754
Iran
- The Iranian regime intensified its efforts to stifle Kurdish political activity and enforce its rule in Iranian Kurdistan last week. In Urmia, Iranian security forces arrested a Kurdish activist named Shewa Mojarad. Mojarad was accused of “changing the public opinion” after he participated in anti-regime protests on November 15. Likewise, Iranian authorities arrested a female Kurdish activist named Golan Alizadeh in Mehabad city. On Wednesday, local Iranian forces detained two Kurdish men, Farzad Sofra and Fuad Mozafi. Though Sofra is a member of a cultural organization in Kermanshah, Iranian authorities have released no further details regarding Sofra and Mozafi’s arrest or criminal charges. Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Human Rights Association (KMMK) reported a prominent Kurdish journalist, Homaion Abbassi, was arrested in Tehran. Concurrently, the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj sentenced a Kurdish activist named Shahriar Oskoie to two-and-a-half years in prison for “aiding a Kurdish opposition party.” Another female Kurdish activist and writer from the Kelardasht District, Mozhkan Kawoosi, was sentenced by a Nowshahr court to five years and nine months in prison for “membership in a Kurdish opposition party.” Simultaneously, a Kurdish youth named Ali Stoda received a one-year sentence in Qorveh city for releasing a statement about the Iranian regime’s decision to raise fuel prices. The KMMK reported Stoda was sentenced without representation after he was arrested by Iranian intelligence officers (Ettela’at). In Khorramabad city (Khurmawa), the fate of Kurdish athlete Massuma Solaimani remains unknown since her arrest during protests. Massuma is a member of Iran’s national wrestling team and has achieved international success. On another note, a senior member of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly admitted that 22 minors have been jailed since the start of the protests, though given the fact thousands of Iranians have been jailed so far, this number is probably much higher. Lastly, numerous exiled Kurdish organizations reacted to the Iranian regime’s ongoing campaign against Iran’s Kurds and anti-regime protesters by issuing a joint statement condemning the regime’s aggression.
- Two Kurdish brothers working as border porters (Kolbars) died of hypothermia in the Hawraman region last week. 17-year-old Azad Khasroy developed hypothermia due to the frigid conditions gripping the region, which led his brother, 14-year-old Farhad Khasroy, to leave him and seek help. Both brothers were found dead following an exhaustive three-day search conducted by family members and local volunteers. This tragic event pushes the total number of Kolbar casualties in 2019 to 70 killed and at least 131 wounded, with the Iranian regime directly responsible for 90% of the deaths.
Iraq
- The Council of Representatives of Iraq moved votes on previously drafted election laws from Monday to Tuesday due to an incomplete quorum. The decision to draft new laws regarding Iraq’s electoral system came in response to continuing pressure arising from the protests which began on October 1, 2019. That said, Iraq’s Kurds are rejecting two articles (15 & 16) of the new bill which would decrease the size of the constituencies to districts instead of provinces, as Kurdish parties fear the proposed changes would decrease the representation of Iraq’s minorities. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Iraq Mohammed al-Halbousi met with Kurdish officials in Erbil, including the President of the Kurdistan Region Nechervan Barzani. The ongoing talks between al-Halbousi and Barazni are intended to facilitate the formation of a new government and appointment of a new prime minister. The Government of Iraq remains unable to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the previous prime minister, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, on December 2, 2019.
- An Iraqi drone strike killed several ISIS (Da’esh) terrorists near Diyala Governorate’s Qara Tapah. The drone strike follows an increasing number of Da’esh terrorist operations targeting both Iraqi and Kurdish forces in the “Disputed Territories” over the last few months.
Syria
- On the 75th day of Turkey’s invasion of northeastern Syria, dubbed Operation Peace Spring, Turkish drones and Turkish-backed jihadist groups continued attacking the rural areas surrounding Tel Tamer, Ain Essa, and Geri Spi. On Wednesday, rockets hit Kharbat al Baqer, which is located near Geri Spi. On Friday, Turkish drones struck a camp for displaced persons in the Saida village of Ain Essa and injured three civilians. These incidents occurred as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) released the latest statistics regarding the Turkish invasion that included recent attacks on four villages of Sari Kani. Meanwhile, joint Russian-Turkish patrols continued near Darbasiyah, while a video released by Hawar News showed a buildup of Turkish troops along the strategic M4 highway near Ain Essa in close proximity to Russian forces, implying increased collaboration between the two nations. Additionally, Russia and China vetoed a UN Security Council resolution authorizing the provision of humanitarian aid to Syrians from Turkey and Iraq. Russia demands all humanitarian aid go through the Syrian regime.
- The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) handed over two Da’esh orphans to Finland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Jussi Tanner. The AANES has now returned 170 women and 175 children to their countries of origin since the physical defeat of the Da’esh “Caliphate” in March 2019. That said, Da’esh carried out two IED attacks in Raqqa and three more in Deir ez Zor Governorate’s Basira last week. Likewise, unknown gunmen believed to be Da’esh operatives attacked the trade directorate in Tabqa, killing two guards and severely wounding an employee.
Turkey
- The Turkish government replaced more elected Kurdish mayors with government-approved trustees last week. On Friday, Turkish police arrested the co-mayors of the Sur District of Diyarbakir (Amed). On Saturday, the Turkish government appointed pro-government trustees to replace the arrested co-mayors, who remain jailed. Meanwhile, four previously sacked co-mayors were sent to prison, including Mardin Province’s Kızıltepe District co-mayor Nilüfer Yılmaz, Nusaybin District mayor Sara Kaya, and Mus Province’s Bulanık District co-mayors Adnan Topçu and Ülkü Karaaslan. Additionally, three cashiered local council members in Diyarbakir Province’s Baglar Municipality were imprisoned. The Turkish government has now removed 32 elected Kurdish mayors since local elections were held in March 2019.