INSTITUT KURD E DE PARIS

Information and liaison bulletin N° 400 JULY 2018 The publication of this Bulletin enjoys a subsidy from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Culture This bulletin is issued in French and English

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www.fikp.org E-mail: bulletin@fikp.org Information and liaison bulletin Kurdish Institute of Paris Bulletin N° 400 July 2018

• TURKEY: END OF EMERGENCY STATE OR... END OF RULE OF LAW?

• ROJAVA: UNO ACCUSES TURKEY OF MASSIVE VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRÎN

• IRAQ: POST-ELECTION NEGOTIATIONS WITHOUT ENDING, VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTH; KURDISTAN IS PREPARING FOR ITS ELECTIONS…

• IRAN: INCREASING MILITARY TENSIONS BETWEEN THE KURDISH PARTIES AND STATE REPRESSION FORCES

TURKEY: END OF EMERGENCY STATE OR... END OF RULE OF LAW? fter the June 24 presi - “cock a snook” to the West cere - The previous day, Erdoğan had dential and parliamen - mony: among the 21 heads of State clearly indicated the continuity of tary elections, in which present were leaders as popular his political line by a decree-law A Erdoğan was re-elected with Western capitals as the sacking 18,632 new officials: 9,000 in the first round, the Sudanese President Omar al- policemen and 6,000 soldiers thus newly elected deputies were Bashir, Venezuelan President lost employment and rights to sworn in on the 7th. The Ankara Nicolas Maduro, Russian Prime retirement and social security, and parliament, “inflated” to 600 seats Minister Dimitri Medvedev and 12 associations, 3 newspapers and (from 550 previously), now the Hungarian Victor Orban... one TV channel were banned includes 295 AKP M.P.s, 49 MHP With this ceremony, Turkey enters (RFI). (far-right party allied with AKP), into the system wanted by 146 CHP (Kemalists), 43 İyi Erdoğan (and obtained by massive On the evening of the 18th, the (“Good party”, split from the fraud during the constitutional state of emergency established MHP, refusing the alliance with referendum of April 2017): it is after the coup attempt of July 14, Erdoğan), and 67 HDP (left and now a country without a Prime 2016, already renewed seven “pro-Kurdish”). Thus Erdoğan Minister, and with a President at times, was finally lifted. But the will need the support of the MHP the same time Head of State, Chief content of the bill prepared to to govern, which worries the Executive, Chief of Armies and replace it makes many wonder if Kurds. On the 9th, Erdoğan was in Leader of the ruling party, there to this so-called end of the state of turn sworn in his huge palace in a stay until at least 2023... emergency is not rather... the end • 2 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 400 • July 2018 of the rule of law. Akif Hamzacebi, Several reports published this Manisa candidate to the elections, vice president of the CHP parlia - month accuse Turkey of human Veysi Durgut, and Ramazan mentary group, declared: “With rights violations. The Diyarbakir Çağırga, father of a girl of 10 this bill, they are trying to make section of the Turkish Human years, Cemile, killed on September the state of emergency perma - Rights Association (İHD) detailed 4, 2015 by the security forces dur - nent”. Indeed, many provisions of in its latest biannual report, pub - ing the siege of Cizre, and whose the state of emergency are remain - lished on the 27th, the abuses com - refusal by the Authorities to allow ing in force: provincial governors mitted by the security forces in the her burial under curfew had still may restrict traffic in certain country's Kurdish provinces, forced the family to keep the body areas as they see fit, prohibit meet - including illegal detention and tor - in a refrigerator for days. ings and gatherings, the police can ture perpetrated during military access the telephone and bank operations. According to this On the 16th, the head of the statements of suspects or dis - report, 1154 sick prisoners, 402 of Cumhuriyet newspaper in Ankara, missed persons and their spous - them seriously, are “practically Erdem Gül, prosecuted for articles es... Only progress: contrary to