CRY FREEDOM.net
formerly known as
Women's Liberation Front
'Insight is the first step of resistance against any ideologic form of dictatorial and misogynistic oppression'
and
'Freedom is like a bird
that nests in ones' soul'

Welcome to cryfreedom.net, formerly known as Womens Liberation Front.  A website that hopes to draw and keeps your attention for  both the global 21th. century 3rd. feminist revolution as well as especially for the Zan, Zendegi, Azadi uprising in Iran and the struggles of our sisters in other parts of the Middle East. This online magazine that started December 2019 will be published every 2 days. Thank you for your time and interest. 
Gino d'Artali
indept investigative journalist
radical feminist and women's rights activist 
'WOMEN, LIFE, FREEDOM'

You are now at the section on what is happening in the rest of the Middle east
(Updates April 15, 2025)
For the Iran 'Woman, Life, Freedom' Iran   
April 11, 2025

International Womens Day Middle East 2025
Actual News: April 11, 2025

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Click here for an overview of the Women's Arab Spring Revolt 1.2 2024 and 2023

 When one hurts or kills a women
one hurts or kills hummanity and is an antrocitie.
Gino d'Artali
and: My mother (1931-1997) always said to me <Mi figlio, non esistono notizie <vecchie> perche puoi imparare qualcosa da qualsiasi notizia.> Translated: <My son, there is no such thing as so called 'old' news because you can learn something from any news.>
Gianna d'Artali.

YPJ The Women’s Protection Units fighters

 Jinha - Womens News Agency - April 14, 2025
<<SIHA Network condemns attack on Zamzam IDP Camp in North Darfur
The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA Network) released a press statement, condemning the attack of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the Zamzam IDP Camp in North Darfur on Saturday.
News Center- The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA Network) released a press statement, condemning “the brutal attack of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)” on the Zamzam IDP Camp in North Darfur on Saturday. More than 112 civilians, including children and women, were killed in the attacks on the IDPs camp in North Darfur on Saturday. “We are dismayed and shocked by the loss of community workers and volunteers from the women-led community kitchen we have been supporting and partnering with inside the Camp,” the statement said, accusing the RSF of deliberately targeting civilian-run service points “as a strategy of forced eviction and control.” “The attack on the camp’s services – the only operational medical facility, the burning of the women-led community kitchen, and the killing of children are not isolated acts of violence. They are part of a systematic effort to dismantle the spaces that provide care, dignity, and survival for displaced communities — forcing civilians to either flee or perish and turning displacement camps into militarized zones of control and violence.” The network called for the urgent presence of United Nations and African Union forces on the ground to “prevent further genocidal acts against the region ‘s population. This is to control the spread of militarism and violence against civilians throughout Sudan and neighboring countries. We underscore that justice and accountability are the cornerstones of sustainable peace and stability in Sudan and the Darfur region. A political process that promotes impunity would only result in more bloodshed and horrors throughout Sudan.”>>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/siha-network-condemns-attack-on-zamzam-idp-camp-in-north-darfur-36864


Police use live ammunition against protestors
Medyanews - April 14, 2025
<<Balochistan: Police use live ammunition against protestors calling for release of activists
Baloch protesters held major protests across Pakistan's Balochistan province demanding the immediate release of leading activists of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee including the well-known woman activist Dr Mahrang Baloch. Thousands of protesters across Pakistan’s Balochistan province and Baloch-majority Karachi have taken to the streets to demand the immediate release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders, including prominent activist Dr Mahrang Baloch.

Mahrang Baloch
Major rallies and sit-ins took place in cities such as Dalbandin, Kalat, Mastung, Gwadar, Quetta, Hub Chowki and Turbat in Balochistan province, in response to a call for action by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). Security forces met the women-led protests with brutal force, directly attacking demonstrators at several locations and opening live fire on a peaceful protest in Malir, Karachi. Dr Mahrang Baloch was among those arrested during a police crackdown on a sit-in protest in Quetta, Pakistan, on 22 March. Pakistani police also seized the bodies of three young people killed by Pakistani forces during the Quetta protests. Protesters, led by women and children, rally for the release from custody of leading activists of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. The BYC has accused Pakistani intelligence agents of harassing detained BYC leaders and activists including Mahrang Baloch, Bebagr Baloch and Shah Jee Baloch, who are currently being held in Hudda Jail in Quetta. In a post on X, the BYC stated that Pakistani intelligence agents had disguised themselves as local police officers, interrogated the imprisoned activists and tried to force them into signing documents that would severely restrict their personal rights. The BYC said that during the five-hour interrogation, prisoners were asked “irrelevant personal questions”, including inquiries about close friends, family members, daily routines, social interactions and financial details such as bank accounts. After the interrogation, detainees were offered bail under strict conditions, including bans from visiting public spaces, restricted access to travel hubs, and the requirement of police approval to attend events, enter media outlets, move house or leave the city.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/balochistan-police-use-live-ammunition-against-protestors-calling-for-release-of-activists/


Anfal Massacre as genocide
Medyanews - April 14, 2025
<<DEM Party calls for Turkey to recognise Anfal Massacre as genocide
The DEM Party announces a draft law in Turkey’s parliament seeking official recognition of the Anfal Massacre, Saddam Hussein’s genocidal campaign carried out against Kurds in Iraq in 1988. The move is framed as part of efforts to address historical injustices and foster reconciliation. The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party has announced plans to submit a draft law to the Turkish parliament recognising the 1988 Anfal Massacre as a genocide, marking the 37th anniversary of the atrocities committed by Saddam Hussein’s regime against Kurdish civilians in Iraq. The proposed legislation was confirmed by DEM Party parliamentary group deputy chair Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit during a press conference at the Turkish Grand National Assembly on Monday. Koçyiğit said the Anfal Massacre continues to occupy a vivid place in the collective memory of Kurds and remains unpunished, describing it as one of several Kurdish massacres that have gone unaddressed in both Turkey and internationally. The Anfal campaign, led by Saddam Hussein’s cousin Ali Hassan al-Majid—known as “Chemical Ali”—took place between 1986 and 1989, with its most intense phase in 1988. The campaign involved systematic attacks against Kurdish rural communities in northern Iraq, including aerial bombardments, ground assaults, mass executions and the use of chemical weapons. One of the most notorious attacks was the chemical assault on Halabja on 16 March 1988, in which up to 5,000 civilians were killed. Estimates of the death toll from the Anfal campaign range widely. Human Rights Watch has cited figures between 50,000 and 100,000, while Kurdish sources and some international organisations estimate up to 182,000 fatalities. Thousands of villages were destroyed, and survivors were forcibly displaced or interned. Koçyiğit noted that the massacre has been officially recognised as a genocide by several governments, including Iraq, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. She stated that the DEM Party’s proposed law is intended to secure similar recognition in Turkey, expressing hope for a unified and constructive response in parliament. “This will not only address the historic pain of the Kurdish people but also contribute positively to discussions on the democratic resolution of the Kurdish issue and efforts to reshape relations between Kurds and Turks,” she said. In a separate statement, Yüksel Mutlu, DEM Party’s deputy co-chair for the Peoples and Beliefs Commission, marked the anniversary by commemorating the victims and reaffirming the party’s commitment to justice. Mutlu described Anfal as “a comprehensive annihilation campaign against the Kurdish people’s language, culture, history and future”, declaring that the crime should not remain unpunished.
The Anfal Massacre, named after the eighth chapter of the Quran, “Al-Anfal” (meaning “the spoils of war”), was carried out under the pretext of suppressing Kurdish resistance during the Iran-Iraq War, as part of a wider policy of Arabising strategic areas around oil-rich Kirkuk (Kerkûk).>>
Sources: https://medyanews.net/dem-party-calls-for-turkey-to-recognise-anfal-massacre-as-genocide/


