From
to

Iran executed at least 1,500 people in 2025, a 35-year record: rights group


Thursday, 1 January, 2026 , 13:08 AFP Iran executed at least 1,500 people last year, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights group said on Thursday, in what it called an "unprecedented" hike in the use of capital punishment.

Jailed Turkish Kurd leader calls on government to broker deal for Syrian Kurds


Wednesday, 30 December, 2026 , 09:59 AFP Jailed Turkish Kurd leader Abdullah Ocalan said Tuesday that it was "crucial" for Turkey's government to broker a peace deal between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Damascus government.

Jailed Turkish Kurd leader calls on government to broker deal for Syrian Kurds


Wednesday, 30 December, 2026 , 08:49 AFP Jailed Turkish Kurd leader Abdullah Ocalan said in a message published Tuesday that it was "crucial" for the Turkish government to broker a peace deal between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Damascus government.

Jailed Turkish Kurd leader Ocalan calls on government to broker deal between Syrian Kurds and Damascus govt: mediator


Wednesday, 30 December, 2026 , 08:28 AFP

Iraq parliament elects new speaker


Tuesday, 29 December, 2026 , 16:40 AFP Iraq's new parliament elected a senior figure from the Sunni Taqadom party as its speaker Monday, the first session since November elections that consolidated the main parties' grip on power.

Syria Kurds chief says 'all efforts' being made to salvage deal with Damascus


Thursday, 25 December, 2025 , 19:51 AFP Syrian Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi said Thursday that "all efforts" were being made to prevent the collapse of talks on an agreement with Damascus to integrate his forces into the central government.

'We hold onto one another and keep fighting,' says wife of jailed Istanbul mayor


Thursday, 25 December, 2025 , 03:37 AFP Turkish democracy has taken a heavy beating since the jailing of Istanbul's popular opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, his wife told AFP, saying it has been painful for his family but that the ordeal has made them stronger.

Deadly clashes in Aleppo as Turkey urges Kurds not to be obstacle to Syria's stability


Monday, 22 December, 2025 , 20:52 AFP The Syrian government and Kurdish-led forces on Monday ordered their fighters to cease fire following deadly clashes that came as Turkey's top diplomat urged the Kurds to integrate into the Syrian army.

Syrian govt, Kurdish forces order their troops to halt deadly clashes


Monday, 22 December, 2025 , 20:28 AFP Syria's defence ministry and Kurdish-led forces ordered their troops to cease fire on Monday after clashes between the two sides in the northern city of Aleppo killed at least three people.

Syrian govt, Kurdish forces order their troops to halt deadly clashes


Monday, 22 December, 2025 , 20:03 AFP