the abandoned to death”, while 700 revealing the supply of weapons state of emergency, it will be possi - children under 7 years old are by the MIT (Turkish secret service) ble to legally challenge one’s dis - incarcerated with their mother, and to Syrian jihadist groups, was missal (but there will be no com - another 44 in remand. The report finally acquitted. On the same day, pensation in case of reinstate - also notes a massive use of violence in a raid on the HDP office in ment). “In the new system, against civilians, with an increase Istanbul, police arrested 16 people President Erdoğan has all the in violence against women. for “possession of illegal posters”. power, so there is no need for According to the IHOP collective On the 17th, investigations for emergency law...”, said Pelin human rights platform, between “terrorist propaganda” were Ünker, economic correspondent July 2016 and April 2018, 134.144 opened against two HDP M.P.s for Cumhuriyet, herself threat - people were dismissed and at least from Diyarbakir, Musa ened with a lawsuit after she 228.137 were arrested (including Farisoğulları and Remziye Tosun dared to describe the participation 845 who criticised the Olive Branch (the M.P. for Sur) for attending the of former Prime Minister Binali Operation against Afrîn). funeral of a PKK fighter killed in Yıldırım’s sons of in offshore ship - action. On the 20th, another ping companies, revealed in the Arrests and indictments went on inquiry against HDP M.P.s “Paradise Papers”. Berat throughout the month. On the 5th, Feleknas Uca and Mehmet Rüştü Albayrak, Erdoğan's son-in-law Gulizar Tasdemir, expelled from Tiryaki was opened in Batman for (and new finance minister) has Norway after the rejection of her their presence at the funeral of also launched a lawsuit against application for asylum, was arrest - another fighter killed on the 8th, journalists who reported on his ed on her arrival to Istanbul. On and finally on the 30th another offshore investments... the 11th, Islamic leader Adnan against the HDP female co-presi - Oktar, famous for his TV shows dent Pervin Buldan, for expressing Another measure of the bill seems and creationist books, was arrest - support to them... to have been thought right to ed with 166 of his followers in 120 counter Selahattin Demirtaş: the simultaneous raids. Fervent sup - On 18 October, an Ankara court former co-chair of the HDP, porter of Erdoğan, Oktar again refused Selahattin imprisoned since November 2016, expressed his “confusion and sur - Demirtaş's release, while an inves - has just obtained 10,000 Turkish prise”, adding that it would have tigation was announced against pounds of damages because his been better to arrest supporters of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu for “insulting release requests have not been the PKK... The group, whose the president” because of a carica - reviewed within the legal 30-day assets were confiscated and ture; the real reason is that the period. It is probably by chance entrusted to administrators, is the CHP leader had publicly called that this time would be brought subject of 40 different charges: sex - the Erdoğan regime a “dictator - up to 90 days... ual violence, blackmail, kidnap - ship” and “one-man regime”. ping, constitution of a criminal Human Rights Watch (HRW) has organisation, military espionage, The next day, six people were expressed concern over the draft money laundering... On July 9, 30 detained in Van following the law, which will also allow the people were arrested in Şırnak in death of a policeman who had presidency to arbitrarily dismiss several raids, and 4 sent to the been wounded on 14th during a judges and other officials and the city’s high security prison for raid, and the same day, the busi - police to detain suspects during 12 “membership in a terrorist organi - nessman and HDP member Kamil days without charge... zation”. Among them, the HDP Acar was kidnapped by masked n° 400 • July 2018 Information and liaison bulletin • 3• armed men in Diyarbakır Province Kurds have been banned recently PKK and Gülen! It could literally (SCF ). His vehicle was found on for “terrorist