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Image: ALAIN JOCARD/AFPImage: ALAIN JOCARD/AFP

Kurds

The Kurdish people are an ethnic group inhabiting an area across parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria.

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Three flags of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fly at a rally

Three flags of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fly at a rally

Turkey, the Kurds and the PKK

The PKK has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack in Ankara. Who is the PKK and what do they strive for?

Turkish police officers carrying guns stand near an armed personnel vehicle

Turkish police officers carrying guns stand near an armed personnel vehicle

Turkey blames Kurdish group for attack on defense firm

After an explosion rocked the headquarters of a state aerospace group near Ankara, ministers blame Kurdish militants.

Kurds in Greece hold up a banner with an image of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan

Kurds in Greece hold up a banner with an image of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan

Turkey: Erdogan ally pitches release of jailed Kurd leader

Abdullah Ocalan, whose PKK launched an armed conflict with Turkey 40 years ago, has been jailed since 1999.

Iranian labor activist Sharifeh Mohammadi

Iranian labor activist Sharifeh Mohammadi

Iran: Activist removed from death row after court ruling

Iran's top court overturned the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi over alleged links to a Kurdish separatist group.

Doku Plan KW 28

Doku Plan KW 28

Daughters of the sun - Healing in the shadow of the war

The Yazidi girls were still teenagers when they were abducted by IS fighters. Years later, survivors are returning home.

A protester stands in front a burning Turkish truck

A protester stands in front a burning Turkish truck

As Turkey, Syria thaw ties, unrest may derail reconciliation

Anti-Turkish protests in Syria and violence against Syrians in Turkey are casting a shadow on efforts to renew ties.

An Iraqi Kurdish woman demonstrates in front of the Kurdistan Judicial Council offices in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq in 2014

An Iraqi Kurdish woman demonstrates in front of the Kurdistan Judicial Council offices in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq in 2014

Iraqi Kurdistan ignores violence against women — Amnesty

Courts favor male suspects even as women are beaten, raped and murdered, according to a human rights group's report.

Selahattin Demirtas

Selahattin Demirtas

Turkey: Pro-Kurdish leader Demirtas gets 42 years in prison

Selahattin Demirtas, the former leader of the pro-Kurdish HDP party, has been sentenced to 42 years in prison in Turkey.

DW Doku "Guardians of Truth"

DW Doku "Guardians of Truth"

Guardians of Truth - Can Dündar meets Aslı Erdoğan

The Turkish republic is turning 100 - but for Turkish journalist Can Dündar, this is no cause for celebration.

A noose is seen at a rally against the executions of protesters

A noose is seen at a rally against the executions of protesters

Call for solidarity after Iran sees rise in executions

The UN deputy high commissioner for human rights is flying to Tehran to look into a recent spate of executions.

Three men surveying damaged infrastruture and a vehicle after a Turkish airstrike in northern Syria in November 2022

Three men surveying damaged infrastruture and a vehicle after a Turkish airstrike in northern Syria in November 2022

Turkey launches new attacks on PKK in Iraq

Ankara has said it will "neutralize" those behind a Sunday bomb attack. Syrian Kurds accuse Turkey of war crimes.

Protesters hold a giant banner bearing the names of people who were killed in the passing year including this of Jina Mahsa Amini

Protesters hold a giant banner bearing the names of people who were killed in the passing year including this of Jina Mahsa Amini

Iran: Schoolgirl reportedly in coma after security assault

The 16-year-old girl was assaulted by the morality police on Iran's underground, a rights group said.

File picture of a Turkish police special operations member

File picture of a Turkish police special operations member

Turkey arrests dozens over suspected links to PKK

Dozens of people with alleged links to Kurdish militants have been arrested in raids across Turkey.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya speaks to reporters

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya speaks to reporters

Turkey strikes suspected Kurdish militant targets in Iraq

This comes hours after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device near an entrance to the Turkish Interior Ministry.

An ISIS propaganda video showing Islamic State militants during battles along the border of Iraq and Syria

An ISIS propaganda video showing Islamic State militants during battles along the border of Iraq and Syria

Syria's Deir el-Zour: Unrest quelled without shared road map

The latest clashes were fueled by the anger of Arab tribes under Kurdish control amid the influence of opposing backers.

Peshmerga forces look at IS positions in Iraq from truck mounted with automatic weapon

Peshmerga forces look at IS positions in Iraq from truck mounted with automatic weapon

Iran, Iraq agree to disarm Kurdish militants — Tehran

Iran's foreign ministry says Iraq has agreed to disarm and relocated exiled Iranian Kurdish groups in northern Iraq.

The Swedish Prosecution Authority in Stockholm

The Swedish Prosecution Authority in Stockholm

Sweden charges suspected fundraiser for Kurdish militants

Prosecutors said the case was the first time someone in Sweden has been charged with raising money for the PKK.

