A Digest of Events in the Kurdistan Regions of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
Iran
The Supreme Court of Iran has rejected the retrial request for Kurdish political prisoner Pakhshan Azizi, putting her at imminent risk of execution. Her case has now been transferred to the Sentence Enforcement Office. Her lawyer, Amir Raeisian, stated that the court dismissed their objections as substantive but plans to submit another retrial request. Azizi was sentenced to death on June 14, 2024, for “rebellion” and later received an additional six-month prison sentence for “causing unrest in prison.”
Separately, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights has strongly condemned the Iranian regime’s increasing repression of Kurdish culture and activists. A recent wave of coercion has seen Kurdish folk singers forced to perform state-sanctioned anthems, an act Hengaw views as an attack on Kurdish cultural identity and freedom of expression. This broader strategy of suppression includes banning the Kurdish language in schools, censoring music, and targeting artists.
One such incident involved Mohammad Sharifi, a Kurdish folk singer from Sardasht, who was recently summoned by authorities. He was forced to delete social media posts related to prominent Kurdish figures and coerced into performing an Iranian anthem alongside the national flag.
These actions coincide with a surge in arrests among the Kurdish population. In the past two weeks alone, numerous Kurds have been detained, many violently and without a warrant. On January 22, 2025, five Kurds from Javanrud—Atila Abdi, Reza Kamrani, Sattar Babayi, Zakaria Firouzbakht, and Edris Abdollahi—were arrested and transferred to the Naft Square Detention Center in Kermanshah. Additionally, eight more Kurds were arrested following a general strike in Kurdistan, their detentions linked to protests against the death sentences of Kurdish political prisoners. Most detainees remain in unknown conditions, with no information on charges against them.
Among those arrested in recent weeks are Mohammad Esmaeili-Azar, a 29-year-old from Mahabad, detained on February 5, 2025, to serve a six-month prison sentence for alleged ties to the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDP-I). Hawre Shafei, a 40-year-old from Saqqez, was arrested on February 3, 2025, at his workplace in Shahnaz Square and taken to an undisclosed location. Danish Sharafi, 37, from Sanandaj, was arrested under unknown circumstances. Pouria Ahmadi, a 26-year-old from Dehgolan and nephew of slain protester Shadman Ahmadi, has been in custody for over ten days with no information on his condition or whereabouts.
Sorush Nurbakhsh, a 25-year-old student and composer from Mahabad studying Classical Guitar Performance, was arrested by security forces. Anwar Kurd, 27, from Bukan, and Keyvan Niknam from Mahabad, were also arrested by Iranian security forces and taken to undisclosed locations. Befrin Mahmoudi, a Kurdish woman from Bukan, was arrested during a raid on her home. Hiwa Amini and Bahman Feyzi were arrested by Iranian intelligence forces in Saqqez.
Arslan Fatahi and Saman Safari, two Yarsan adherents from Gahwareh, were arrested by IRGC Intelligence forces in Javanrud. Fatahi was released shortly after, but Safari remains in custody with no information on his condition. Parvin Advaei, a women’s rights activist and former political prisoner from Marivan, was arrested again on January 20, 2025, after being summoned to the Intelligence Department.
Meanwhile, Arman Shadivand, an environmental activist from Darreh Shahr, Ilam province, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting Khamenei.” He was arrested on November 24, 2024, and later released on bail pending legal proceedings.
Iraq
On February 2, a suicide drone attack targeted the Khor Mor gas field, operated by UAE’s Dana Gas. While no casualties were reported, the attack originated from Bashir, Kirkuk, raising suspicions of Iranian-backed militias stationed there since October 16, 2017. Despite the attack, the company maintained production and announced increased revenues for 2024, reaching $261 million in Kurdistan, with outstanding receivables of $67 million.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out an airstrike near Kirkuk on January 31, killing five ISIS (Da’esh) terrorists, according to a statement. “An initial post-strike clearance found multiple explosive suicide belts and other materials,” the statement noted. The operation aimed to weaken ISIS attack networks and disrupt their operational capabilities, as the terrorist organization remains an active threat in Iraq and the broader region.