Kurdish fighters
Medyanews - April 14, 2025
<<Kurdish fighters accuse Turkey of using banned weapons, escalating attacks during PKK ceasefire
Turkish attacks on guerrilla positions in northern Iraq have continued since the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) declared a unilateral ceasefire on 1 March, according to the movement's military wing, the People's Defence Forces (HPG), who accuse Turkey of using banned chemical and phosphorus weapons in its campaign and report that five HPG fighters have been killed in escalating attacks on the Zap region since 20 March. Turkey has continued attacks on Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) guerrillas, ignoring a unilateral ceasefire the group declared on 1 March, the People’s Defence Forces (HPG) announced on Sunday. According to the HPG, attacks have escalated since 20 March, primarily targeting the Zap region along the Turkish border in northern Iraq. In its statement, the HPG said the Turkish state has continued “using banned weapons, phosphorus bombs and chemical agents and carrying out intensive bombardments” against guerrilla positions and tunnels since last autumn. The Turkish army has suffered significant losses in the strategic area of Zap over the past three years. The HPG stated that the attacks have damaged not only guerrilla positions but also villages in the Zap region, where houses have been struck by shells and ammunition. No civilian casualties have been reported. “Cowardice is the only explanation for the Turkish occupying army taking advantage of the situation of our forces to attack them when they are trying to change their position,” the HPG said, accusing the Turkish state of “extreme opportunism”. The HPG press centre announced that five guerrilla fighters were killed in the escalating clashes in Zap, naming them as Abbas, Lorîn, Rawan, Özgür and Besê, but provided no further details about their identities. They also released the names of three guerrillas killed in earlier Turkish attacks, in January and February of this year. They announced that a guerrilla unit had targeted and destroyed a Turkish tank using a kamikaze drone on the morning of 13 March in response to the attacks. This is in keeping with their earlier statements that since the unilateral ceasefire they are limiting their actions strictly to legitimate self-defence, halting all offensive operations.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/kurdish-fighters-accuse-turkey-of-using-banned-weapons-escalating-attacks-during-pkk-ceasefire/

Medyanews - April 14, 2025
<<Istanbul mayor’s arrest precludes further Turkey-EU membership talks says German Minister
German Culture Minister Claudia Roth says Turkey’s recent political crackdowns, including the arrest of İstanbul’s mayor, have derailed hopes of restarting EU membership talks. She warns that President Erdoğan’s actions are weakening Turkey’s democracy. German Culture Minister Claudia Roth has declared that the European Union cannot resume membership negotiations with Turkey following the arrest of İstanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu and other political actions. Speaking to Turkish media outlet T24 on Monday, Roth described Turkey’s government as responsible for undermining its own democratic credentials. Roth, a prominent figure in Germany’s Alliance 90/The Greens party, visited İstanbul to show solidarity with the three times democratically elected İmamoğlu, and others affected by what she called Turkey’s authoritarian measures. She noted that prior to the March operation, Germany’s government, informed by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, had viewed restarting Turkey’s stalled EU accession talks as feasible. “Those conditions no longer exist,” Roth stated, citing a lack of judicial and institutional independence in Turkey. The minister’s remarks follow various controversial moves by Turkey, including the arrest of İmamoğlu, which Roth described as politically motivated. She also referred to widespread protests across cities like Kurdish-majority Diyarbakır (Amed) and Van (Wan), as well as the traditionally more right-leaning Trabzon and Rize, reflecting wide-spread public discontent. “The Turkish people value elections deeply, and disregarding that risks a heavy price,” she warned, noting the economic strain the country finds itself under, with reserves reportedly depleted by 40 to 50 billion dollars since March. Roth, who first visited Turkey in 1986 to protest at environmental damage, has long engaged with its politics, often facing criticism from Turkish authorities for her stance on Kurdish rights. She recounted a 1990s legal victory against a Turkish politician’s insults, donating the settlement to a women’s shelter. “I fought because it was right for all women facing such attacks,” she explained. Her criticism extended to the ongoing Kurdish peace talks in Turkey. She expressed scepticism, suggesting the move aims to divide opposition voters rather than foster peace. “A true peace process would free political prisoners like Selahattin Demirtaş and reinstate elected mayors,” she said, referring to Kurdish politicians replaced by government-appointed trustees. Roth also reflected on her past support for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s early reforms, admitting she had been “naive” to believe his democratic rhetoric. “He used it to convince romantic Europeans like me,” she said, citing his initial steps on religious freedoms as misleading. She now sees Turkey’s challenges—economic, democratic and social—as being tied to government policies. Roth’s visit, one of her last as a cabinet member before Germany’s new coalition government takes office on 5 May, reaffirmed her personal commitment. Recalling the 2013 Gezi Park protests, where she experienced tear gas at İstanbul’s Divan Hotel, Roth said, “I stay there every visit to honour those who resisted.” She added that Germany stands with Turkey’s democrats, students and journalists. Roth lamented that some European leaders prioritised Turkey as a migration buffer over its democratic health, a stance she called shortsighted. “A strong Turkey means a democratic one, not an authoritarian one,” she noted.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/istanbul-mayors-arrest-precludes-further-turkey-eu-membership-talks-says-german-minister/