propaganda”, includ - make Turkish-American relations the Şanlıurfa-Diyarbakır road, ing a book of Yezidi prayers! On implode. On the 18th, the Izmir within two kilometres from a the 31st, the Kurdish TV children's court decided to place Brunson police station. Several drivers tes - channel Zarok TV was fined 5% of under house arrest, while the Trump tified to illegal checkpoints held its annual income for “terrorist administration hoped for his release. by masked men, but the police propaganda” after broadcasting Based furthermore on an anony - denied their existence... Previously two songs whose lyrics contained mous testimony, this decision made detained in connection with the the word “Kurdistan” ... ( WKI ) the US President mad. Tense tele - KCK (Union of Kurdistan phone talks on 29 August between Communities) investigation, Acar Many foreigners were also affect - Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and had been released on parole. ed by the arrests. On the 5th, two Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut brothers, British citizens of Iraqi Çavuşoğlu did not solve anything. On the 20th, the police arrested in origin, Ayman and Hariam According to the Washington Post , Ankara several participants in a Barzan, were arrested on their Trump had negotiated with Erdoğan demonstration commemorating arrival at the Dalaman airport, in at the last NATO summit for the the 2015 Suruç suicide attack the South-West of the country, and release of Brunson in exchange for against young people, volunteers detained on remand for “terrorist Israel's release of Ebru Ozkan, a to help rebuild Kobanê, including propaganda” in favour of the Turkish national accused of serving many students. Claimed by PKK, because of their publications as a Hamas courier. Israel did Daech, it had left 31 dead and 100 on social networks. If Cristina release Ozkan, but the Turkish coun - wounded. Cattafesta, the 62-year-old Italian terpart did not come... On the 29th, human rights activist arrested in Vice President Mike Pence sent “a In addition, several people have June for the same reason, was message on behalf of the President been denied their most basic finally able to return to Italy on of the United States of America” to rights. On the 9th, Kurdish politi - the 6th July, thanks to the personal “President Erdoğan and the Turkish cian Esma Yılmaz, mother of a intervention of the Italian Foreign government” that they should take one-year-old girl, who has been in Minister ( ANSA , Italy), on the “immediate measures to free this pre-trial detention since December 12th, three French men and one innocent man of faith and send him 2017, was denied medical release woman were arrested in Şırnak on home to America, failing which the on bail, while her child, impris - charges of having served as couri - United States will impose significant oned with her, must follow 6 ers for the PKK. The French sanctions on Turkey”. Donald months of treatment in a hospital, national Ebru Firat, from Trump then tweeted in the same but still needs breast milk ( SCF ). Toulouse, of Kurdish origin, had direction. The tone came up when On the 30th, a 76-year-old Kurdish already been arrested in 2016 and Erdoğan spokesman Ibrahim Kalın woman, Sisê Bingöl, had to remain is serving a five-year sentence. The described this “threatening lan - in prison in Mersin despite the three French, arrested with 13 guage” as “unacceptable”, adding steady deterioration of her health, other people, were finally released “We will never tolerate anyone's which was reported by the Muş in the early evening. On the 25th, threats”. hospital. Bingöl, who has diabetes, a German citizen was in turn suffers from heart, liver and kid - placed in pre-trial detention in Turkish military operations ney disorders and high blood Hatay. Then, on the 27th, Turkey against the PKK also continued in pressure, but Tarsus hospital pub - tried to kidnap a Gülenist educa - both the Kurdish provinces of the lished a scandalous report certify - tional executive in Ulaanbaatar, country and Kurdistan of Iraq, ing that she can remain in deten - the capital of Mongolia, but