peace initiatives
PKK resolves to dissolve at 12th Congress
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) held its 12th Congress between May 5 and 7, where delegates voted to dissolve the group's organizational structure and end the armed struggle against the Turkish state that it has waged since 1984. The congress was convened in response to the "Call for Peace and a Democratic Society" issued in February by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan ("Apo"), who has been imprisoned in Turkey since 1999. The statement called for his followers to lay down arms and pursue a civil struggle for Kurdish rights. The 232 delegates at the 12th Congress held a collective oath-taking ceremony in which they pledged to "intensify the struggle for the freedom of the Kurdish people," and to "fight against the male-dominated civilization and the statist system" and for "a democratic society based on the Apoist line."
Israeli cabinet approves 'conquest' of Gaza
The Israeli government on May 5 unveiled a new military plan for the Gaza Strip, an operation forebodingly dubbed "Gideon's Chariots" (Merkavot Gideon) after an Old Testament conqueror. Approved unanimously by the security cabinet, the plan calls for the "conquering of Gaza" and retaining the territory indefinitely, an official said. The plan also includes concentrating the Palestinian civilian population in a "sterile area" in the south of the Strip. The official said Israel will give Hamas until the end of US President Donald Trump's trip to the Middle East, which is 10 days from now, to agree to a hostage deal. Otherwise, "Operation Gideon's Chariots will begin with great force and will not end until all its objectives are achieved." The military is already calling up tens of thousands of reservists in preparation for the new operation. (TNA, ToI, TML, JNS, DW, BBC News)
Tatar Mejlis opposes betrayal of Crimea
The representative body of the Crimean Tatar people has vowed to oppose any international recognition of Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The Tatar Mejlis, now sitting in exile in Kyiv, said Apri 22 that any move to recognize Crimea as Russian territory would violate international law. Refat Chubarov, the body's chairman, asserted in a statement: "Crimea is the homeland of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people and an integral part of Ukraine. Accordingly, no one can decide the fate of Crimea under any circumstances, except for the Ukrainian state and the Crimean Tatar people."
Trump prepares arms-for-minerals deal with DRC
Former Blackwater CEO and and mercenary boss Erik Prince is to lead a team helping the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) secure and tax its extensive mineral wealth, news reports reveal. The deal, reached before the M23 rebels launched a major offensive in January, was just confirmed to Reuters by Congolese officials and diplomats. M23 has since January seized the eastern DRC's two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu, and is threatening to march on Kinshasa, the capital. The Prince-led initiative runs parallel to a broader "minerals-for-security" deal being negotiated between the DRC and the Trump White House. (Mining.com, TNH)
Israeli intervention threatens Syria transition: UN testimony
Israel's ongoing military actions in Syria undermine the Arab country's political transition, and the opportunity for Syria and Israel to form a new security agreement, UN Assistant Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Khaled Khiari said before the Security Council on April 10.
Internationalization of South Sudan conflict seen
Amnesty International expressed concern April 1 about the lack of political will in South Sudan to address ongoing violations of international human rights law amid escalating violence from both internal and cross-border actors. Reports indicate mounting attacks on civilians, political repression, and the increasing risk of a wider war.
Lebanon ceasefire —real or fiction?
The ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese political and militant group Hezbollah is on shaky ground following an Israeli air-strike on Beirut's southern suburbs March 28. It was the first strike on Lebanon's capital since a pause in hostilities came into effect on Nov. 27 last year. Israel—which has bombed southern Lebanon almost daily despite the ceasefire—said it was retaliating for a rocket attack into northern Israel. (TNH)
Trump launches air-strikes on Yemen, Iraq
President Donald Trump on March 15 ordered a series of air-strikes on Yemen's capital, Sanaa, promising to use "overwhelming lethal force" until the Houthi rebels cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor. Houthi authorities said 13 civilians were killed in the strikes. Yemen's Houthi rebels, who control the capital, have said they will resume attacks on ships in the Red Sea in response to Israel's renewed blockade on aid to Gaza. Following the January Hamas-Israel ceasefire, the Houthis had paused their campaign of attacks on shipping, which they depict as a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinians (although many targets are not linked to Israel). (AP, TNH)

Recent Updates
1 day 12 hours ago
3 days 21 hours ago
3 days 21 hours ago
4 days 30 min ago
4 days 4 hours ago
5 days 1 hour ago
5 days 1 hour ago
5 days 1 hour ago
5 days 1 hour ago
6 days 1 hour ago