Kurdistan

Iran frames Kurds as ‘separatists’ to serve its own agenda – opinion

An examination of Kurdish-Iranian history reveals that Kurds in the Islamic Republic have been politically engaged for over a century, actively protesting and fighting for human rights and liberties.

|By MOHAMAD MOHAMADI
Kurdish female fighters in northeastern Syria.
Iranian Kurdish fighters from the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK) take part in a training session at a base on the outskirts of Erbil, Iraq February 12, 2026.

As US withdraws from Iraq, Kurdish region is left exposed to Iran's threats - analysis

Tehran has carried out more than 1,000 missile and drone attacks on Kurdistan following the start of US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A Turkish soldier participating an a NATO exercise, Barbate, Spain, March 28, 2025; illustrative.

Turkey agrees to hand over disputed Bashiqa-Zelikan military base near Mosul to Iraqi government

The agreement followed a meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the two leaders said in a joint statement.

|ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian holds up a poster of assassinated Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei while addressing the 81st session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly at UN Headquarters on September 23, 2026 in New York City.

Iran launches attack on Kurdistan region of Iraq in latest strike on Kurdish groups

Iran has targeted the region with more than 1,000 drone and missile attacks since February. It has sought to strike at Kurdish dissident groups as well as US diplomatic facilities and other sites.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Turkey’s Bashiqa base handover marks a new chapter for post-ISIS Iraq - analysis

This is an important step and comes amid many developments in Iraq. Iraq is also trying to rein in Iranian-backed militias. It says this will happen by June of 2027.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters detonate a land mine laid by the Islamic State (IS) group fighters in the Iraqi town of Bashiqa, some 25 kilometres north east of Mosul, on November 13, 2016 after they retook control of the town from IS jihadists.

Kurdish Peshmerga completes its long process of unification - explainer

The armed forces of the Kurdistan autonomous government announced their unification and would turn their attention to 'strengthening military capabilities.'

SEPTEMBER 21, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iraqi forces and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters gather during a security deployment in Luhaiban village in Kirkuk Monday, 6th December 2021

Trump says coming to big decision on whether to 'annihilate' Iran as regime shoots down US drones

Trump reportedly to meet Gulf leaders for Iran war talks next week • Trump says Iran “really wants” an agreement • Drone strikes Kurdish group opposed to IRGC in Iraq

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Interception recorded in northern Israel.

Mahsa Amini's legacy, four years after her murder by Iran's morality police - editorial

“Women’s problems are not limited to the hijab,” Fattahi said. “Freedom does not simply mean having the freedom to choose whether or not to wear a hijab. This is the most basic of women’s rights.”

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL
A woman hand holds a sign with drawings of a lion and an Iranian woman and the slogan Woman Life Freedom in Paris in France on January 18, 2026. Demonstration in support of the Iranian uprising against the Islamic and in favor of the return of Reza Pahlavi.

Israeli-Canadian Benjamin Hassin freed after 11 years in Iraqi prison

Israeli-Canadian Benjamin Hassin, now in his early 30s, was released from prison in Sulaymaniyah on Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2026ByMATHILDA HELLER
A man drives a Careem taxi car in Mosul, Iraq.

Iran-linked drone attacks target Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq

A Kurdish Iranian opposition group said Iran targeted its headquarters in northern Iraq, the latest in a series of attacks on anti-Tehran factions.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iranian Kurdish fighters from the Kurdistan Freedom Party, known as PAK take part in a training session at a base on the outskirts of Erbil, Iraq February 12, 2026.

Prisoners protest in Syria's Kobani after Kurdish soldier's murder test al-Sharaa's - analysis

This is the latest in Syria's tensions, while it also reveals the concerns many Kurds have about how the new government resolves crises.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa listens to French President during a joint press conference after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, on May 7, 2025.

Kurdish expert: Israel knows how to recognize a nation. It should recognize ours - opinion

Kurds are the largest unrecognized nation on earth. Not unrepresented, which is a lesser condition. There is no seat, no flag at Turtle Bay, no ministry anywhere that receives our envoys as envoys.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2026ByMEM HUSEDIN
Nechirvan Barzani, the regional president of Iraqi Kurdistan, delivers a speech after casting his ballot in Arbil, the capital of Iraqi's northern autonomous Kurdish region, on November 11, 2025.

Iran attacks Kurdish Iranian opposition group in Iraq - analysis

The attack comes amid numerous reports in Kurdish media that the US is withdrawing from Iraq, including forces in the Kurdistan Region. This includes reports of air defenses being withdrawn.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Damaged buildings after, what the security sources say, a drone struck an arms depot in an attack on the headquarters of an Iranian Kurdish opposition group in which two fighters were wounded, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in the town of Dekala in Iraq's Kurdistan region March 4, 2026.

US withdrawal from Iraq will be watched closely by Iran-backed militias, Kurds - analysis

Iranian-backed militias and Iran have already targeted the Kurdistan region with more than 1,000 drone and missile attacks since February 2026, and it will be vulnerable if the US withdraws.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Damaged buildings after, what the security sources say, a drone struck an arms depot in an attack on the headquarters of an Iranian Kurdish opposition group in which two fighters were wounded, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in the town of Dekala in Iraq's Kurdistan region March 4, 2026.