MEZOPOTAMIA KURDISTAN DAILY INDEPENDENT NEWSSERVICE
Mezopotamian Development Society (Registered) GERMANY – FRANKFURT
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MESOP TODAYS EDITORIAL BY CHARLES LISTER – U.S. Must Tell Kurds to Stop Attacking Syrian Rebels
NEW YORK TIMES – 24 Feb 2016 – Charles Lister is a resident fellow at the Middle East Institute and a senior consultant to the Shaikh Group’s Syria Track II Initiative. He is the author of “The Syrian Jihad: Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State and the Evolution of an Insurgency,” and is on Twitter. – UPDATED FEBRUARY 24, 2016, 3:20 AM
In the past week, the Syrian crisis has spiraled out of control, largely due to fundamental U.S. misjudgments over the strategic calculations and ambitions of Russia, Turkey, the Syrian opposition and the main Kurdish force in Syria, the Y.P.G. Otherwise, Russia will build on its relationship with Kurdish forces, undermining the United States and creating another intractable conflict. Read all http://www.mesop.de/?p=71577
MESOP TODAYS MOST RELEVANT TWEETS & SHORT CUTS
It’s been 2yrs since UNSC Res. 2139 banned barrel bombs. 19,974 have been dropped since. #Syria @TheSyriaCmpgn
Charles Lister @Charles_Lister 3h3 hours ago
Hugely important context for upcoming #Syria ceasefire, courtesy of former opposition president @hadialbahra –#Turkey’s going to blow a gasket… Seems U.S. has provided Javelin ATGMs to the YPG in #Syria.
MiddleEast Institute @MiddleEastInst Feb 22
MEI Experts on Situation in Northern #Syria http://bit.ly/20Qs2L4 @rmslim @gonultol @Charles_Lister @paul_salem
Charles Lister @Charles_Lister 23h23 hours ago
Remember: – #Russia is accused of war crimes in #Syria – 2 designated terrorist groups work with #Syria‘s Army – SAA is accused of CW use
Charles Lister @Charles_Lister 23h23 hours ago
Imagine how pro-#Assad people would complain about interlinked forces if West was carrying out airstrikes vs. #Hezbollah & Kataib Hezbollah.
Charles Lister @Charles_Lister 24h24 hours ago
#Assad refuses to play along: #Damascus announces parliamentary elections to be held on 13 April (in 7 weeks). #Syria #Russia
Here’s the full text of the joint US-#Russia statement on “Cessation of Hostilities in #Syria” – www.mesop.de
MESOP TODAYS ANALYSIS -Resurgence of the Kurdish Conflict in Turkey: How Kurds View It / Rethink Institute | February 2016
The ongoing conflict in Syria and the Kurdish struggle in the northern part of the country have triggered increased participation of Kurdish youth in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The Turkish government, initially, did not perceive this as a domestic threat because of the ongoing peace process. However, with the latest resurgence of conflict in southeast Turkey, this has become a serious concern for the Turkish government.
Kurds in Rojova (northern Syria) plan to declare an autonomous region with the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which is guided by the PKK. Read all http://www.mesop.de/?p=71551
MESOP TODYS ANALYSIS (II) : What Syrians Think of A “Sectarian” Conflict
- REPORT BY THE DAY AFTER ASSOCIATION –
The Day After Association, a Syrian-led organization for civil society and democratic transition, pursued this question in a field survey of 2498 respondents — 1424 men and 1074 women — with findings published on Monday.
While recognizing the extent of sectarianism in the five-year conflict, more than 65% of respondents called for an approach through a State based on citizenship and equality. They identified the institutions primarily responsible for sectarian discrimination as the Syrian military (60%), the intelligence services (55.3%), and Government departments (52.8%). The least blame was attached to the Free Syrian Army (14%).Almost 68% of respondents said one or more sects have benefited from political authority. Nearly all referred to the Alawites and Shiites as the benificiaries. More than 70% of respondents said they had been subjected to sectarian discrimination, either personally or through a family member. Read all http://www.mesop.de/?p=71571
WEST KURDISTAN (SYRIA)
MESOP : PKK/PYD COORDINATED BY PUTIN & ASSAD – Hammond: ‘Disturbing evidence’ that Kurds are coordinating with Syrian regime and Russia
Foreign Secretary says UK “uneasy” about Kurdish role in Syria, as YPG forces take advantage of northern offensive to take territory from US-backed rebels. – By Louisa Loveluck7:52PM GMT 23 Feb 2016 – THE INDEPENDENT UK
Britain has seen “disturbing evidence” that Kurdish forces are coordinating with the Syrian regime and the Russian air force, the Foreign Secretary has said. Read all http://www.mesop.de/?p=71555
MESOP : PUTIN AHEAD IN SYRIA ! – CEASEFIRE AND ELECTIONS IN SYRIA: PUTIN STILL A STEP AHEAD
PolicyWatch 2569 – February 23, 2016 – By Fabrice Balanche – Fabrice Balanche, an associate professor and research director at the University of Lyon 2, is a visiting fellow at The Washington Institute.
