Medya News Audio Articles

From Aleppo to Kobani (Kobanê) and Qamishli (Qamişlo), journalist Fréderike Geerdink offers a rare on-the-ground account of Kurdish resistance, grassroots resilience, and political negotiation in North and East Syria (Rojava) - an unfiltered look at the stakes and struggles defining the region today.

Fréderike Geerdink marks her 200th opinion piece for Medya News, offering a sharp analysis of the Kurdish Freedom Movement and the ongoing reconciliation process in Turkey. As an expert on Kurdish struggles, Geerdink dissects the evolving political landscape and the growing demand for peace.

Despite Abdullah Öcalan’s historic call for peace, Turkey remains deeply resistant to change. Fréderike Geerdink argues that while Kurds are ready for a peaceful resolution, Turkish society and politics remain frozen, refusing to move even an inch. The media's treatment of Öcalan’s message, including the silencing of the Kurdish language, exposes deep-seated racism and a continued reluctance to engage in genuine dialogue. With the government shaping the public narrative to suit its agenda, the question remains: can Turkey take real steps toward peace, or is this yet another wasted opportunity?

There have been great expaectations for Abdullah Öcalan’s long-awaited call for a democratic path forward, but the announcement has been postponed. Independent journalist Fréderike Geerdink explores the reasons behind the delay, linking it to state repression, political manoeuvres and ongoing consultations with Kurdish leaders. Despite setbacks - including the Turkish state’s latest replacement of an elected mayor with a trustee appointment in Van - Geerdink argues that Öcalan’s call is inevitable, as peace remains the only viable future.

In an interview, PYD's Salih Muslim discusses Syria's crisis, calling for a flexible federal system, cessation of Turkish attacks on Kurdish areas, and Kurdish unity. He stresses the importance of inclusive talks and highlights Abdullah Öcalan's potential role in peace efforts.

As we wait for the anticipated peace message from Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, Turkey is attacking Kurdish freedoms both through violence and through wile. The Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal has been examining Turkey’s past violence in Rojava as war crimes and crimes against humanity. These crimes persist, and meanwhile, Turkey is attempting to negotiate a new role for itself in Syria, and to ensure the end of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration.

A Medya News X-space on Thursday 30 January heard contributions from the prosecution team of next month’s Rojava Peoples' Tribunal, taking place at Vrije University in Brussels from 5-6 February.

Journalist Fréderike Geerdink, known for her extensive reporting on Kurdish issues and the complexities of the region, has compiled a terminology list to clarify key concepts and actors in the Kurdish struggle and broader Middle Eastern conflicts. This list provides essential definitions and context for understanding the political, social, and military dynamics shaping the region.

In a compelling episode of Political Dialogue with Erem Kansoy, Danish-based political scientist Jino Victoria Doabi sheds light on Turkey’s aggression towards Rojava and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). She highlights the failure of international powers to act decisively, calls for the establishment of a no-fly zone, and discusses the transformative potential of Rojava's democratic experiment for the broader Middle East. Doabi also highlights the need for Kurdish unity and solidarity among oppressed groups to counter growing regional threats. This podcast provides an urgent appeal for action to protect Rojava and its unique democratic vision.

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is under existential attack from Turkey and their mercenaries. This has been a week of broken ceasefire agreements and of difficult negotiations. The Administration has put forward proposals and compromises, but is ready for total resistance, while Erdoğan has restated his neo-Ottoman ambitions. The United States is in the middle, but political solutions are not helped by the lack of public awareness and so of public pressure.

Debbie Bookchin, Salih Muslim and Jeremy Corbyn took part in an online panel on Wednesday 18 December. The speakers discussed the escalation of violence against the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), and the stance of political actors and forces operating in the post-Assad Syria. The panel analysed the relationship between Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and AANES, as well as self-defense, the re-emergence of ISIS, the Rojava revolution and the coexistence of peoples.

