Turkey, Iran to Target Kurds: Al Jazeera

Kurdish fighters were key in defeating the Islamic State in Syria. The ethnic group represents 10 percent of the population in Iran and Syria, and up to 20 percent in Turkey and Iraq, and it’s no secret that many prefer autonomy and even a country of their own. As the war in Syria winds down, Turkey’s interior minister announced a joint operation with Iran against Kurdish rebels, but offered no details. Iran and Turkey supported opposite sides in the Syrian War – the former supporting the Assad regime, the latter supporting moderate rebels. “Turkey has battled the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) for decades, while Iranian security forces have fought its affiliate, the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK),” reports Al Jazeera. “Turkey and many of its Western allies have listed the PKK as a ‘terrorist’ group.” Turkey also regards the US-backed Kurdish People’s Protection Units, or YPG, as terrorists. As the United States withdraws troops from Syria, the US secretary of state has urged Turkey to protect Kurdish fighters. Turkey talks about both pursuing military operations and establishing safe zones. The United States and Turkey NATO members, since 1949 and 1952, respectively. Allegiances have shifted over the decades due to Middle East complexities and numerous conflicts. – YaleGlobal