the where Turkish army installed 11 tion ... ( ANF ) small plane of the Turkish army military bases. The Turkish mili - had to take off without the teacher tary literally did not stop this Besides, the line of cultural repres - after the mobilisation of his stu - month claiming the “neutraliza - sion against the Kurds is con - dents and the Mongolian authori - tion” of PKK fighters, publishing firmed. On the 26th, the Turkish ties, who summoned the Turkish independently unverifiable bal - translation of the Soviet-era book ambassador... ( AFP ) ance sheets likely to flatter the History of Kurdistan (Kürdistan nationalist sentiments of the Tarihi ), authored by Lazarev and But the most serious case concerning regime supporters... Mihoyan, published in 2001 by the repression of foreigners in Avesta , was subjected to a new ban Turkey remains that of the American On Sunday, July 1, the army accompanied by a fine to the pub - pastor Andrew Brunson, accused of claimed to have “neutralized” 8 lisher. A dozen books dealing with terrorism for the benefit of both the Kurdish fighters over the weekend • 4 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 400 • July 2018 in strikes on the Avasin-Basyan Barzan region, north of Erbil, ban imposed on 30 different areas region of Kurdistan and Van and while the Turkish Air Force of Hakkari in the districts of Şırnak in Turkey. The police in announced the death of 25 Çukurca, Şemdinli, Yüksekova Soran announced that the day Kurdish militants in one week, and the city center was again before, a 19-year-old woman then the 11th, the destruction of 28 extended by the governor for at working in a field had been killed “PKK targets”... On the 12th, the least 15 days. On the 24th, after by a Turkish mortar shell near the Turkish Ministry of the Interior PKK militants killed 15 Turkish border. On the morning of the announced the “neutralization” of soldiers north of Erbil, new strikes 2nd, further strikes on the Amedi Welat Gever (war name of Sefer hit Kurdistan of Iraq. On the 26th, (Dohuk) area caused the civilians Acar), coordinator of a 1998 attack the army announced that it had to panic, and on the 4th, the on a helicopter over Kurdistan neutralized 12 PKK members, and Turkish staff announced that they that killed 15 soldiers. On the 13th, night fighting took place near had struck again that day and the the army announced that it had Sidakan in Erbil province. On the day before on the Iraqi side near neutralized 76 PKK members 30th, the Turkish Ministry of Qandil, Avasin-Basyan and Gara, between the 6th and the 12th in Interior declared that 36 PKK ter - and on the Turkish side Şırnak Kurdistan and the provinces of rorists had been “neutralized” province, killing 11 PKK members. Şırnak, Hakkari, Kars, Ağrı, between 23rd and 30th July in On the 6th, the Turkish bombard - Mardin and Bitlis, then 53 others Turkey and Kurdistan of Iraq. ment caused forest fires in the on the Turkish side from 13 to 17. Moreover, the Turkish staff tweet - Bradost Mountains and on the 8th, On the 14th, Kurdish witnesses ed that 10 members of the PKK of numerous crops in Dohuk, from Iraq reported night strikes had been neutralized on the 29th while the staff still claimed the near Shiladze that frightened the in the Metina region of elimination of 22 Kurdish fighters local population, while the Kurdistan... But these reports in Mardin and Hakkari. On 7, 10 Turkish army claimed to have issued regularly by the Turkish and 11, Hürriyet announced from killed 6 Kurdish fighters, then on authorities on the losses inflicted military sources the “neutraliza - the 19th, in a new announcement on PKK fighters are unverifiable, tion” of at least 40 PKK militants. on the 13 th , the PKK “logistics often fanciful and unreliable, per - For its part, the PKK claimed on manager” Delil Karakocan (Hasan taining to wartime propaganda... the 9th the death of 3 Turkish sol - Cakmak's war name) near Mount Finally, on the 31st, the army again diers in Kurdistan of Iraq in an Bradost ( Kurdistan 24 ). imposed a curfew on the attack on their positions in the On the 23rd, the 2-year circulation Diyarbakir region.