Medyanews - April 14, 2025
<<Syria’s Kurds and Druzes reject draft constitution as non-inclusive
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Council has called for a stable political framework to support future peace talks, as demonstrators in Suwayda reject both the Assad government and newly appointed authorities. The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) held its regular General Assembly meeting in the north-eastern Syrian city of al-Hasakah (Hesekê) on Sunday, where participants called for a nationwide ceasefire and the creation of a stable foundation for Syria’s political future. The SDC is a political body affiliated with the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and includes various local political parties and representatives from across the region. At the meeting, members discussed recent geopolitical developments and their impact on Syria, highlighting the need for a new process of national dialogue. SDC Co-Chair Mehmûd El Mislet criticised the current constitutional draft, arguing that it fails to represent Syria’s diverse communities. “The Syrian people rose up against neglect and discrimination. It is no longer possible to ignore a large part of the population,” he said. El Mislet added that the SDC sees itself as a political bridge between Syria’s various components and a driving force for peaceful, democratic change. Mislet’s Co-Chair Leyla Qereman echoed this sentiment, warning against internal divisions and emphasising the urgent need for comprehensive political reform. “Syria needs inclusive dialogue and reconciliation more than ever before,” she stated. “Building a new Syria requires the establishment of trust and the strengthening of a shared national identity.” Participants stressed that a sustainable ceasefire is essential to prevent Syria from becoming a battleground for regional and international powers. They also discussed the future structure of the Syrian state and the importance of ensuring legal and political protections for all communities. One of their main criticisms was the exclusion of ethnic, religious and political diversity from both the constitutional process and the proposed future government. They argued that such exclusions entrench discrimination and contradict efforts to build a modern, democratic state based on equal citizenship, justice and pluralism. The SDC meeting came on the same day as renewed protests in Suwayda, a Druze-majority city in southern Syria, where residents denounced both the Assad government and the appointment of Ahmed al-Sharaa, (formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani) as interim president. The Suwayda Military Council, a newly formed Druze-led coalition, has declared its mission to restore order in Syria’s southern province following the withdrawal of government forces. Dozens gathered in the city’s central Kerameh Square carrying banners that read “Jolani does not represent us” and “The murderer is the same from Daraa to the coast”. Protesters accused the new leadership of attempting to impose authority through force and to undermine the people’s will. Several lawyers at the protest described al-Sharaa as a figure with extremist and authoritarian views, stating that his leadership aims to reverse the country’s progress and establish a regime based on narrow ideological interests.
Demonstrator Şehîra Tirodî said, “We took to the streets to demand the fall of the Assad regime and the creation of a state that respects all its components. But Jolani is taking us backwards.” Another protester, Basîme El Eqebanî, stressed the need for a truly democratic state that guarantees equality for all Syrians, not just one group. Protesters also condemned recent violence in Syria’s coastal cities, linking the attacks to sectarianism and religious extremism. They accused the provisional Damascus-based government of establishing ministries that serve as instruments of control, rather than reflecting the public’s demand for justice and freedom.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/syrias-kurds-and-druzes-reject-draft-constitution-as-non-inclusive/


Tishreen dam - a symbol of freedom
Medyanews - April 13, 2025
<<Damascus forces join SDF at Tishreen Dam to enforce ceasefire, strengthen security
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) met with the Syrian caretaker government for a second time in al-Hasakah (Hesekê) on Saturday to implement an eight-point agreement signed in March. This deal ensures constitutional rights for Kurds, supports the return of displaced people, and establishes a unified military and government. Damascus subsequently deployed security forces to the Tishreen Dam to help maintain stability. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian caretaker government convened their second meeting in al-Hasakah (Hesekê) on Saturday, three weeks after their initial talks. The meeting focused on implementing an eight-point agreement, finalised on 19 March 2025, to promote peace across Syria. The agreement commits to constitutional protections for Kurds, including citizenship and political participation, while integrating the SDF into Syria’s national armed forces and merging institutions of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) into a unified government structure. However, the specifics of these rights, such as the degree of regional autonomy or detailed legal safeguards, remain uncertain and hinge on future negotiations, particularly regarding Syria’s new constitution. The SDF and Kurdish leaders advocate for a federal system to preserve local governance, a stance that conflicts with the interim government’s preference for centralisation. SDF General Commanders Mazloum Abdi and Rohilat Afrin led their delegation, meeting Damascus representatives former governor of Deir ez-Zor (Dêrazor) Hussein al-Salama, and Muhammad Qanatri. The discussions highlighted the importance of protecting the Tishreen Dam from attacks by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), ensuring national security against direct Turkish aggression, as well as the task of assisting internally displaced people, particularly those from Afrin (Efrîn), to return home safely. Following the meeting, a military convoy of security forces arrived at the Tishreen Dam from Damascus, and on Saturday, a delegation from the International Coalition Forces joined them there to support these efforts. The meeting also announced a committee to represent North and East Syria in dialogue with Damascus, comprising Foza Yûsif, Ebid Hamid El Mihbaş, Ehmed Yûsif, Senherîb Bersûm and Sozdar Hacî, with Meryem Îbrahîm and Yasir Silêman as spokespersons.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/damascus-forces-join-sdf-at-tishreen-dam-to-enforce-ceasefire-strengthen-security/

Medyanews - April 13, 2025
<<“Injustice is like damp—it spreads if ignored”: Ahmet Altan speaks out on censorship, injustice in Turkey
Turkish writer Ahmet Altan warns that fear-driven silence creates “a prison no one can save you from”, likening lawlessness in Turkey to damp spreading through a room. In an interview with French television, he reflects on imprisonment, protest and the power of writing. Prominent Turkish journalist and author Ahmet Altan has described fear and repression in Turkey as pervasive, warning that remaining silent out of fear is akin to building a personal prison from which there is no escape. Speaking to France TV in a rare interview on 10 April, Altan—who was imprisoned for four years and seven months in Silivri Prison before being released in 2021—reflected on the freedom of expression, political risk and the enduring power of literature. “Turkey is full of risks,” Altan said. “It’s like a minefield—you never know where you’re stepping. I cannot live my life surrounded by fear. But if you choose silence out of fear, you have created a prison for yourself, and no one can save you from it.” The interview, conducted by renowned French presenter Augustin Trapenard, was filmed in Turkey with a production team of eight. Trapenard travelled to Istanbul to meet Altan, who remains subject to a travel ban. The conversation touched on Altan’s writing, his years behind bars and the wider political atmosphere in Turkey. Altan compared widespread legal uncertainty to damp spreading through a room, saying that injustice often begins by targeting minorities and marginalised groups. “If you ignore it because you think you’re not affected, it eventually spreads everywhere,” he said. He highlighted recent protests against the possible imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu as a turning point. “For the first time, a very large part of the population has faced lawlessness directly and is now reacting. We don’t know where Turkey is headed, but millions of young people taking to the streets to demand justice is a significant development.” Altan argued that Turkey has never fully experienced the rule of law or democracy. Citing his own family’s history, he recalled how both he and his father were imprisoned for their writings, and said he had always known that being a writer in Turkey meant facing danger. “When I was a child, my father had to go to court every morning. I thought all fathers did that,” he said. “Writers in Turkey are at risk. I knew that from the beginning.” Despite these challenges, Altan said writing offered a form of liberation during his imprisonment. “You are locked in a small cell and others can decide where you are—but you choose how you are,” he said. “Writing helped me escape. The walls of the prison couldn’t withstand the power of the written word.” Describing literature as “a miracle”, Altan stressed its lasting value. “Everything passes, but literature remains,” he said. “Of course, you want to be published and read in your native language. But I don’t believe in borders when it comes to literature.” He rejected the idea of writers being morally superior, instead portraying the profession as one of solitude, discipline and emotional complexity. “Writers are not especially good people,” he said. “This is not a job for the kind-hearted. It’s something you do alone, often for years.”
Altan also called for solidarity among thinkers, saying that now is a time for unity. “There is no formal group for writers, but all thinkers must come together,” he said. Despite the risks, Altan said the act of writing continues to protect him. “Being able to write through all this is a gift. It shields me from everything—from prison, from life, from death. Writing makes me happy,” he said.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/injustice-is-like-damp-it-spreads-if-ignored-ahmet-altan-speaks-out-on-censorship-injustice-in-turkey/

