Iran
Human Rights Watch has raised alarm over the potential execution of two Kurdish women, Pakhshan Azizi and Warisha Moradi, in Iran. Both women have been sentenced to death on charges of “armed rebellion against the state” and alleged membership in opposition groups.
Iranian authorities have defied international condemnation and upheld the death sentence against political prisoner Pakhsan Azizi. Despite her defense highlighting significant legal issues, the Supreme Court affirmed her death sentence on January 8, 2025.
Azizi’s lawyer, Amir Raesian, denounced the court’s disregard for critical irregularities in the case. Arrested in August 2023 alongside her family, Azizi was denied basic human rights for months. She faced four months of solitary confinement, barred from legal counsel and family visits, before the Revolutionary Court issued her death sentence in July 2024. The ruling has ignited widespread outrage, with 3,400 artists, activists, and organizations signing a statement condemning the verdict.
In a similar case, political prisoner Zanyar Moradi, a member of the Free Women’s Society of Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhelat), was also sentenced to death. Arrested in August 2023 in Senna, Moradi spend five months of solitary confinement at Evin Prison, where reports of torture emerged.Moradi was denied the right to defend herself, and her lawyers were obstructed from presenting crucial evidence.
The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reported that shops and businesses in at least 13 cities across Kurdistan held a public strike on January 22. The strike was organized in protest against the death sentences of the Kurdish women, following calls from Kurdish political parties, organizations, and human rights groups. As a result, the regime’s security forces arrested several shop owners and activists, with several of their whereabouts remaining unknown.
Zhina Amini’s father, Amjad Amini, faces a barrage of legal threats from Iranian authorities. Despite initially being charged with “spreading falsehoods” for his social media activity, the Saqqez Prosecutor’s Office unexpectedly escalated the charges against him to “propaganda against the state.” Zhina Amini’s death sparked widespread anti-government protests in the fall of 2022.
The Iranian regime continues cracking down on Kurdish communities across Rojhelat in 2025, with dozens being arrested so far in the year.
Iraq
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has strongly denounced a recent agreement between British Petroleum (BP) and Baghdad over Kirkuk’s oil fields, accusing the federal government of violating Iraq’s constitution and undermining the rights of the Kurdish people. In a statement released on January 12, 2025, the KRG reaffirmed its commitment to defending its constitutional authority and protecting the rights of the Kurdistan Region, including Kirkuk.
At the heart of the dispute is Article 140 of Iraq’s 2005 Federal Constitution, which requires the federal government to hold a referendum in Kirkuk and other disputed territories to determine their administrative status. This referendum was originally mandated to occur by December 31, 2007. However, successive governments in Baghdad have failed to meet this obligation, leaving the status of these territories unresolved for nearly two decades.
The KRG statement read that Baghdad is now unilaterally exploiting oil and gas resources in Kirkuk, disregarding constitutional provisions. Under Article 112, Baghdad is required to manage pre-existing oil fields like those in Kirkuk jointly with the Kurdistan Region and enter into revenue-sharing arrangements. Furthermore, Articles 110 and 115 grant the KRG exclusive authority to manage new oil and gas fields.
In a related development, the KRG spokesperson also issued a statement against the federal government’s unilateral actions in amending the federal budget law. The KRG claimed that despite extensive meetings and two readings in the Council of Representatives, a final vote on the amendment failed to occur.
According to the spokesperson, a new proposal was unexpectedly submitted by the representative of the federal government in the Council of Representatives without consulting the KRG or securing approval from the federal Council of Ministers. This unilateral action, the KRG statement read, directly contradicts a prior decision by the federal Council of Ministers to amend the budget law to facilitate the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region. Kurdistan’s oil exports have remained halted for nearly two years, costing Baghdad over $20 billion and severely impacting Kurdistan’s economy.
Syria
The Commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, welcomed the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, for his “support and efforts toward a successful political transition.”
In a statement, Abdi underscored the importance of a thoughtful and inclusive approach to resolving the future of North and East Syria within the broader framework of the Syrian state. His comments come as discussions continue regarding the political and military integration of the region into Syria’s national framework.
Abdi emphasized that any resolution must be built on a comprehensive national vision that promotes unity while respecting Syria’s diverse social and cultural fabric. “The issue of North and East Syria and the integration of our forces within the Syrian state requires a well-thought-out approach that paves the way for a comprehensive national vision and leads to a united Syria that reflects its diversity, guarantees fair representation, and secures justice and equality for all,” he stated.
The SDF also condemned Turkish media and “pro-Turkish mercenary” platforms for attempting to fabricate a false narrative of “tension” between the SDF and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The SDF accused Turkey of deliberately inciting conflict among Syrians.
In interviews with Turkish media, the Syrian leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Ahmed al-Shara’a, who is listed as a terrorist by the United States, stated that the SDF has yet to disarm. This demand has been rejected by the Kurds, citing the presence of dozens of other armed groups in Syria backed by Turkey. Meanwhile, Syria’s so-called “defense minister” issued threats, signaling readiness to confront the SDF. At the same time, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, expressed support for HTS and reportedly offered assistance if they engage in fighting against the Kurds. Meanwhile, State Secretary Rubio highlighted the need for an inclusive transition in Syria during a phone call with Fidan on January 23.
The recent developments come as Turkey’s Syrian proxies, with air support from Turkey, continued attacks on the SDF near the Tishreen Dam. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of 20 civilians due to drone strikes carried out by Turkey and its proxies. While the SDF has successfully thwarted many of the attacks, it has also suffered casualties in the clashes. Additionally, the SDF released footage of a captured drone, revealing evidence of Turkish soldiers directly assisting their Syrian proxies with drone operations.
Turkey
The Imralı delegation, consisting of prominent politicians Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan, visited Abdullah Öcalan on January 23, 2025, marking their second meeting this month as part of the Turkish government’s proposed peace process.
In a statement following the visit, the DEM Party’s Imralı Delegation highlighted their discussions with Öcalan on January 22. The statement noted Öcalan’s condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the Bolu fire and his wishes for a swift recovery for the injured. While the delegation did not disclose specific details of the meeting, the DEM Party emphasized Öcalan’s active role in the peace process, noting that he continues to work on the initiative. “After the preparations in this regard are completed, the necessary explanations will be made to the public,” the statement read.
The delegation also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the process and keeping the public informed as developments occur, signaling cautious optimism for progress in Türkiye’s ongoing reconciliation efforts.
The DEM Party delegation had also visited other jailed Kurdish politicians, including Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, who both expressed their support for Öcalan’s proposal.