
American and other Western volunteers fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria recently told the Kurdish outlet Rudaw they were gearing up for a new offensive against the jihadists in the new year. One American volunteer recalled how thousands demanded photos with him on a routine visit to a mall in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.
by Frances Martel5 Jan 2016, 10:29 AM PST0

Beirut (AFP) – Arab and Kurdish forces have killed at least 16 fighters from the Islamic State group during fierce clashes north of the jihadists’ stronghold of Raqa, a monitor said Sunday.
by AFP3 Jan 2016, 9:38 AM PST0

The Kurds are a major factor in the uneasy politics of Turkey and Iraq, and they have been holding the front lines against ISIS in Syria. There are Kurds in Iran, too, and they are nervous about the end of sanctions against Tehran, fearing the mullahs will use their increased wealth and power to further oppress the Kurdish minority.
by John Hayward31 Dec 2015, 10:56 AM PST0

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saluted Kurdish efforts against the Islamic State, and offered Moscow’s support, by way of Damascus.
by John Hayward24 Dec 2015, 12:58 PM PST0

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, strongly criticized the Obama administration’s strategy against the Islamic State on Fox News Sunday.
by John Hayward21 Dec 2015, 7:08 PM PST0

For the first time in months Islamic State militants mounted a major attack in northern Iraq late Wednesday, but its forces were soundly repelled by Kurdish Peshmerga forces aided by U.S. and coalition air strikes.
by Thomas D. Williams, Ph.D.18 Dec 2015, 5:09 AM PST0

The brother of Abdullah Ocalan, the head of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), claims Iraqi Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani turned down two opportunities to meet with the Kurdish guerrilla chief while visiting Ankara, Turkey to discuss the fight against the Islamic State.
by Frances Martel15 Dec 2015, 1:09 PM PST0

The chaotic nature of the Syrian civil war was illustrated by the presence of over a hundred representatives from opposition groups in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to lay the groundwork for peace talks with dictator Bashar Assad.
by John Hayward13 Dec 2015, 8:42 AM PST0

On Thursday, acting under secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence with the U.S. Treasury Adam Szubin stated that ISIS is selling “some” of its oil to Turkey.
by Sam Nunberg12 Dec 2015, 4:32 PM PST0

The Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) has claimed responsibility for a triple truck-bomb attack on a town in northeastern Syria that left 50 people dead and injured 80 others, according to the Kurdish YPG militia that controls the area.
by Edwin Mora12 Dec 2015, 10:37 AM PST0

Shiite militia groups in Iraq are threatening to attack Turkish troops unless they are withdrawn within 48 hours, according to a Reuters report.
by John Hayward10 Dec 2015, 10:01 PM PST0

The BBC has found a man believed to be the first Chinese national to volunteer to fight alongside the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) against the Islamic State.
by Frances Martel9 Dec 2015, 12:23 PM PST0

Texas Senator and Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz said, ” We should use the Kurds as our boots on the ground. Now, in addition to that, it may well require embedded special forces and other troops” and that ” we
by Ian Hanchett9 Dec 2015, 9:47 AM PST0

While the world waits to see if the tension between Turkey and Russia escalates, Turkey has also become embroiled in a dispute with the Iraqi government that has the potential to become more serious: Turkish troops have been crossing the border into Iraq without permission.
by John Hayward6 Dec 2015, 6:42 PM PST0

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States is expected to deploy up to 200 special operation forces to combat the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) in Iraq and Syria, including some who will participate in ground combat operations, U.S. defense officials have said.
by Edwin Mora2 Dec 2015, 9:25 PM PST0

Texas Senator and Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz declared that President Obama and Hillary Clinton “have no intention of even trying” to defeat ISIS on Tuesday’s “Hannity” on the Fox News Channel. Cruz stated, “it is abundantly clear that Barack
by Ian Hanchett1 Dec 2015, 8:56 PM PST0

Six Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) jihadists, taken prisoner with the assistance of U.S. special forces, are reportedly being tortured, in violation of international law, by America’s Kurdish allies, The Daily Beast has learned from U.S. officials and humanitarian aid workers.
by Edwin Mora1 Dec 2015, 9:36 AM PST0

The Iraqi Kurdistan military, known as the Peshmerga, boast hundreds of female recruits fighting the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL).
by Mary Chastain1 Dec 2015, 7:55 AM PST0

Fighting has erupted between allegedly allied anti-Islamic State groups in Aleppo, Syria, killing over 20 people in the past two days.
by Mary Chastain30 Nov 2015, 10:39 AM PST0

At least 50 U.S. soldiers arrived in Kobane, Syria, on Thursday to train Kurdish People’s Protection Unit soldiers against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL).
by Mary Chastain28 Nov 2015, 3:39 PM PST0

Contents: Russia and Turkey move closer to the brink of war; Turkish analysis of downing of Russian warplane; Quote without comment
by John J. Xenakis26 Nov 2015, 7:24 AM PST0

Before an international incident that involved Turkey shooting down a Russian fighter jet Tuesday morning, which purportedly violated Turkish airspace several times, Ankara’s forces were also engaged in attacks against Kurdish revolutionary forces in the southeast of the country.
by Jordan Schachtel24 Nov 2015, 8:22 AM PST0

ISIS is now welding metal plates onto trucks, loading them with bombs and a suicide bomber and driving into enemy lines, then setting off the bombs. American soldiers have named these new deadly weapons “Franken-trucks,” which the radical Islamist troops use six to eight of per operation, according to Gersten.
by Trent Baker22 Nov 2015, 7:49 PM PST0

A teenage girl has become the first British citizen sent to prison for attempting to join the fight against the Islamic State. The young Kurdish women was convicted on “terrorism” charges because she wanted to “protect” all ethnic groups and
by Liam Deacon21 Nov 2015, 4:25 AM PST0

The Popular Mobilization Units (Hashd al-Shaabi), a Shiite militia movement in Iraq, has continued to attack Kurdish territory in an attempt to push back Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and take full control of the area, reports BasNews.
by Edwin Mora20 Nov 2015, 5:52 PM PST0