Sinam Mohamad, US Representative of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), analyses the humanitarian situation amid fighting in Aleppo (Heleb) and Shabha (Şehba), with thousands, many already displaced Kurds, forced to flee. She stresses the need for a dialogue for peace involing all parties in Syria, including representatives of the region's minorities, and urges international support for Kurdish self-defence forces. 

Turkey has continued their attack on democracy by ousting the DEM Party Mayor of Tunceli (Dersim) and the CHP Mayor of nearby Ovacık (Pulur), provoking mass resistance and employing heavy policing. A BBC documentary has highlighted Turkey’s weaponising of water against the people of North and East Syria. And Öcalan has again been refused access to his lawyers. Yet discussion about a resolution to the Kurdish Question refuses to die down.

Erdoğan’s chief advisor has declared that what is happening is not a “solution process”, but a "state initiative towards a terror-free Turkey". So far, this “state initiative” doesn’t look very different from the previous approach of eliminating the PKK through state violence, and the crushing of Kurdish politics. Elected mayors are being removed, and Erdoğan continues to talk about, effectively, occupying the north of Syria and Iraq. Meanwhile, the election of Trump adds a new layer of uncertainty.

Is the Turkish government genuinely open to negotiations with the Kurds? Or was Öcalan's fleeting prison visit just a war tactic? Tune in to listen to our panel of experts from various freedom movements around the world, to discuss the real prospects for peace. Sinn Fein MP Dáire Hughes, joining our panel of freedom fighters from various conflicts, points to the success of Northern Ireland's Good Friday Agreement, urging hope that the Kurdish issue can be resolved through inclusive dialogue and international solidarity. Fazela Mohamed, a former combatant with the African National Congress (ANC) shares insights from the the long struggle to end apartheid in South Africa during our expert panel on the prospect for renewed peace talks between Turkey and the PKK.Tanja Nijmeijer shares first-hand experience of peace negotiations between Colombia and communist guerilla FARC-EP. Listen to our panel as the share insights into the long road to peace, and challenges ahead to open dialogue between Turkey and the PKK. EH Bildu MP Igor Zulaika joins our panel from the Basque Country, highlighting the need for continued communication and mutual understanding between a party’s leadership and its popular base. What is in store for Kurdish parties and the road to peace?

Turkey’s political drama continues with the arrest of the Mayor of Esenyurt and his replacement by a government trustee - the first time these tactics have been used against the mainstream opposition CHP. The rationale for recent government actions is still unclear, but the movement for a solution to the Kurdish Question has taken on a certain momentum of its own; and the CHP’s response has been generally encouraging. Meanwhile Turkish bombardment has ravaged North and East Syria, Zionists are trying to woo Kurds on social media, and Erdoğan’s hypocrisy over Palestine has been further exposed.

After a momentous and rollercoaster week, today’s review sets out the key events – talks about a possible new peace process; the PKK attack on an Ankara arms producer; Turkish bombardment of North and East Syria; and the long-desired visit to Abdullah Öcalan after his 43 months of total isolation. It looks at comments by some of the key players, including the PKK, and includes background observations that can help make sense of it all. 

While all eyes have been on Gaza and Beirut, tensions in Syria have become increasingly violent, as well as complicated by the variety of different countries all jostling for position and ready to take advantage of any opening that they can use to increase their own power and influence. This week’s review also looks at the run-up to tomorrow’s important election in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, hopes for peace amidst continued oppression in Turkey, and news from Iran’s prisons. 

Rumours of peace appear to be belied by Turkey’s continued aggression towards the Kurds both inside and outside their borders. Meanwhile, actions have been carried out across the world calling Öcalan’s freedom; and an acrimonious election campaign may be the first step towards a new uncertain chapter for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Fréderike Geerdink discusses the recent rescue of a young Yazidi woman from ISIS captivity in Gaza and reflects on the divisive reactions to the story within the Kurdish community. She warns against blaming Palestinians collectively for the girl's ordeal and urges Kurds not to fall into the trap of divisions that serve the interests of oppressive states such as Israel and Turkey.