Medyanews - April 13, 2025
<<Rome conference reclaims momentum for Öcalan’s freedom and renewed peace process in Turkey
Over 350 delegates gathered in Rome to call for the release of imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan from his Turkish prison and to back the growing peace process. The city holds powerful symbolism, as it was here that Öcalan sought asylum in 1998 before his abduction by Turkey. Pro-Kurdish DEM Party MP Pervin Buldan announced forthcoming talks with the Justice Minister and a likely new meeting with Öcalan. Her message: Peace benefits everyone. The international conference “Freedom for Öcalan – A political solution for the Kurdish question”, which opened on 11 April in Rome, brought two days of intensive discussion, strategic planning and global solidarity. Held at the city’s Frentani Congress Centre, the event welcomed over 350 delegates from more than 20 countries, representing political organisations, academic circles, legal networks, trade unions and activist groups. It was organised by the Global Campaign for Freedom for Öcalan, first launched in 2016 — marking a significant milestone in the campaign’s international journey. Abdullah Öcalan, the Kurdish leader and founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has been held in solitary confinement on Turkey’s İmralı Island since 1999. Now in his 26th year of imprisonment, Öcalan faces severe restrictions, including long stretches without legal or family visits. Human rights groups, international lawyers and political institutions have long condemned his treatment as a violation of international law. Campaigners argue that Öcalan’s freedom is essential for a political solution to the Kurdish question and for democratising both Turkey and the wider Middle East. Since the relaunch of the campaign in October 2023, there have been notable breakthroughs. Öcalan’s incommunicado detention was partially lifted after several years of total isolation — a major victory for the campaign. Since October 2024, five restricted visits to İmralı have been permitted. Delegates at the conference credited these changes to sustained international pressure and mass mobilisation. A key focus of the event was Öcalan’s peace appeal of 27 February, in which he outlined a framework for peace and democratic transformation based on democratic confederalism — a model centred on grassroots democracy, gender equality and ecological sustainability. The appeal drew wide international attention and was welcomed by states, parliaments and civil society actors alike. Delegates saw it as a revival of a peace process earlier initiated by Öcalan and the Turkish government, now gaining fresh momentum amid shifting regional dynamics. The conference opened with powerful keynote speeches and solidarity messages from prominent international figures. Among them were Professor Kariane Westrheim, chair of the EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC); Zübeyde Zümrüt, spokesperson for the campaign and co-chair of the Kurdish Democratic Societies Congress in Europe (KCDK-E); and Simon Dubbins from the UK’s Unite the Union. The opening also featured a short documentary charting the campaign’s achievements since October 2023, showcasing its expanding influence. Speakers included Italian MP Nicola Fratoianni, Basque MP Diana Urrea Herrera and Kurdish Women’s Movement in Europe (TJK-E) member Haskar Kırmızıgül, who all underlined the importance of international solidarity in the Kurdish struggle. Maurizio Acerbo, General Secretary of the Party of Communist Refoundation, and Massimiliano Smeriglio, MEP and a city of Rome councillor, recalled the symbolic significance of Rome itself — the city where Öcalan sought asylum in 1998 before being forced to flee. His subsequent abduction in Kenya in February 1999, in a joint operation involving the CIA, MOSSAD and Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency (MİT), remains infamous among Kurds as the “international conspiracy”. The second day focused on legal frameworks and regional experiences. A panel titled “Twenty-six years of the İmralı isolation system as the biggest test of law and politics” examined the legal mechanisms sustaining Öcalan’s isolation. Contributions came from legal experts Rengin Ergül and Şerife Ceren Uysal, as well as former Icelandic Justice Minister Ögmundur Jónasson. The discussion revealed how Öcalan’s treatment not only breaches international standards but also entrenches authoritarianism in Turkey. Later sessions explored how Öcalan’s democratic society model is applied in practice — particularly in North and East Syria (Rojava) — and assessed its continuing relevance within Turkey. Speakers included pro-Kurdish Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party MPs Pervin Buldan and Ömer Öcalan, Foza Yusuf of northern Syria’s Democratic Union Party (PYD) and Idris Baluken, a former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MP involved in the 2013–2015 İmralı peace talks. Their case studies showcased participatory governance, women’s leadership and pluralistic politics inspired by Öcalan’s writings, presenting them as credible alternatives to state-centric systems in the region. Particularly powerful were the speeches by Pervin Buldan and Ömer Öcalan, reflecting on their recent visits to İmralı. They emphasised Öcalan’s unwavering commitment to peace, his faith in democratic struggle and his vision of a future built on solidarity between Kurds and Turks. Both reiterated the indispensable role of women in leading peace processes, echoing Öcalan’s long-held conviction that gender liberation is a cornerstone of any just society. Buldan, a senior DEM Party figure and one of the first to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Öcalan’s behalf during earlier talks, announced that new steps may be imminent:
“After this, we will have a meeting with the Minister of Justice, who will be visiting us.
Then we will probably have another meeting with Mr Öcalan on the island of İmralı. This process is expected to be completed in a few months — by the end of June.” She described these moves as indicators of a wider shift:
“Every step taken is also a path to Mr Öcalan’s physical freedom.”
Buldan appealed for support from European countries, stressing that: “Everyone will be the winner in peace — Turkey, the Kurds, Alevis, women, youth, the East and the West.” She recalled the gains of the previous three-year peace process:
“No one lost their lives, no mothers cried, no young people went underground.”
And closed with a clear message:
“It is in our hands to make this process a success.”
Their testimonies confirmed that Öcalan remains not only a major intellectual force but also a living political figure whose ideas continue to inspire international dialogue. The conference will wind up with a final panel session and concluding forum. A closing declaration will then be issued, setting out collective strategies for advancing the campaign and securing Öcalan’s freedom.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/rome-conference-reclaims-momentum-for-ocalans-freedom-and-renewed-peace-process-in-turkey/

