menu_open
Amberin Zaman

Amberin Zaman

Al Monitor

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

US envoy works to reconcile rival Kurds in Syria as Turkey masses forces near Kobani

With the collapse of the Syrian regime in an offensive led by the Sunni militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its Turkey-backed allies, Syrian Kurds...

19.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

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

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

16.12.2024 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria’s Kurds faced with all-out war as Turkey, Sunni allies target Kobani 

A day after the fall of the SDF-controlled town of Manbij, Turkish proxies advanced today toward the town of Kobani.

10.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey-backed forces advance on Kurdish Syrian town of Kobani

The development comes a day after the fall of the SDF-controlled town of Manbij.

10.12.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey-backed forces advance on Syrian-Kurdish town of Kobani

The development comes a day after the fall of the SDF-controlled town of Manbij.

10.12.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

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.

09.12.2024 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria’s US-backed Kurdish forces seize Deir ez-Zor as Assad hangs by thread 

The developments came as Hayat Tahrir al Sham pressed its lightning offensive against Syrian government forces and is closing in...

06.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey-backed militants target Kurdish rivals in Syria’s Manbij

The developments came as Hayat Tahrir al Sham pressed its lightning offensive against Syrian government forces and is closing in...

06.12.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US-allied Syrian Kurdish woman commander: ISIS poised to carry 'fight to new level'

As Islamic State militants reportedly made advances in Syria on Thursday, the commander in chief of the Women’s Protection Units warned in an...

05.12.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Israel says hit Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

Israel said it hit dozens of Hezbollah targets in strikes on Lebanon Monday after vowing retaliation for an attack claimed by Hezbollah, the militant...

03.12.2024 8

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

What's ahead for HTS as Syria, Russia strike back and Turkey plots next move?

The Syrian government claims to have repelled the HTS advance on Hama, but pro-rebel sources claim the opposite.

02.12.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

UNRWA stops aid delivery via key Gaza-Israel crossing

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has halted the delivery of aid through the key Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza because of safety...

02.12.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria's embattled Assad seeks to shore up support after Aleppo loss

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad sought to shore up support from his allies Sunday, after a monitor said a shock rebel offensive saw government forces...

02.12.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

After capturing Aleppo, Turkey-backed militants attack Syria's Kurds

While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has yet to comment on the events, HTS could not have made its move without Ankara’s tacit blessing.

01.12.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Are Turkey's Erdogan and his nationalist ally about to fall out over Kurds?

For weeks assorted Turkish officials have been leaking claims that there is indeed daylight between the president and his ally of a sort that may even...

13.11.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s Erdogan congratulates 'friend' Trump, but can bond survive friction over Gaza, Syria’s Kurds?

Despite occasional spats, Trump and Erdogan got along famously during the former president's first term.

06.11.2024 9

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iraqi national security adviser finds 'pigeons' but no US forces at Kurdish airfield accused of targeting Iran

A senior Iraqi official has toured an air base in Iraqi Kurdistan and verified that it has been evacuated of US troops, despite Iranian claims that it...

05.11.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey ousts 3 Kurdish mayors amid renewed efforts to forge deal with PKK

The dismissals come as Ankara has renewed talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party and as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan eyes a third term.

04.11.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Trump or Harris: Who do Kurds want as next US president?

In Turkey, as elsewhere around the globe, the outcome of the US presidential election is of great interest, and the country's 16 million ethnic Kurds...

01.11.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syrian Kurdish commander: Turkey-PKK talks doomed if aimed at collapsing Kurds' self rule in Syria

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, the commander in chief of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazlum Kobane, denied PKK assailants who...

28.10.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey pummels Kurds in Syria over Ankara attack amid overtures to PKK leader Ocalan

The timing of the attacks has spurred speculation that hawks on both sides are seeking to torpedo efforts to end the conflict between the Turkish army...

24.10.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Erdogan accuses Israel of wanting to wage war on Turkey despite robust trade ties

These claims, which analysts have deemed absurd, are mainly aimed at appeasing his Islamist base and distracting the broader public from their...

08.10.2024 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

As Israel steps up attacks on Syria, is Bashar al-Assad next?

While targeting Assad and his brother would destabilize the regime and potentially deprive Hezbollah of its rear base, an Israeli source has denied...

03.10.2024 7

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey's FM met with Nasrallah days after Oct. 7 — does that mean he's 'pro-Iran'?

The recent revelation by Hakan Fidan has refocused attention on the top Turkish diplomat's supposed fondness for Iran.

30.09.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

How ISIS brides held by Syria’s Kurds are smuggled to suitors in Europe

The women are finding their prospective husbands on the internet using smuggled mobile phones.

19.09.2024 7

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Amal Clooney joins Europe's legal battle to free Turkey's Osman Kavala

The Clooney Foundation for Justice, co-founded by international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, has intervened in the case of jailed Turkish...