ROJAVA: UNO ACCUSES TURKEY OF MASSIVE VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRÎN

he June report of the HCHR that certain members of armed of Kurds fleeing the Turks, who United Nations’ High opposition groups operating in the refuse to give them back to their Commission on Human region are well-known former crimi - legitimate owners. The latter are T Rights (HCHR), pub - nals, smugglers or drug dealers ”. often turned back at checkpoints lished on 8 th July, accus - Overall, the report confirms the when trying to return, jailed on es Turkey of massive violations of large scale plundering of the suspicion of being members of Human Rights in Afrîn. region is continuing, the plun - Kurdish forces or simply taken off (https://reliefweb.int/sites/relief - dered goods being sold at Azaz, a to unknown destinations. The web.int/files/resources/ohchr_- town controlled by Turkey. The charge of membership in the _syria_monthly_human_rights_dig HCHR also drew up a list of 11 Kurdish forces is also used as a est_-_june_2018.pdf ). kidnappings of civilians for ran - pretext for confiscating property . som, the fate of some remaining Expressing concern at this policy Drawing a frightening picture of unknown. Moreover, the report of ethnic cleansing, the HCHR the situation in the region, it mentions the discrimination demands that Turkey “be watchful describes the security situation as against people suspected of links that all the groups that it commands “unstable ” with fighting between with the Kurdish forces. It also or or controls in Afrin (…) strictly groups, “a high level of violent confirms the settling of thousands observe their obligations regarding crime” and “civilians subjected to of fighters and their relatives as International Humanitarian Rights ”. rape, harassment, kidnaping and well as displaced civilians from A demand that has every likeli - murder ”. “ Civilians informed the other parts of Syria in the houses hood of going unheeded… n° 400 • July 2018 Information and liaison bulletin • 5•

On the 18 th a communiqué from Tukish fighter guarding an army announced that, according to a the German society for endan - base was killed by a sniper, on the source in the local administration, gered peoples (Gesellschaft für 6th , 3 others were killed in an the Military council, like the bedrohte Völker , GfbV) blackened ambush on the Rajo-Afrîn road majority of the local inhabitants, still further the picture drawn up and an important commander, learning from the example of by the UNO report: 120 kidnap - Mohammed al-Sulayman, was Afrin, preferred that the town pass ings, 7 murders, 10 cases of rape killed at Bulbul, and an explosive again under Syrian control rather and 27 raids that destroyed civilian device killed 2 pro-Turkish fight - than fall into the hands of the property, 4 camps burned between ers at a check point at Chara. The Turkish invaders ( Spoutnik ). No 1st and 15 th July. A source also SDF, who sent back from the East confirmation of this statement has reports the disappearance of 3,000 2,000 troops towards Afrin on the come from Manbij. to 7,000 Kurds whose families are 24 th , on the 31 st called on the citi - keeping quiet out of fear. The zens to be vigilant: Turkish sol - Alongside these events, the SDF Turkish troops and the jihadists diers wearing stolen YPG uni - continued their offensive against collect mobile phones to discover forms are attacking civilians to ISIS on the Eastern bank of the who revealed their attacks. The discredit the SDF. Euphrates, advancing slowly eviction of Kurds is nox reacvhing because of the many explosive the “legal” level, with the (pro- At Manbij, a town with an Arab devices the Jihadists had installed. Turkish) Afrin “local Council” majority population, located 30 On the 6 th , according to the Syrian starting to check the title deeds km from the Turkish border, the Centre for Human Rights (SCHR) a (ANF ) … Furthermore, there are situation remains tense. After bomb attack against the SDF at testimonies of deliberate murders, reaching an agreement in June on Bsayra (Deir Ezzor Province) killed such as that of 2 brothers of aTurkish-American “road map”, 11 fighters and 7 civilians, includ - Jindiris, seriously wounded by pro- which defines a buffer zone round ing 3 children. Seeing its usual way Turkish looters. Found the next day the town separating the Turkish of operating, this attack, which was tied to a tree before his house, one forces from the SDF, Turkish not claimed, could well have been of them, a father of 