Medyanews - April 13, 2025
<<Rome conference calls for Kurdish leader Öcalan’s nomination for Nobel Peace Prize
The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan – A Political Solution to the Kurdish Question international conference held in Rome stressed that the Kurdish leader's freedom is vital for the advancement of any peace process in Turkey, and proposed nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize. The final declaration of a conference in Rome has called on European countries to apply political pressure to Turkey to encourage it to engage in a lasting peace process with the Kurds. The declaration stressed that the release of imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan is a necessary condition for a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish question in Turkey. Emphasising Öcalan’s crucial role in potential peace negotiations, the conference also proposed nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan – A Political Solution to the Kurdish Question international conference was held in Rome on 11–12 April, with 360 delegates attending from across Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia. The event formed part of the broader campaign, originally launched in 2016 and relaunched on 10 October 2023 under the same title. Reading the final declaration, Italian lawyer Michela Arricale said the conference welcomed and supported the Call for Peace and a Democratic Society issued by Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February, as well as the subsequent ceasefire announced by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on 1 March. These developments were described as “a further commitment of the Kurdish side to peace”. “However, the conference participants view the Turkish government’s continued refusal to respond to Öcalan’s call and the PKK’s unilateral ceasefire as a cause for serious concern,” the declaration stated. It also highlighted that recent waves of arrests targeting mayors, journalists and lawyers in Turkey have fuelled deep mistrust in official statements regarding a potential peace process.
The declaration outlined a series of proposals aimed at resolving the Kurdish question, including expanding international initiatives to grant honorary citizenship to Abdullah Öcalan, as has already been done in several Italian cities. It further noted that over the past two years, the Freedom for Öcalan campaign has reached a wide global audience. Events have applied pressure on international institutions such as the Council of Europe, its Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) and the Turkish government. The final declaration also called for a Global Day of Action on 1 September – World Peace Day – led by trade unions and wider social movements in capital cities across the world. These activities, carried out as part of the campaign, have helped to spread Öcalan’s paradigm of democratic confederalism – rooted in women’s liberation, ecological awareness and grassroots democracy – which the declaration described as “a source of inspiration for societies around the world”. It concluded by reaffirming that Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom is essential for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey. Such a breakthrough, it said, could “lead to the democratisation of Turkey” and “encourage parallel positive changes in Syria, Rojava, Iraq, South Kurdistan and the entire Middle East”.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/rome-conference-calls-for-kurdish-leader-ocalans-nomination-for-nobel-peace-prize/


Calls grow for release of seriously ill, severely disabled prisoners
Medyanews - April 13, 2025
<<Calls grow for release of seriously ill, severely disabled prisoners in Turkey
Human rights groups and families are urging the Turkish authorities to release seriously ill and disabled prisoners, including political prisoners Soydan Akay and Emin Aladağ, amid claims of medical neglect and unlawful detention. Human rights advocates and families are urging the Turkish authorities to release seriously ill and severely disabled prisoners, highlighting the prolonged solitary confinement and repeated denial of medical parole for inmates such as Soydan Akay and Emin Aladağ. Akay, who is held in Marmara L-Type Closed Prison in Silivri, Istanbul, has been hospitalised seven times since March, including three emergency admissions. Despite a history of heart attacks and multiple chronic illnesses, he remains in solitary confinement. His lawyer states that although Akay completed the maximum legal threshold of 30 years for conditional release in August 2023, the prison’s Administrative and Monitoring Board has postponed his parole four times without explanation. Turkey’s independent Human Rights Association (İHD) has raised concerns over Akay’s treatment, claiming he was denied accurate medical information after suffering a heart attack in March. The group argues that ongoing restrictions on legal visits and communication violate Akay’s rights under Turkish penal law. Şafi Hayme, a former cellmate and now a board member of the Federation of Legal Aid Associations for Families of Remand Prisoners and Convicts (MED TUHAD-FED), called for immediate state action. “There are hundreds of seriously ill prisoners like Akay. A new process has started, and if the state does not take steps, people will lose faith in it,” he said. Hayme referenced recent gestures by jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and said the government must respond in kind. Protests have taken place in İstanbul and Ankara, where rights groups highlighted the cases of Akay and Aladağ. At the 681st weekly “F Session” vigil in İstanbul, the İHD displayed banners reading “Healthcare is a right, it may not be denied” and “Isolation kills, solidarity maintains life”. Family members and supporters carried photographs of the prisoners and urged the authorities to act. Oya Ersoy, Secretary of the İHD’s Istanbul branch, said Akay’s imprisonment has violated both medical ethics and legal norms. According to Ersoy, Akay’s conversations with his lawyer are monitored and recorded, while his prolonged isolation since 2018 contravenes his legal status. “His health and life are being deliberately endangered,” she said. In Ankara, the Freedom for Sick Prisoners Initiative marked its 553rd weekly protest by focusing on the case of Emin Aladağ, held in Elazığ High Security Prison. Aladağ, who suffers from multiple chronic illnesses and partial paralysis, has a certified 87% disability rating according to the Turkish system of diagnosis, which carries legal weight. Despite this, requests for external medical treatment have been repeatedly denied. Rights groups say his deteriorating condition makes it impossible for him to function without help from fellow inmates.
Adding to the scrutiny, Meral Danış Beştaş, co-spokesperson of the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) and a Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party MP, visited Marmara Prison on Saturday. In a post on social media, she said that the conditions for many inmates remain dire. “We saw 37 people held in wards built for seven. The prisons are overflowing—with students, dissidents and Kurds,” she wrote. Beştaş argued that discriminatory treatment against Kurdish inmates continues, and called for equal application of justice regardless of political opinion or ethnicity.
The treatment of political prisoners, including those who are seriously ill, has also become a subject of discussion in the context of ongoing peace talks in Turkey. Rights groups and Kurdish representatives say that addressing prison conditions and ending discriminatory practices are vital steps for restoring trust and advancing any meaningful negotiation process. Meanwhile, official figures from Turkey’s General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Centres reveal that the country’s prisons are severely overcrowded. As of 11 April, 403,060 people were incarcerated in facilities built to house just under 300,000—an excess of over 103,000 inmates.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/calls-grow-for-release-of-seriously-ill-severely-disabled-prisoners-in-turkey/