A view of Sweden's Supreme Court in Stockholm

A view of Sweden's Supreme Court in Stockholm

Sweden Supreme Court: OK to send PKK supporter to Turkey

The court has approved the move ahead of NATO membership talks with Ankara. Turkey has used its NATO vote to pressure St

A woman waves a flag at a protest against the Iranian regime in Berlin

A woman waves a flag at a protest against the Iranian regime in Berlin

Iran summons Swiss ambassador over anti-executions tweet

Iranian officials have also decried the "false flag" of pre-revolutionary Iran shown in the Swiss embassy tweet.

Osman Kavala - Eine Stimme aus dem Gefängnis

Osman Kavala - Eine Stimme aus dem Gefängnis

Osman Kavala - A voice from prison

The Turkish human rights activist and arts patron Osman Kavala has been in prison since 2017.

Riot police with shields seen in Istanbul

Riot police with shields seen in Istanbul

Turkey: 110 arrested over alleged Kurdish militant links

Turkish police say they have arrested scores over suspected links to the outlawed PKK militant group.

A file photo of US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber aircraft flying over a desert

A file photo of US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber aircraft flying over a desert

Syria: US forces kill senior 'Islamic State' leader

Khalid Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri, a senior IS leader tied to planned attacks in Europe, was killed in Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announces the date of the next elections at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on March 10, 2023

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announces the date of the next elections at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on March 10, 2023

Erdogan calls early Turkish elections for May

Turkey's president promised his campaign for a new five-year term will try to "heal the wounds" of earthquake victims.

Schweden | Treffen der EU Verteidigungsminister | Josep Borrell und Jens Stoltenberg

Schweden | Treffen der EU Verteidigungsminister | Josep Borrell und Jens Stoltenberg

Will Sweden bow to Turkey's demands on Kurds to join NATO?

Members of the Kurdish community are worried they'll pay the price for Stockholm's NATO membership.

An HDP banner during a rally in Istanbul

An HDP banner during a rally in Istanbul

Turkish court rejects bid to delay trial of Kurdish party

The pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party is facing possible court-ordered dissolution ahead of elections in May.

Ulf Kristersson and Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Ulf Kristersson and Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Sweden and Turkey give mixed messages over NATO bid

Stockholm has said that things are going well despite comments from Ankara that time is running out.

Turkish President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson speaking at press conference in Ankara in front of Turkish and Swedish flags

Turkish President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson speaking at press conference in Ankara in front of Turkish and Swedish flags

Turkey summons Swedish ambassador over Kurdish video

The video showed a puppet depicting Turkey's Erdogan hanging from a rope.

Hundreds of members of the Kurdish community demonstrate at the Place de la Republique in Paris on December 24, 2022, a day after a gunman opened fire at a Kurdish cultural centre killing three people.

Hundreds of members of the Kurdish community demonstrate at the Place de la Republique in Paris on December 24, 2022, a day after a gunman opened fire at a Kurdish cultural centre killing three people.

Paris shooting: Suspect admits hatred of foreigners

The suspect in a Paris shooting that left three Kurds dead told prosecutors he set out to kill foreigners.

Overturned vehicles on the streets of Paris

Overturned vehicles on the streets of Paris

Paris: Kurds protest after deadly shooting

The killing of three people in a shooting targeting a Kurdish center has sparked outrage in France's Kurdish community.

French police and firefighters secure a street after gunshots were fired killing two people

French police and firefighters secure a street after gunshots were fired killing two people

Paris shooting kills 3, suspected gunman arrested

Prosecutors opened a probe into a possible case of intentional homicide after the shooting at a Kurdish cultural center.

A bombed building in Derik, Syria

A bombed building in Derik, Syria

Turkish strikes hamper US-led counter-IS operations in Syria

Kurdish forces have asked the US and Russia to issue a stronger deterrent against Ankara.

Several hundred Iranians and their supporters demonstrated against what they called massacres by the Iranian authorities

Several hundred Iranians and their supporters demonstrated against what they called massacres by the Iranian authorities

At least 488 killed in Iran protests — NGO

An NGO said more than half had been killed in minority areas. Authorities put the toll at more than 300.

DW World Stories Sendungslogo Composite

DW World Stories Sendungslogo Composite

World Stories - The Week in Reports

Trains to Kherson; Turkey's concert bans; Italy's illegal fishing; Colombia's donkey-library

A file photo of Voria Ghafouri during a Champions League match

A file photo of Voria Ghafouri during a Champions League match

Iran arrests footballer Ghafouri after he backed protests

The football star is of Kurdish origin and has been a vocal critic of the Iranian government.