4, died in hospi - troops started to patrol near the by ISIS. This did not stop the SDF tal through lack of medicines. town while the YPG announced a from taking over the towns of Another groups admitted to the “withdrawal” (largely cosmetic) of Madina and Qabrata, Southeast of murder of the 2 young Kurds, their “military advisers”. On the the former stronghold of the group, whose family refused any financial 2nd , two US Senators, one Dashishah (Hassaka). On the 10 th compensation ( SCF ). Finally on the Republican, the other a Democrat, the Turkish TRT television channel 14 th the Rojava administration came to the town. During a meet - reported that the coalition had pro - announced that the occupation ing with the military Council one vided the SDF with 200 lorries of forces had burnt 4,000 trees, includ - of them stressed the importance of weapons and ammunition. A simi - ing many olive trees — over 1,000 maintaining the American pres - lar delivery (250 lorries) the month at Khuziana, in Mobate (Maabatli) ence ( AFP ). On the same day the before had already provoked district and earlier in the week at Fars news agency reported the Turkey’s fury… Rajo, 3,000 olive trees, oaks and arrival of fresh American contin - pomegranate trees. On the 27 th gents. On the 3 rd , the commander On the 13 th the SDF announced the some militia ocupying Bulbul cut of the military Coucil, Xelîl Bozî, beginning of operations against down 68 trees that they sold in declared that if Turkish troops Hajin, one of the last ISIS Turkey ( AFP ). Destroying olive tried to enter the town they would strongholds. The evening before an trees, which are the main source of be the fired upon ( Sputnik ). On the air strike close to the village of al- wealth of the inhabitants is also a 5th a rally to protest against the Sussa, about 25 km Southeast of way of practicing ethnic cleans - invasion of Afrîn was targeted by Hajin, had killed 26 jihadists but ing… a bomb that wounded 22 people also 28 civilians, used as human and caused at least 1 death ( ANF, shields (SCHR).The coalition Meanwhile resistance is continu - Ahval ). On the 15 th the SDF indi - announced the opening of an ing. While on 1 st July the Turkish cated that the last YPG members enquiry into this probable “blun - Army shelled the YPG positions had left the town — an announce - der”, which could also have been round the towns of Malkiyah and ment confirmed on the 17 th by the carried out by Iraqi planes… On the Anab, near Manbij, killing 3 fight - Military Council. It was, however, 14 th the coalition’s artillery shelled ers, on the 10 th the YPG denied by Turkey, which main - several ISIS positions round Hajin. announced they had carried out tained that the withdrawal was On the 24 th the SDF announced several attacks between the 5 th not complete. On the 21 st , the pro- they had taken other villages in the and 8 th . On the 5 th July a pro- Damascus daily El Watan Rodah region, while the US • 6 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 400 • July 2018

Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, ment reached a few months ago political significance. He further boasted in a communiqué of their covers the oil from the Rmeilan considered that the spreading of “bravery” and their “sacrifices”. and Jabsah sites (Hassaka deceptive information by al-Watan Province), controlled by the proved that Damascus was not sin - Another change in the situation, a Kurds. The latter transfer a third cere in its negotiations. The con - political one this time, concerns the of the production to the Homs tents of this publication had indeed contacts between the autonomous refinery, refining the rest them - not been confirmed by the Kurds. administration of North Syria and selves ( Spoutnik ). However the The SDF made the point in the 24 th the Damascus regime. On the 2 nd , Russian news agency notes that that they would keep control of the after the government had met the the calculation is based on an offi - dam. Kurdish delegates in Damascus cial rate of production of 38,000 and Qamishli, Al-Masdar News barrels per day, whereas before the On the 26 th , according to AFP a announced an agreement between war it was 160,000… delegation of the SDC consisting of the Syrian Army and the YPG. The civilian and military leaders came latter was said to have accepted to On the 16 th the Syrian Democratic to Damascus at the government’s remove from the streets and areas Council (SDC), the political invitation. Omar Oussi, a Kurdish under their control in Hasaka, the