Separately, several days after the Iraqi House of Representatives passed three laws in a single package—general amnesty, personal status, and property return—the Supreme Court in Baghdad halted their implementation, citing an appeal. On Tuesday, the court ordered their suspension. In response, the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council issued a statement rejecting the decision as inadmissible, arguing that the laws had not yet been published in the official gazette to take effect. The dispute between the two courts highlights potential political influence over the judiciary. Since 2003, the Kurds have sought to abolish former Iraqi regime laws that confiscated tens of thousands of acres belonging to Kurdish farmers in Kirkuk.
On a different note, the Iraqi House of Representatives has amended the budget law after more than a year of negotiations with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) over oil exports. The amendment to Article 12 includes provisions for covering the costs of producing and transporting oil from the Kurdistan Region, based on actual estimated costs determined by the Advisory Board. This move raises hopes for the resumption of Kurdistan’s halted oil exports since March 2023. Kurdistan’s presidency welcomed the amendment and praised Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for his efforts.
Syria
The Internal Security Forces of the Autonomous Administration for North and ast of Syria (AANES) have reported major progress in their ongoing operation targeting remnants of the former regime and its affiliated mercenary group, the so-called “National Defense.”
Major General Ali Hassan, a member of the General Command, announced Tuesday that the operation, now in its 15th day, is being conducted with the support of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The campaign aims to restore security, maintain stability, and eliminate threats from both regime-affiliated groups and Da’esh cells.
During the operation, security forces arrested 79 individuals accused of inciting chaos and endangering civil peace. Additionally, a large weapons cache was seized, including 55 Kalashnikov rifles, over 7,500 rounds of ammunition, 161 rifle magazines, four pistols, four BKC machine guns, and three improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Other confiscated items included shotguns, RPG shells, hand grenades, and surveillance equipment.
Simultaneously, Turkish-backed Syrian proxies have continued their attacks on AANES near the Tishreen Dam for a second month, despite sustaining mass casualties as the SDF successfully repels their assaults. Turkish drones have also supported these proxies, injuring several civilians in Kobani.
Politically, the Kurds remain excluded from the political process as Syria’s new leadership remains under strong Turkish influence and disengaged from Kurdish leaders. However, several European countries, including France, Germany, and Russia, have emphasized the need to include Kurds in the political process following discussions with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Syrian Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi stated that the U.S. is mediating between the Kurds and Damascus, reaffirming that Kurdish aspirations center on establishing a civil, secular Syria after the end of dictatorship.
Turkey
As peace talks between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) continue, Tuncer Bakırhan, co-chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), announced that imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan is preparing to make a “historic call” in the coming days.
“Mr. Öcalan will soon make a historic call for a fundamental and lasting solution to the Kurdish question and the construction of a democratic Turkey,” Bakırhan stated. He urged the government to take confidence-building steps, emphasizing that “the ball is now in Erdogan’s court” and that millions are awaiting democracy, justice, and freedom.
Bakırhan called on President Erdogan to seize this opportunity to be remembered as a leader who took courageous democratic steps. He reaffirmed the DEM Party’s commitment to peace, negotiation, and dialogue, vowing to continue advocating for a just and equal future despite the challenges ahead.
Several media outlets have reported that Oclaan may call on the PKK to disarm. However, Murat Karayılan, a senior Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader, addressed Turkey’s calls for PKK disarmament in a recent interview with Sterk TV, emphasizing that any meaningful move toward laying down arms must involve direct and sustained dialogue with Öcalan. He argued that Öcalan alone has the authority to convene a PKK congress that could lead to a collective decision on disarmament.
Karayılan criticized Turkey’s approach, claiming that ongoing military operations and arrests have eroded trust, making unilateral disarmament unrealistic. He stressed that a mutual ceasefire and a shift in rhetoric are necessary to create conditions for peace talks. While reaffirming the PKK’s willingness to negotiate, he insisted that a lasting resolution would require genuine political steps rather than tactical maneuvers.
Meanwhile, the Turkish government continued its crackdown on the Kurdish population despite ongoing peace talks. Öcalan is expected to release his announcement on February 15.