In their principled support of Julian Assange, the Council of Europe have acted according to their founding purpose. At the same time, they have proved incapable of meeting the challenges of the spreading war, or even of disciplining Council members who flout their own rules. The week’s review looks at the situation of Kurdish politics in a fast-changing Middle East, through the prism of the Council.

Kurdish activist Elif Genç discusses the shared history of Kurdish and Palestinian solidarity, and how state leaders like Erdoğan and Netanyahu have pitted the two communities against each other.

Fréderike Geerdink’s article examines the Kurdish political reactions to the assassination of Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah and the broader geopolitical implications. She highlights the PKK's unique analysis, suggesting the murder could fuel regional conflicts and advance Turkey’s strategic ambitions.

As the world lurches towards further destruction, no one should dispute the validity of Erdoğan’s UN criticism of Western hypocrisy, but he can match the West with a hypocrisy of his own. This week’s Turkish authoritarianism focussed on the suppression of Kurdish culture – while a letter from a political prisoner described the reality of solitary confinement in Turkey’s prisons.

Musa Anter summed it up brilliantly when he said: “When my mother tongue is shaking the foundations of your state, it probably means that you built your state on my land.” He shook the foundations of the state by thinking this radically different. He shook the foundations so profoundly, that he was not only murdered but also denied a proper burial. 

Eric Hobsbawm’s “Age of Empire” covers the four decades that led up to the first world war. There are frightening parallels between that period and the imperial rivalry of the world today. This politics has no time for minority peoples unless they can be used as pawns in the bigger game, and Kurds find themselves again caught up in other people’s wars. Kurds are also facing a new hostility in Europe, where racism and deference to Turkey distort asylum decisions.

While experts debate the significance of Iraq’s recent memorandum with Turkey, Iran’s newly elected president has visited Baghdad, where he has signed 15 co-operation agreements with Iraq. Such agreements are rarely good news for Kurds, who suffer at the hands of both Turkey and Iran. Although Turkey would also like an agreement with Syria, Assad has again made it clear that this is not on the horizon so long as Turkey occupies parts of Syria. Meanwhile the Turkish news is dominated by the murder of 8-year-old Narin Güran and its possible political implications, and Iran prepares for the second anniversary of the death of Jina Amini. 

As human rights lawyers in Turkey proclaim, “There is no justice here”, this week’s review focuses on Turkish authoritarianism. It looks especially at its impact on political prisoners, but also at other abuses in the politicised justice system, and at the oppression of trade unionists and environmental activists

Kurds face attacks on all fronts, including targetd assassinations in Iraq and Syria, but the world seems indifferent. In Turkey, journalists and political prisoners face oppression as the government attempts to distract citizens from dire economic circumstances. In Syria, Russian and Turkish joint patrols have resumed, to be confronted by resistance from local residents. In Iraq, people debate the significance of the shooting down of a Turkish drone, to a background of corruption and arms smuggling.

Fréderike Geerdink criticises the media's lack of coverage on Turkey's expanding occupations in Kurdish regions of Iraq and Syria, where Turkification and forced demographic changes are occurring. She argues that this neglect enables political inaction and shields Turkey from accountability, urging a new journalistic approach to better highlight the struggles of oppressed peoples.

Forty years after the PKK took up the right of resistance, the Kurdish Freedom Movement has established an autonomous administration in northern Syria, and the PKK’s philosophy is inspiring people across the world; but the Turkish state continues their anti-Kurdish oppression, denying the Kurds a peaceful route to freedom. 

On the 40th anniversary of 15 August 1984, journalist Fréderike Geerdink reflects on the PKK's shift from seeking a Kurdish state to combating patriarchal nation-states, emphasising ideological evolution and guerrilla tactics to counter Turkey's advanced warfare while advocating for community and diversity.