Medyanews - April 13, 2025
<<Mother-tongue education must be constitutionally protected, say trade unionists
Experts and activists at an education union workshop in Diyarbakir (Amed) have demanded constitutional guarantees for Kurdish and Syriac education and urged an end to assimilationist language policies to foster equality. A workshop titled “Towards solutions in mother-tongue education: Opportunities, obstacles, suggestions” has been held in Turkey’s Diyarbakır (Amed) to advocate for the protection of Kurdish and Syriac language rights through education and legal reforms. The event was held by Turkey’s Education and Science Workers’ Union (Eğitim Sen) and gathered together academics, lawyers, linguists and representatives from the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party. Cemile Turhallı, a spokesperson for the DEM Party’s Language, Culture and Arts Commission, delivered a speech in Kurmancî (Kurmanji – the dialect of Kurdish most used within the borders of Turkey). “The right to mother-tongue education is not just a political issue—it’s tied to life, health, education and protection from mistreatment,” she said. “Societies that fail to achieve linguistic peace cannot build internal harmony.” Turhallı called for an end to the definition of citizenship restricted to ethnic exclusivity, saying the basis of citizenship of the Republic of Turkey should instead be based on equality, and urged amendments to discriminatory constitutional clauses, such as Articles 3, 4, 42 and 66.* Boğaziçi University Professor of Educational Sciences Fatma Gök addressed the impact of monolingual education policies, describing them as tools of cultural suppression. “The production of knowledge in Turkey has been rooted in Turkification, yet Kurdish communities have resisted relentless efforts at assimilation,” she explained. Gök equated linguistic suppression to cultural genocide, driven by prohibitions and forced abandonment of native languages. Writer Dilawer Zeraq argued that assimilation targets consciousness rather than language itself. “Language is shaped by consciousness—when that’s eroded, assimilation takes hold,” he said. Zeraq stressed the need for community-driven systems outside state control, noting, “Despite 20 years of efforts, we haven’t fully succeeded. To counter assimilation, we must first build our own structures.” Linguists Sami Tan and Mehemed Tayfun (more commonly known by his pen-name of Malmîsanij) focused on the neglect of the Kurmancî dialect, warning that the survival of a language depends on its recognised status. “Language work should not be confined to conference halls—it must reach every street and neighbourhood,” Tan urged, advocating for grassroots revitalisation. Evgil Türker, president of the Syriac Associations Federation (SÜDEF), highlighted the ancient heritage of Syriac in the Middle East, lamenting its exclusion from Turkish schools. “Blocking mother-tongue education is cultural genocide,” he warned, citing an application to open a Syriac school, unanswered since 2013. The third session of the workshop featured international perspectives. Professor Robert Dunbar from the University of Edinburgh shared lessons from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Canada, where languages like Irish and French were revived through education reforms. “In Ireland, grassroots efforts by families led to Irish-medium schools,” he noted. Dr Paul Bilbao Sarría, from Spain’s Basque Autonomous Region, described the resurgence of the Basque language, saying, “A language doesn’t vanish on its own—it is suppressed. Recognition and education are key to revival.” Both speakers underlined the role of multilingualism in fostering social peace and equal citizenship. The event also addressed practical challenges. Malmîsanij noted the scarcity of media in the Kurmanji dialect, such as television channels, while Tan called for the mapping of Kurdish dialects to ensure their daily use. Türker pointed to Syriac education models in northern Syria and Iraq as examples Turkey could follow, criticising the state’s failure to implement existing laws on minority languages. Mesut Kertiş, co-chair of the Association for the Advancement of Culture and Language, criticised the closure of Kurdish institutions under allegations of ‘terrorism’, saying, “Schools and cultural venues are repeatedly targeted, stripping people of their linguistic freedom.” Meanwhile, in Van (Wan), Mesut Kertiş, co-chair of the Association for the Advancement of Culture and Language (KURDÎGEH), reinforced the demands of the workshop in Diyarbakır, pressing the Turkish state to grant official status to Kurdish. Forty-six days after Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call for peace and democratic reform issued from İmralı Prison on 27 February, Kertiş noted growing public support but no tangible action from the authorities. “The state must act swiftly—a vital step is recognising Kurdish in education, healthcare and academia,” he said on Sunday, highlighting the cultural richness of the language and the need for legal protections to end its suppression. Kertiş’s remarks echo the workshop’s push to revise constitutional provisions which mandate Turkish as the sole official language and ban mother-tongue education in Kurdish. He criticised the closure of Kurdish institutions under “terrorism” allegations, saying, “Schools and cultural venues are repeatedly targeted, stripping people of their linguistic freedom.” Kertiş urged unrestricted access to Kurdish education and cultural activities, like theatre, free from state prohibitions, to establish a legal environment where Kurdish culture can flourish. The Diyarbakır workshop continues on Sunday 13 April, with presentations by Haydar Diljen, Yıldırım Arslan and Figen Aras, exploring global education models and democratic approaches, followed by an open forum for further discussion.
(*) The articles mentioned—Articles 3, 4, 42 and 66 of the Turkish Constitution—are provisions that critics, including speakers at the Diyarbakır workshop, argue contribute to linguistic and cultural discrimination, particularly against Kurdish and other minority languages.>>
Read about the articles here: https://medyanews.net/mother-tongue-education-must-be-constitutionally-protected-say-trade-unionists/


