548
Iran
- The Iranian security forces continue deployment in the major Kurdish cities to avoid start of anti-government protests. Most of the police and Iranian military elements have been guarding the main squares in the cities. Meanwhile, the arrests of the Kurdish civilian activists and university students continue amid tensions across the country since November 15, 2019 when major demonstrations took place and were faced by brutal Iranian regime forces. The Kurdistan Human Rights Association (KMMK) reported in Dehgolan the Iranian intelligence services (Etelaat) arrest of a Kurdish activist Sirous Abbasi and his wife after raiding his house. The next day his brother Azad Abbasi was also arrested. In Sanandaj, the security forces arrested three students on Wednesday. The students, Moslem Solimani, Zaniar Ahmedpour, and Arshad Atabak were detained for participation in the university demonstration against the shot down of the Ukranian passenger plane. In Razi University of Kermanshah, the security forces arrested a student and warned other activists of holding any protests. In Marivan, a young man was arrested and a female activist Eran Rapikar was sentenced to two years in prison after she was charged for membership of an opposition Kurdish party.
- The sucidal rate is rising in the Kurdish region of Iran. Last week, three more people ended their lives for different reasons including social issues. The three people were from Kamyaran, Sardasht, and Bokan. The Kurdish region faces much higher unemployment and poverty in comparison to the rest of the country.
Iraq
- The Kurdistan Presidency announced that the President Nechervan Barzani is set to meet President Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The meeting would be the first between both President since they assumed office. Meanwhile Barzani revealed that he also has “standing invitation” to Tehran. Meanwhile, the Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al Thani visited the Kurdistan region and held a meeting with Kurdish officials on political developments and trade.
- The Kurdistan Parliament passed a reform bill by a majority of votes on Thursday. The bill was discussed for months among the political parties which includes reforms on pensions and retirement amendments of former government officials.
- On Wednesday, Turkish jet bombarded an office of the Shengal Resistance Units (YPS) in Snuny district of Shingal town. As a result, the general commander of the YPS, Zerdest Shingali, was killed alongside three more members of the force. The YPS is comprised of local Yazidis and was established to repel ISIS attacks. The YPS is supported by the Kurdish forces in Syria. Turkey’s airstrike is one of many in the Kurdistan region targeting affiliates of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and has resulted in massive civilian casualties and displacement.
Syria
- On its second annviersary of Afrin occupation by Turkey and allies Jihadist groups, the Kurdish Self-administration of Afrin released a statement denouncing the continuation of violations in Afrin. “We in the self-administration of Afrin region condemn the continued silence of states and organizations regarding the Turkish occupation and the continuous daily violations against Afrin on the ground and people, and we call on them to do their part to end the occupation and remove its effects, and ensure the safe return of the people of Afrin” read the statement. Afrin self-administration operate outside of Afrin since they were expelled by Turkey on March 18, 2018. Meanwhile, the Shera district of Afrin witnessed more bombardment by Turkey. Afrin Human Rights Organization announced that 300,000 Kurds have been displaced by Turkey since its occupation while 543 have been killed including 54 under torture and kidnappings by the Jihadist groups allied with Turkey.
- As part of the continuation of the Turkish invasion into the Kurdish region, the Turkish-backed Jihadists shelled the countryside of Geri Spi (Tal Abyad) with heavy weapons. In Sari Kani (Ras al Ain), the Turkish-backed groups arrested several Kurds, most of them backed the Kurdish administration before the invasion. Concurrently, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the start of building resettlements in the Kurdish region for the Syrian refugees in Turkey.
- As Idlib fights intensified and Turkey sent more Jihadists to Libya, several members of the Turkish-backed groups deflected and surrendered to the US-backed Syrain Democratic Forces (SDF). The members accused Erdogan of “betrayal” and agreement with Russia to hand over Idlib to the Syrian regime.
Turkey
- Despite pressure from the government, the Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) has finished preparing to hold its fourth party congress on 23 February 2020 in Ankara. In Beyoglu district of Istanbul, an armed attack took place against the the HDP office on Wednesday. The attack is believed to be as part of a series of hate crimes against the Kurds in Turkey in the recent years. Most of these attacks have been launched by supporters of the ruling party of Justice and Development (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). In Izmer, 12 members of the HDP were detained by the Turkish police. In Sanliurfa (Urfa), seven Kurds were detained in several districts while the governor of the province banned any public gathering or activities for a month. Meanwhile, after her removal from the office by the government, a Turkish court in Mardin ruled to keep Nusaybin Municipality Co-mayor Sara Kaya in jail. Several of the Kurdish mayors that have been sacked by the government remain in jail.