This week’s review from Sarah Glynn focuses on two places where civilians are fleeing for their lives: the IDP camps in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where Yazidi genocide survivors are fearful of a new attack by their Sunni Muslim neighbours; and Deir ez-Zor in North and East Syria, where Syrian government forces and Iranian-backed militias are carrying out attacks, and where eleven civilians were killed by a Syrian Army bombardment on Thursday night. 

After a brief look at the new threats facing the Kurds following Israel’s assassinations in Beirut and Tehran, this week’s news review focuses on Turkey’s attempt to grind away Kurdish culture and identity and wear down Kurdish resistance – and at the even stronger determination to resist that this fosters. It also examines the report of the United Nations Committee Against Torture, which emphasises concerns about the treatment of Abdullah Ocalan and the other prisoners in İmralı. 

What is the Rules-Based International Order, and how does it relate to international law? How does it affect international responses to Turkish aggression in Syria and Iraq, and to Iran? What is the role of the United States?

In a recent podcast interview with Medya News, Jody Williams, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize winner. and chair of the Nobel Women's Initiative, speaks about the recent letter by 69 Nobel Peace Prize laureates to European and international human rights bodies expressing their “deep concern” about the conditions in which Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan is being held. 

Fréderike Geerdink reflects on the commemoration of the Suruç bombing, emphasising the way dreams and struggles for a better future continue to inspire resistance and hope, exemplified by the Suruç victims and the Rojava revolution.

What might a Trump presidency mean for North and East Syria; what are the prospects for the much talked about reconciliation between Erdoğan and Assad; what is the situation with Turkey’s invasion into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq? Plus, Turkey’s normalising of human rights violations, and their attempt to barter Öcalan’s human rights. 

Turkey is carrying out an invasion and “de facto annexation” in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and waging a low intensity war against the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. They also oppress Kurds within Turkey’s borders. So, how did destruction of Kurdish identity come to dominate Turkish politics?

Academic Amy Austin Holmes has published 'Statelet of Survivors', exploring the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). The book highlights regional minority collaborations against threats and urges the US to support AANES's democratic processes and postponed elections.

The Grey Wolves, founded in the 1960s, and the hand gesture that emerged in the early 1990s, could only become as influential as they did because there was a fertile soil in which the seed was planted. That fertile soil is Turkish fascism since the foundation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

Sarah Glynn examines the context of the attacks on Syrian refugees in Turkey and of the unrest in Turkish-occupied Syria, and catches up with new developments in Turkey’s ongoing invasion of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

As Turkey and Syria contemplate renewed diplomatic ties, the Kurdish perspective remains conspicuously absent from media coverage. Fréderike Geerdink explores why the Kurdish quest for liberation and autonomy is crucial to understanding the region's future, challenging readers to consider the broader implications of excluding Kurdish voices from peace negotiations.

Turkish tanks and soldiers are pouring into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Turkey and Syria have moved a step closer to a rapprochement based on a joint attack against the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, and Turkey continues to oppress Kurdish politicians. Meanwhile the Council of Europe fails in its fundamental purpose of protecting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. 

A relatively quiet week in Kurdish politics is still full of many ongoing problems, but it also allows us time to step back and look at the broader geopolitical context, and the new alliances that are forming with the decline of US hegemony and with the catalysts of war in Ukraine and genocide in Gaza.

Fréderike Geerdink reflects on understanding the Kurdish issue, recalling a villager's remark that the state killed them "because we are Kurds" after the Roboskî massacre. This sentiment is paralleled with Palestinian experiences of Israeli aggression. Understanding suppression requires viewing from the perspective of the oppressed.

This week, the news from Diyarbakır serves as an illustration of the wider Kurdish condition. Here we find threats facing Kurdish co-mayors, the anger of those no longer getting perks from the government trustee system, state impunity in the deeply flawed trial of three police officers for the murder of Human Rights lawyer Tahir Elçi, the whipping up of religious hatred - and also many organisations of resistance. Other news this week includes the latest protests against the imprisonment of the co-mayor of Hakkâri, and his replacement by a trustee, and the changing dynamics between the AKP, the CHP, and the MHP.