Medyanews - April 12, 2025
<<UN experts welcome PKK ceasefire, urge for practical steps towards peace agreement with Turkey
United Nations experts have urged for concrete measures to pave the way towards a peace agreement between the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Turkish state. The experts welcomed the ceasefire declared by the PKK on 1 March and pointed out Turkey's continuing military attacks on alleged PKK targets. Experts of the United Nations (UN) have welcomed the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on 1 March, following Abdullah Öcalan’s ‘Call for Peace and a Democratic Society’ on 27 February, and urged the Turkish government to take concrete steps to ensure successful peace negotiations in Turkey. According to the press release issued on 11 April, UN experts urged the PKK and the Turkish state to “peacefully settle the conflict and respect applicable international humanitarian and human rights law” after “so much bloodshed and insecurity”.
The release noted that the PKK has linked its willingness to convene a congress to take the decision to dissolve itself and disarm, as proposed by Öcalan’s call, to the conditions of a “secure environment, a ceasefire by Türkiye, the creation of a legal mechanism for peace talks, and the release of its imprisoned leader”, referring to Öcalan. Furthermore, they acknowledged that the Turkish state has continued to attack “alleged PKK targets and armed groups in Iraq and Syria it believes are affiliated with the PKK” despite welcoming the ceasefire and insisting on a disarmament.
The UN experts also highlighted that even though multiple ceasefires have been declared by the PKK in the last decades, lasting peace could not be achieved and many civilians have been affected by the conflict. “We encourage the parties to learn from successful peace settlements elsewhere,” the experts said and listed proposals that should be included in a possible peace agreement such as the “disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and amnesties or pardons for those who have not committed international crimes” and justice processes leading to prosecutions and reparations for victims. The release highlighted the need to “address the root causes of violence to prevent the resumption of conflict” and the need for practical measures to support victims of violence including “material assistance, protection, tracing of missing persons and repatriation of the deceased”.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/un-experts-welcome-pkk-ceasefire-urge-for-practical-steps-towards-peace-agreement-with-turkey/


lawsuit against Syrian interim leader for alleged mass killings
Medyanews - April 12, 2025
<<France accepts lawsuit against Syrian interim leader for alleged mass killings
A French court has accepted a lawsuit accusing Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and top officials of genocide against Alawite civilians. The case alleges over 50 massacres in Syria’s coastal region. A French court has accepted a lawsuit against Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa (al-Jolani), and several ministers, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity. The case, filed on 11 April by French lawyer Pedro Andujar on behalf of the French-Alawite Assembly, a group representing Alawite immigrants in France, targets al-Sharaa, Defence Minister Merhef Abu Qasra, Interior Minister Enes Hattab, and Mohammed al-Jassim, commander of the 25th Division, also known as Abu Amsha. The lawsuit alleges their involvement in over 50 massacres in Syria’s coastal region, primarily targeting Alawite civilians, a minority sect to which ousted president Bashar al-Assad belongs. Legal documents detail severe violations, including the killing of at least 2,500 civilians, mostly Alawites, though some Christian and Sunni families were also affected. The accusations include murder, rape, arson, withholding death certificates, targeting schools and private property, and forced displacement aimed at demographic and sectarian change. Rami Abdul Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitor tracking Syria’s conflict, stated, “The evidence is ready, and the accusations are clear”. He highlighted that the massacres occurred mainly on 7 and 8 March in the coastal mountains. The lawsuit comes amid heightened tensions in Syria following the fall of Assad’s regime in December 2024. Al-Sharaa, formerly a leader of the rebel group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a coalition that once included al-Qaeda affiliates, was appointed interim president in January 2025. His government has faced criticism for failing to include Syria’s diverse religious and ethnic groups, particularly Alawites, who fear marginalisation under the Sunni-majority leadership. Abdul Rahman added that similar lawsuits are being prepared by Alawite communities in Germany, Belgium and Scandinavian countries, suggesting a broader push for accountability. “This case sends a clear message that we will not accept inaction,” he said, referring to the transitional government’s justice committee, which has made no progress a month after its formation. The case’s acceptance by the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office marks a significant step, though legal proceedings may take years. France has previously prosecuted Syrian war criminals under universal jurisdiction, which allows courts to try international crimes regardless of where they occurred. The outcome could influence Syria’s fragile transition and its relations with Western nations.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/france-accepts-lawsuit-against-syrian-interim-leader-for-alleged-mass-killings/

Medyanews - April 12, 2025
<<Öcalan urges democratic organisation, warns of security risks for Syrian Kurds
Ömer Öcalan, Abdullah Öcalan’s nephew and a DEM Party MP, shared insights from his recent visit to İmralı Island where the Kurdish leader has been imprisoned for 25 years. He highlighted that his uncle emphasised the importance of democratic organisation and public support for a successful peace process in Turkey while urging both the DEM Party and Syrian Kurds to stay vigilant against potential security threats. Following his family visit to imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party MP Ömer Öcalan spoke to Yeni Yaşam newspaper, stressing that Öcalan remains hopeful about a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue in Turkey. However, he cautioned that the Turkish state must be approached warily, as previous peace efforts, like those in 1993, were derailed by violent disruptions, including the suspicious death of then-President Turgut Özal. Addressing Kurdish concerns about the current peace process, Abdullah Öcalan validated the public’s security doubts, noting they were justified. He referenced the 1993 peace attempt, which ended abruptly with Özal’s death, widely regarded as suspicious by many, including his family. Reports from 2012, when Özal’s body was exhumed, suggested high levels of poison. Öcalan emphasised, “Those who do this to their own man [Özal] will not hesitate to do worse to you. You are not living in a Swiss democracy, and the DEM Party must recognise this reality,” urging caution and preparedness. Ömer Öcalan shared that he conveyed concerns from Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members, broadcast on television, about the lack of security guarantees for a proposed congress to discuss PKK dissolution and disarmament. Abdullah Öcalan agreed, stating that no safety assurances currently exist for such a gathering and that everyone must ensure their own security in the Middle East’s volatile context. Abdullah Öcalan strongly condemned the recent massacres of Alawites in Syria’s coastal regions, describing them as brutal acts akin to the Islamic State (ISIS) methods. He warned Syrian Kurds to take precautions, saying they could face “far worse—ten times the violence inflicted on the Alawites”. He advised strengthening diplomatic ties to secure their safety and suggested that Kurds, Alawites and Druze coordinate systems to protect themselves.
During the meeting, Abdullah Öcalan underscored the importance of democratic politics, Ömer Öcalan said. Commenting on the recent arrest of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Öcalan stated that building a democratic Turkish Republic would benefit all, including İmamoğlu’s Republican People’s Party (CHP), by fostering a stronger democratic foundation. Ömer Öcalan also discussed the media coverage of Abdullah Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” on 27 February, informing him that it was widely broadcast by international and Kurdish media, with live screenings across Kurdistan. Abdullah Öcalan expressed satisfaction and sent greetings to Kurdish media outlets, particularly Stêrk TV and Medya Haber, wishing them success. Öcalan invited experienced journalists, including Hasan Cemal and Cengiz Çandar, to visit İmralı Island. Ömer Öcalan stressed that his uncle should have access to people from all societal segments and that conditions at İmralı must improve to enable freer communication and work.
Ömer Öcalan asked about the media Abdullah Öcalan could access in prison. He replied that he watches Turkish channels like Halk TV, Tele 1 and NOW, and reads Democratic Modernity magazine and select issues of Jineolojî magazine.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/ocalan-urges-democratic-organisation-warns-of-security-risks-for-syrian-kurds/