If Moscow and Damascus have their way, the latest ceasefire will further divide the rebels, isolate Turkey, and facilitate their ongoing military and political strategy for preserving Assad’s rule. Read all http://www.mesop.de/?p=71561
MESOP Syria Daily: Assad Accepts Cessation of Hostilities But Questions Remain
24 Feb 2016 – By Scott Lucas – eaworldview – After initial hesitation, the Assad regime has accepted the US-Russian plan for a cessation of hostilities to begin on Saturday across Syria.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday afternoon that the halt to fighting would be respected “on the basis of continuing the military efforts for combating terrorism against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra, and other Al Qaeda-linked terrorist organizations”. The opposition-rebel bloc had “provisionally” accepted the cessation on Monday, but Damascus was silent, prompting signals by its Russian ally that it should comply.However, the regime’s formula of “other terrorist organizations”, first used by Moscow, leaves open the possibility of attacks on some rebel factions. Russia has called for leading groups Ahrar al-Sham and Jaish al-Islam to be labelled as “terrorist”. Read all http://www.mesop.de/?p=71559
MESOP ANALYSIS: Syria ceasefire significant, but based on ‘wishful thinking’
MIDDLE EAST EYE – 23 Feb 2016 – Experts question whether the ceasefire will lead to a lasting peace – and how the short-term peace will even be implemented
Even though the fragile ceasefire announced by Russia and United States on Monday could prove to be significant, it faces an uphill battle to bring a lasting peace, experts told Middle East Eye.“Although we can’t really tell how long the agreement will hold or whether it might pave the way to a permanent solution, it is a significant development in that two of the most important actors in Syria have agreed to ending hostilities,” A. Kadir Yildirim, a research scholar at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, told Middle East Eye. “It could present the two sides with a much-needed opening. More importantly, the end of hostilities is likely to allow for humanitarian aid to go through and minimise further loss of life.”In the short-term, the ceasefire could yield further positive results on the ground. Read all http://www.mesop.de/?p=71557
MESOP : EATING CATS & DOGS UNTER PUTIN’S BOMBS
A DOCTOR’S DISPATCH FROM MADAYA: ‘ONE DESPERATE MAN FED HIS FAMILY CAT MEAT’
BY KHALED MOHAMMED ON 2/24/16 – REUTERS/OMAR SANADIKI
Before the first week of January the world had not heard of Madaya, a town nestled in the mountains between Syria and Lebanon, but now the town has become synonymous with siege in the 21st century. One of it’s inhabitants Doctor Khaled Mohammed has witnessed firsthand the effects that starvation can have on a community. Read all http://www.mesop.de/?p=71565
MESOP INSIGHT ROJAVA / KURDISTAN – SYRIA
Is the PYD-led self-administration confiscating property in Al-Hasakah?
AMMAN: The Democratic Union Party (PYD)-led self-administration has taken private properties belonging to departed residents in recent weeks, Kurdish activists, residents and a police officer from Qamishli in northern Al-Hasakah province tell Syria Direct, while one administration official dismisses the claims as rumors. Read all http://www.mesop.de/?p=71569
EAST KURDISTAN (IRAN)
MESOP NEWS : Amnesty’s annual report slams Iran for continued human rights violations
By Arina Moradi – RUDAW – ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Amnesty International has harshly criticized Iran in its 2016 report for its continued human rights violations, including unfair trial, imprisoning journalists, torture and ill-treatment of detainees and high rate of capital punishment.
The report, released on Wednesday says, “The authorities carried out cruel punishments, including blinding, amputation and floggings. Courts imposed death sentences for a range of crimes; many prisoners, including at least four juvenile offenders, were executed.” According to the report, Tehran has continued to suppress freedom of expression and restrict association and assembly. “They blocked Facebook, Twitter and other social media websites, closed and suspended media outlets.” Read all http://www.mesop.de/?p=71573
NORTH KURDISTAN (TURKEY)
MESOP : THE ANKARA BOMBERS DNA ! – DNA Report Suggests Ankara Bomber Was Turkish: Security Official
By Orhan Coskun – 2016-02-24 02:12 GMT – (Reuters) — A DNA report from a suicide bombing that killed 29 people in the Turkish capital Ankara last week suggests the main perpetrator was Turkish-born, not Syrian as initially stated by the government, a senior Turkish security official said on Tuesday. Read all evidence : http://www.mesop.de/?p=71567
SOUTH KURDISTAN (IRAQ)
MESOP : PKK DESTROYS KURDISH PEOPLES PROPERTY / VIA PROXY FRANCHISING
Iraqi Kurdistan oil flows shut as pipeline sabotaged in Turkey, PKK addresses the attacks
Nrttv.com & REUTERS – 24 Feb 2016 – ISTANBUL,— Kurdistan’s oil exports to world markets are set to be suspended for a second week running, a shipping source said, a move that will deprive Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of its main revenue stream as the security situation in southeast Turkey worsens.The pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan from fields in Iraq’s north, which carries around 600,000 barrels per day of crude, has been halted since Feb. 17 and was unlikely to resume pumping until Feb. 29, the source said. Read all http://www.mesop.de/?p=71563
THE GERMAN KURDISH CHAPTER
MESOP : VON DER LEGION D’ETRANGER ZUR PKK / DEUTSCHER IN KURDISTAN GETÖTET
„Nun ist es offiziell, dass ein weiterer deutscher Internationalist, gestern in Al Shadadi in der Provinz Heseke gefallen ist. Sein Klarname ist Günther Helsten, sein Kampfname Rüstem Cudi.Günther war 55 Jahre alt, hat 30 Jahre bei der Bundeswehr und der Fremdenlegion gekämpft. In dem Film berichtet er, dass er Vater eines Sohnes ist.“ Er wird einen Platz in den Herzen der Freiheitsliebenden einnehmen.“ (ISKU) Volltext http://www.mesop.de/?p=71575
MESOP : HISTORY REPEATS ! – Wagenkecht/Dehm die erste Stalin Büste in Pankow ?
Russland Rückkehr eines Despoten
Der sowjetische Diktator Josef Stalin wird in Russland immer noch von manchen Menschen geschätzt. Vor einem Museum in Pskow wurde nun eine Büste von ihm errichtet. Mehr 9 http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/europa/bueste-von-diktator-josef-stalin-in-russland-aufgestellt-14086377.html