13.09.2024 8

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Libyan Central Bank standoff fuels conflict fears as Turkey, Russia send weapons

For the sixth time since 2021, the European Union’s naval air mission was blocked from inspecting the cargo of a Turkish-flagged vessel suspected of...

11.09.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s Fidan calls on Arab League to unite against Israel in Egypt meeting

This was the first time in more than a decade that Turkey was invited to join the summit.

10.09.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkish soldier killed in PKK clash in Iraqi Kurdistan as Baghdad presses Ankara to withdraw

Recent civilian deaths have reignited calls from Iraqi officials for the withdrawal of thousands of Turkish troops deployed across Iraqi Kurdistan.

09.09.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Civilian toll rises in Turkey’s attacks against Kurdish militants in Iraq

The recent spike in Turkish attacks comes at an especially critical time as Iraq's Kurdistan Region prepares to hold long-delayed parliamentary...

05.09.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Civilian toll rises in Turkey’s attacks against Iraq’s alleged Kurdish militants

The recent spike in Turkish attacks comes at an especially critical time as Iraq's Kurdistan Region prepares to hold long-delayed parliamentary...

05.09.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Once sworn enemies, Egypt’s Sisi and Turkey’s Erdogan to meet in Ankara

Despite more than a decade of hostility between Turkey and Egypt, ties appear to be on an upward trajectory.

04.09.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Russia ups mediation efforts between Turkey, Syria as Assad drags feet

While Turkey is embracing Russia's role in attempting to mediate between Ankara and Damascus, the Syrian government wants a timetable for Turkey...

03.09.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Azerbaijan’s FM to meet with Turkey’s Fidan in Ankara as Putin courts Baku

Turkey and Azerbaijan long enjoyed deep strategic ties, but relations have deteriorated since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan let slip that Ankara...

26.08.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey to host Iraq, Qatar, UAE officials for Development Road summit

The estimated $20 billion project was formalized during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official visit in April to Baghdad and will link...

23.08.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey to host Iraq, Qatar, UAE ministers for Development Road summit in Istanbul

The estimated $20 billion project was formalized during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s official visit in April to Baghdad and will link...

23.08.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s security pact with Iraq: Which side came out on top?

The most contested presence for Baghdad is the military base established by Turkish forces in 2015 near the Iraqi town of Bashiqa.

22.08.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

From mountaintops to underground: PKK responds to Turkey’s drones

Serdar Yektas, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Workers Party's armed wing, told Al-Monitor that Turkey’s use of its home-manufactured drones has...

19.08.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Woman who blamed Erdogan for Turkey’s Instagram ban jailed for 'insult'

A Turkish woman was arrested today for insulting Turkey’s president, infuriating many in the country — and even within his ruling Justice and...

13.08.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s stray dogs killed in droves after passage of Erdogan-backed law

The legislation was rammed through parliament last month by AKP lawmakers and their nationalist allies in the face of nationwide protests.

12.08.2024 9

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Russia’s Shoigu in Iran to signal support, urge restraint against Israel

A top Russian security official visited Tehran as Iran says it "welcomes trilateral cooperation between Iran, Russia and China."

05.08.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Erdogan blasts Israel in call with Biden as Haniyeh’s death stirs fury in Turkey

Across the ideological divide, Turks are airing fury at the Hamas leader's assassination.

02.08.2024 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iran’s Khamenei reaffirms opposition to Azerbaijan’s corridor plan to Armenia PM

Iran remains opposed to an Azerbaijani corridor through Armenia that would cut off the Islamic Republic’s access to the Black Sea.

30.07.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkish, Armenian peace envoys to use common land border in symbolic breakthrough

Hints of a breakthrough came last week when Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian toured the newly refurbished Margara checkpoint on the Armenian...

29.07.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Activists warn of tourism boycott as Turkey pushes through controversial stray dog bill

A government-led parliamentary committee this week approved a bill that could result in the mass culling of millions of street dogs, and fury at the...

27.07.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Yazidis or Kurds? The fight over identity in Armenia and Iraq

CHARCHAKIS, Armenia — Sevdin Khudoyan, a farmer-turned-mechanic, has no doubt about who he is. “I am a Kurd and a Yazidi,” Khudoyan asserted...

23.07.2024 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iraq’s first lady blasts Turkey’s assault against PKK in Kurdistan Region

Iraq’s first lady sharply condemned Turkey’s ongoing military operations against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in the Kurdish-...

18.07.2024 7

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

As Erdogan woos Assad, is Turkey-Syria reconciliation rhetoric or reality?

After a protracted pause, Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has revived efforts to mend fences with the man he long labeled a...

11.07.2024 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Baghdad silent as Turkey moves deeper against PKK militants in northern Iraq

A Turkish drone on Monday struck a vehicle that allegedly belonged to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the village of Tel Qasab in...

08.07.2024 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Erdogan heads to Germany amid row over Turkish soccer player’s 'racist' salute

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend Turkey’s quarterfinal match against the Netherlands at the European soccer championship in Germany on...

04.07.2024 9

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

729c456128ce95ef01e013280f3802af