Medyanews - April 12, 2025
<<US rejects Syria’s interim government as illegitimate
The US has announced it does not recognise Syria’s interim government led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, citing concerns over terrorism and human rights. It urges accountability and regional stability while engaging cautiously until conditions are met. The United States has declared it does not recognise Syria’s interim government led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) or its figurehead, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. On Thursday, US Ambassador Dorothy Shea stated at a UN Security Council briefing that HTS, a group designated as a terrorist organisation by the US, would not be acknowledged as Syria’s legitimate authority. Diplomatic ties remain frozen, and US visas will not be issued to Syrian officials. The decision follows heightened regional tensions, particularly after atrocities in western Syria last month, which the US attributes partly to terrorist groups, including both Syrian and foreign fighters. Shea highlighted concerns about Syria becoming a hub for terrorism, citing ongoing threats from the Islamic State (ISIS), al-Qaeda and Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah. She welcomed a Syrian interim official’s letter on 3 March, pledging that Syria would not harbour terrorists or destabilise the region, but stressed that the US would assess the interim government based on actions, not promises. HTS, formed in 2017 from factions including the al-Nusra Front, controls parts of northwest Syria and leads the interim administration following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024. The US, alongside Israel, fears HTS’s influence could allow Syria to be used as a base for attacks against regional states. Shea affirmed Israel’s right to self-defence against terrorist groups operating near its borders. The US has called for accountability for human rights abuses, including recent crimes against Alawites in western Syria, and urged the interim government to protect minorities and advance justice. Shea also noted positive statements from Israel and Turkey, both wary of conflict in Syria, and pressed the UN Security Council to combat terrorism and curb external actors arming proxy groups. Syria’s status at the United Nations will remain under the “unrecognised governments” category, reflecting the US position that HTS lacks international legitimacy. The US will continue to engage with the interim authorities while withholding formal recognition until conditions are met.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/us-rejects-syrias-interim-government-as-illegitimate/

Medyanews - April 12, 2025
<<Syria’s transitional leader attends Turkey forum as Alawite protests erupt nationwide
Syria’s transitional leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (al-Jolani) meets Turkey’s President Erdoğan at a diplomacy forum, sparking nationwide protests from Alawite communities over massacres by his group in Syria. Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s transitional government, attended the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey on Friday, his first major international outing since Bashar al-Assad’s regime collapsed in December 2024. Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, leads Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group with jihadist origins now governing Syria’s interim administration. The forum, organised by Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, drew over 4,000 participants from more than 140 countries to discuss global issues under the theme “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World”. Al-Sharaa met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to address Turkey-Syria relations and regional stability. Erdoğan welcomed efforts “to prevent chaos” in Syria and committed to advocating for the lifting of international sanctions to support its recovery. Al-Sharaa’s visit triggered widespread protests across Turkey, particularly among Alawites, a religious minority. In Muğla, the Bodrum Alawite Bektashi Culture Association filed a criminal complaint against al-Sharaa, accusing HTS of massacres against Alawites in Syria. “We don’t want a bloodstained killer in our country,” said association president Gamze Ardağ outside Bodrum’s courthouse. In Adana, Alawite groups and women’s organisations, including Mor Dayanışma (Purple Solidarity, a women’s rights collective), condemned al-Sharaa’s invitation. Pelin Çiçek, speaking for Mor Dayanışma, highlighted HTS’s alleged abuses, stating, “Women are being killed in Syria, and we won’t stay silent.” Protesters announced plans for a women’s solidarity event in Hatay’s Samandağ on 24 April to support Syrian women. Antalya saw Alawite institutions rally outside the Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Association (PSAKD), a prominent Alawite organisation, demanding al-Sharaa face international courts. “His arrival is an attack on everyone defending peace and equality here,” said PSAKD manager Abdurrahman Karadağ, linking Syria’s alleged Alawite killings to past massacres in Turkey, such as Sivas and Maraş. In Mersin, the Tarsus Labour and Democracy Platform labelled al-Sharaa a “war criminal”. Platform spokesperson Mahmut Sarıca accused Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of enabling HTS, stating, “This collaboration makes them complicit in Syria’s genocide”. İstanbul’s Alawite groups gathered in Kadıköy, joined by the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party and other leftist factions. “Syria’s Alawite genocide must end,” read their banners, as Alawite Bektashi Federation vice-president İbrahim Karakaya called for accountability. Erdoğan, speaking at the forum, urged Syria’s territorial integrity and cautioned against new conflicts, citing the “8 December revolution” that toppled Assad. He tied Syria’s stability to regional concerns, criticising Israel’s actions in Gaza and noting dialogues with leaders like US President Donald Trump. Turkey’s stance to support Syria’s al-Sharaa-led transitional government stems from both ideological leanings and practical aims, driven by its 911-kilometre border with Syria. Erdoğan’s government has long supported Sunni rebel groups like al-Sharaa’s HTS, which help Turkey limit Kurdish power and strengthen its regional influence. This approach has heightened tensions with Turkey’s Alawites and Syria’s minorities—Alawites, Druzes, Kurds and Christians—who fear exclusion under HTS’s transitional leadership. Since 2011, Turkey has backed Syrian opposition groups, starting with the Free Syrian Army (FSA). By 2017, Turkey focused on HTS in Idlib, where it took on a peacekeeping role under the 2017–2020 Astana agreements with Russia and Iran. Turkey supplied HTS with weapons and safe routes, claiming it was guiding the group to block Assad’s advance. Turkey’s wider Syria strategy has always drawn questions for overlooking jihadist groups to weaken Kurdish forces, particularly the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Reports from 2014–2015 cited evidence of Turkey allowing Islamic State (ISIS) members to cross its border to fight Kurds in Ayn el-Arab (Kobani), though Turkey denied direct support. US officials later criticised Turkey’s delayed action against ISIS, suggesting tactical alignment against shared enemies like secular Kurds in northeast Syria. Alawites, about 10–15% of Turkey’s population and long sidelined, see al-Sharaa’s visit as part of the AKP’s Sunni-focused policies. Protests in İstanbul and Antalya tied Syria’s sectarian abuses to Turkey’s own Alawite struggles, like the 1993 Sivas Massacre that killed 35 Alevis. “The hatred killing in Syria mirrors Sivas,” said Abdurrahman Karadağ, voicing widespread unease about sectarian favouritism.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/syrias-transitional-leader-attends-turkey-forum-as-alawite-protests-erupt-nationwide/

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