A burnt truck in the aftermath of airstrikes, which Turkey's defence ministry says it carried out, in Derik, Syria

A burnt truck in the aftermath of airstrikes, which Turkey's defence ministry says it carried out, in Derik, Syria

Kurds in the Middle East: Why are they under fire?

A recent escalation of violence by Turkey and Iran has targeted Kurds in Syria and Iraq. The reasons are strategic.

A view shows the aftermath of airstrikes in Syria, which Turkey's defense ministry says it carried out

A view shows the aftermath of airstrikes in Syria, which Turkey's defense ministry says it carried out

Turkey's Erdogan says Syrian airstrikes just 'the beginning'

Ankara is on the verge of launching a full-scale ground offensive in Syria, according to the Turkish president.

Iranian people protest against Islamic Republic regime in Sanandaj city in the northwestern Kurdistan region

Iranian people protest against Islamic Republic regime in Sanandaj city in the northwestern Kurdistan region

Iran protests: 40 foreigners arrested amid ongoing clampdown

Iran's judiciary said the detained foreigners will be tried under Iranian laws. The UN has slammed the deadly crackdown.

Iranian people protest against Islamic Republic regime in Sanandaj city in the northwestern Kurdistan region

Iranian people protest against Islamic Republic regime in Sanandaj city in the northwestern Kurdistan region

Iran: Rights groups warn of crackdown in Kurdish Mahabad

Meanwhile, Iran arrested two women actors, and its football captain also spoke up.

A military aircraft of Turkish Air Force lands at the Incirlik 10th Tanker Base Command in Saricam district, in Adana after Turkish military started the''Operation Olive Branch'' in Afrin on January 20, 2018.

A military aircraft of Turkish Air Force lands at the Incirlik 10th Tanker Base Command in Saricam district, in Adana after Turkish military started the''Operation Olive Branch'' in Afrin on January 20, 2018.

Turkey air strikes hit northern Syria, Iraq

Turkey launched air strikes in Syria and Iraq, hitting Kurdish posts and Syrian army positions, a war monitor said.

A man, woman and two children sit on a bench, out of focus, behind a wire fence with clothing hung on it

A man, woman and two children sit on a bench, out of focus, behind a wire fence with clothing hung on it

Germany: Dramatic increase in number of Turkish refugees

With the political and economic situation in Turkey increasingly tense, more and more Turks are fleeing to Germany.

Civil unrest in the Kurdish city of Sanandaj

Civil unrest in the Kurdish city of Sanandaj

Iran: Fresh protests erupt after death of Kurdish student

Demonstrators in the northwestern city of Marivan are angered by the reported killing of 35-year-old Nasrin Ghaderi.

Türkei Ilkay Akkaya, Sängerin

Türkei Ilkay Akkaya, Sängerin

Music festival bans in Turkey

In Turkey, more music festivals and concerts are being banned than ever before.

Blood on the floor of the Shiite shrine

Blood on the floor of the Shiite shrine

Iran vows to 'punish' Shiite shrine massacre perpetrators

President Raisi vowed a "severe response" to a massacre at a Shiite shrine.

A Kurdish peshmerga fighter inspects the damage following an Iranian cross-border attack

A Kurdish peshmerga fighter inspects the damage following an Iranian cross-border attack

Iraq grappling with goverment crisis, pressure from Iran

Armed attacks near the border with Iran, rockets in Baghdad and an arduous path to government spell an instable autumn.

An Iranian woman stands on a car and waves a torch during a protest rally

An Iranian woman stands on a car and waves a torch during a protest rally

Iran army attacks Kurds in Iraq amid protests

The government has alleged that there have been arms deliveries to anti-government protesters in Iran's Kurdish regions.

Protesters burn the portrait of the Turkish President during a demonstration condemning the artillery bombardment of a Kurdish hill village, .

Protesters burn the portrait of the Turkish President during a demonstration condemning the artillery bombardment of a Kurdish hill village, .

What is Turkey's strategy in Iraq, Syria?

Turkey's campaigns against Kurdish fighters in Iraq and Syria are under scrutiny after a deadly bombing of tourists.

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Kurds in Sweden fear crackdown, extradition

Sweden's Kurds are worried about Turkey’s efforts to have Kurdish activists and others extradited.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the NATO summit in Madrid in June

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the NATO summit in Madrid in June

Turkey threatens to 'freeze' NATO bids

The Turkish veto against Finland and Sweden's bids to join the defense alliance was only lifted last month.

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in front of NATO sign

Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in front of NATO sign

Would Sweden deport Turkish exiles to join NATO?

Sweden may no longer be a safe harbor for many who fled persecution by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Portrait of Turkish President Erogan

Portrait of Turkish President Erogan

What now for the Nordic NATO bids?

Turkey is forcing Finland and Sweden to keep knocking on NATO's door a bit longer.