U.S. Lets Islamic State Members Flee Syrian Province

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Nov 15, 2017 Turkey is outraged by a reported deal that would threaten autonomy for Kurds backed by that country. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

In Absence of U.S. Leadership, War Breaks Out Between Kurds and Baghdad

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Oct 16, 2017 On Sunday night, artillery duels broke out between Iraqi army forces and Kurdish Peshmerga paramilitary personnel to the south of the city of Kirkuk. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Rojava: ‘One of the World’s Most Interesting Experiments in Democracy’

Staff and Larry Gross / Truthdig Sep 3, 2017 Out of the ashes of the Syrian war, a democracy is rising. Net neutrality's fate hangs in the air. And public libraries are as important as ever. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Masoud Barzani Pledges That Kurdish Forces Won’t Enter Mosul

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Oct 30, 2016 The president of the Kurdistan Regional Government presumably made this announcement to assuage fears of Iraqi Arabs that the KRG would take advantage of the campaign against Islamic State to annex part or all of the city to Iraqi Kurdistan. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

The Number of U.S. Troops in Iraq Is Approaching 6,000 (Video)

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Sep 25, 2016 Five hundred more troops will be sent to help with the massive Mosul campaign. They will not engage in fighting at the front but will help call in airstrikes on Islamic State targets and provide tactical advice and training. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Another Bush Legacy in Iraq: Barzani Asks PKK to Leave (Video)

Juan Cole / Truthdig Aug 4, 2015 On Sunday morning, Kurdish separatist guerrillas launched a suicide-bombing strike on Turkish forces in Angri province using a tractor laden with explosives. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

In Iraq, Kurds Repel Islamic State With Help of Shiite Militiamen They Distrust

Juan Cole / Truthdig Feb 18, 2015 Islamic State (aka Daesh) fighters unsuccessfully moved Monday on Kirkuk and Erbil, two cities patrolled by Iraq's Kurdish paramilitary, the Peshmerga. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Whatever Happened to Besieged Kurdish City of Kobane, Syria?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Jan 6, 2015 Kurdish forces, supported by Free Syrian Army troops and coalition air strikes, have largely recovered Kobane from rule by Daesh (called Islamic State in the West). Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Have the Kurds Cut the Islamic State in Two, Blocking Supply Lines?

Juan Cole / Truthdig Dec 24, 2014 Al-Mada newspaper in Baghdad had an interesting article in the aftermath of the fall of Shinjar to the Iraqi Kurdistan Peshmerga. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Kurds Inflict First Major Defeat on Islamic State, Rescue Yezidis of Sinjar

Juan Cole / Truthdig Dec 22, 2014 The pan-Arab London daily, Al-Hayat reports that the Iraqi Kurdistan paramilitary, the Peshmerga, have taken Mt. Sinjar from Daesh (what Arabs call Islamic State). Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Turkey Allows Kurdish Peshmerga Paramilitary Troops to Cross to Kobane

Juan Cole / Truthdig Oct 29, 2014 Turkish intelligence is facilitating the crossing of a couple hundred paramilitary troops (Peshmerga) from Iraqi Kurdistan to the Turkish town of Suruç, 16 kilometers from the Syrian border. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )