15, 2025.

Analysis

PKK leader Ocalan gains legitimacy in Turkey, bigger sway over Syria’s Kurds

The ongoing deadlock between Damascus and the SDF is seen as a major obstacle to progress in Turkey’s efforts to address its long-standing Kurdish issue.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Burak Kara/Getty Images

Erdogan’s top ally Bahceli slams foot-dragging on meeting with PKK leader

The nationalist leader criticized the parliamentary committee for dragging its feet on a meeting with the jailed PKK leader, as Turkey’s president and his ruling party remain silent.

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Analysis

Could Trump be the one to deliver peace to Syria and Turkey's Kurds?

Sharaa

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Erdogan's top ally calls for release of Kurdish leader amid speculation of rift

A man holds a portrait of Selahattin Demirtas during a gathering of Turkish Kurds for Nowruz celebrations marking the New Year of the Persian calendar and the first day of spring, Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, March 21, 2025.

Analysis

Water for influence: Turkey moves to ease Iraq's water shortages ahead of elections

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani review honor guards during the latter's official visit to Ankara, May 8, 2025.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Exclusive

PKK leader Ocalan appeals to Iraqi Kurdistan president for help in Turkey peace talks

Kurds wave Kurdistan Workers' Party flags (PKK) and flags depicting Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, during a demonstration to call for Ocalan's liberation outside the European Council in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Sept. 15, 2025.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

US President Donald Trump and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) take part in a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on November 13, 2019. President Donald Trump greeted his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House for a high-stakes meeting Wednesday that underlined his claim to be ignoring the impeachment drama unfolding simultaneously in Congress. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

As Trump praises Erdogan, Turkey says ready to take control of ISIS prisons in Syria

The top Turkish diplomat said Turkey is prepared to take control of the Islamic State detainee camps as he downplayed Israeli support for the Syrian Democratic Forces.

A Turkish Jandarma armored vehicle drives toward the entrance to the Turkish Aerospace Industries facility following an attack on Oct. 23, 2024 in Ankara, Turkey.

Analysis

Turkey’s dual Syria security strategy: rebuilding army, tackling SDF

As it gains upper hand in Syria, Turkey will capitalize on its leverage to build a new army and push for dissolution of the PKK.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

US soldiers inspect the site of reported Turkish shelling days earlier on an oil extraction facility on the outskirts of Rumaylan, in Syria's Kurdish-controlled northeastern Hasakeh province on Oct. 28, 2024.

Pentagon denies US base at Kobani in Syria's Kurdish-led northeast

A spokesperson publicly dismissed rumors that US troops would establish a base in the Syrian Kurdish stronghold border town, which remains under threat by Turkey-backed rebels.

Children stand on a beach in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on December 30, 2024. The severe storms have caused significant damage to the already fragile living conditions in the camp. (Photo by Youssef Alzanoun / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by YOUSSEF ALZANOUN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Al-Monitor's top 10 most-read articles, interviews of 2024

From Assad's fall in Syria to Israel's wars in Lebanon and Gaza, Al-Monitor remains committed to bringing you unparalleled, independent coverage of the region, engaging with all voices to bring you the full story.

Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, attends the third session of the G20 Leaders' meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Nov, 19, 2024.

Analysis

2024 turnaround: Assad fall grants Turkey’s Erdogan electoral rebound

Despite facing a historic defeat in local elections, Erdogan’s foreign policy wins, including Turkish-backed rebels’ victory in Syria, appear to have bolstered his domestic support.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Supporters of the Kurdish community demonstrate with flags and banners on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the arrest of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan on the banks of the Rhine river in Cologne, western Germany, on Feb. 17, 2024.

Turkey allows pro-Kurdish DEM party to meet with jailed PKK leader Ocalan

The permission comes as part of the government’s tentative Kurdish opening.

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives for the European Political Community summit at Puskas Arena on Nov. 7, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary.

Turkey’s Erdogan says end near for PKK, Syrian offshoots

The Turkish president's remarks come amid growing speculation of an imminent Turkish-backed rebel offensive against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Fighters of Turkish-supported forces are positioned on the Buwayhij-Boughaz-Korhoyuk frontline on the outskirts of Manbij in northeastern Syria, as they fight with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Sept. 6, 2023.

Turkey-backed Syrian factions end US-mediated ceasefire with Kurdish-led SDF

Sources told Al-Monitor that negotiations between the sides had “failed” amid “significant military buildups” on the Turkish border.

CEO of Colony Capital Tom Barrack speaks on the last day of the Republican National Convention, on July 21, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Analysis

Tom Barrack, Trump's pick for Turkey ambassador, is good news for Erdogan

The US billionaire's close ties with the president-elect and a portfolio in dealmaking could provide room for improvement in Ankara-Washington ties, according to experts.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Fighters with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) inspect damaged and abandoned military vehicles and equipment at the Qamishli international airport, formerly a joint Syrian-russian military base, in northeastern Syria's city of Qamishli on Dec. 9, 2024.

Exclusive

Syria’s Kurds withdraw from Manbij following US ultimatum

The ultimatum came as the militants failed to comply with an agreement brokered by the United States to pull out of the city in exchange for assurances that Turkey and its SNA allies would not attack the SDF east of the river.

Amberin Zaman

Jared Szuba

By Amberin Zaman , Jared Szuba

A fighter prepares mortar ammunition as Turkish-supported forces deploy on the Buwayhij-Boughaz-Korhoyuk frontline on the outskirts of Manbij in northeastern Syria, as they fight with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on Sept. 6, 2023.

Syria’s Kurds under opposition assault as Erdogan vows to protect Turkey from 'terror'

Clashes are intensifying as Turkey-backed forces push up against Kurdish fighters.

An anti-government fighter celebrates at Umayyad Square in Damascus, on Dec. 8, 2024.

Who controls what in Syria as post-Assad transition begins?

President Bashar al-Assad left Syria shortly before rebel forces took the capital, Damascus, leaving various groups in control of different parts of the country.