expression of the SDF, began its member of the Damascus posters depicting Abdullah 3rd Congress at Tabqa, bringing Parliament, confirmed its arrival, Ocalan, and to allow the Army to together for 2 days 240 public fig - declaring that negotiations would open recruiting offices. In return, ures, elected local councillors but cover how “easing the army’s the YPG is said to have asked also representatives of the “offi - entry into the territories with a Damascus to to introduce the cial” (tolerated) Damascus opposi - Kurdish majority population East teaching of the Kurdish language tion. These participants have to of the Euphrates and the restora - into the education system, to count decide on a platform for negotia - tion of State institutions. In the time spent in the YPG as peri - tions with the regime ( AFP ). On exchange the Kurds would obtain ods of military service, and to the 19 th , Ilham Ehmed announced recognition in the Constitution of appoint a Kurd at a position of that the SDC would open offices their “cultural rights”. On the 28 th responsibility in the Oil Ministry. in the provinces of Lattaquia, the SDC declared, in a commu - On the 10 th , a few days after a fresh Damascus, Hama and Homs, niqué, that it had been decided to meeting held in Qamishli, the before confirming on the 20 th that form joint committees to pursue Damascus army did indeed host negotiations were indeed held in the negotiations “ aiming at decen - the Syrian flag over the Nishwah Tabqa. tralising Syria ”, according to quarter in Hassaka, while the pic - Sihanouk Dibo, a member of the tures of Ocalan were removed The pro-regime daily al-Watan SDC (PYD). The Damascus regime from the walls. The Kurdish announced on the 20 th that as well did not comment on these declara - authorities nevertheless denied as the items already published by tions. The discussions could last a any agreement with Damascus. Al-Masdar the Kurdish forces year, so wide is the gap between would surrender the government the SDC’s demands and the cen - On the 13 th , the municipality of the town or Raqqa, several oil and tralising practices of the regime. Tabqa, affiliated to the North gas fields and that the SDF would Syrian Federation, accepted to be incorporated into Damascus’s At the end of the month eyes were give the staff of the State company Army… These assertions were turned to Idlib, controlled by the managing the great dam located refuted by par Salih Muslim, for - Al-Nosra Front — a formerly Al- 50 Km from the town, access to it mer co-president of the PYD, now Qaida affiliate — and Turkish to carry our maintenance — which responsible for the SDF’s external troops. This last rebel region is the amounts to shared management relations. He pointed out that he likely target of the next offensive between the Federation and was ready to negotiate with by Damascus and its allies. On the Damascus. Taken by ISIS early in Damascus, but in the presence of 26 th Ilham Ehmed let it be heard 2014, regained by the SDF in 2017, international mediators and with that the SDF might help the dam, considerably damaged certain guarantees. Taking care to Damascus. For his part, Aldar by the Coalition’s air strikes, distinguish between State organisa - Khalil, co-president of the TEV- needs repair. “ Cooperation exists in tions (like the company that man - DEM (Movement for a Democratic this case because t he dam belongs to ages the dam) and institutions affil - Society) declared that one of the all Syrians ” declared Hamid al- iated to the regime, he pointed out stages for regaining Afrin was to Faraj, a member of Tabaqa’s that the Tabqa agreement was dic - put pressure on Turkey to have it administration. Another agree - tated by public interest and had no leave Syrian soil. ( Rûdaw ). n° 400 • July 2018 Information and liaison bulletin • 7•

IRAQ: POST-ELECTION NEGOTIATIONS WITHOUT ENDING, VIOLENCE IN THE SOUTH; KURDISTAN IS PREPARING FOR ITS OWN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS… ll through the month of the Electoral Commission, pointed negotiations were at first handi - July, while Province by out to AFP . Furthermore it was at capped by the re-counting process, Province the recounting Kirkuk that a car bomb attack likely to alter the initial results, and A of the ballot papers of occurred on the 1 st , aimed at a then by the demonstrations in the May’s election contin - warehouse containing ballot South of the country. In Kurdistan, ued — with results always being papers. It caused 1 death and at the KDP and the PUK, regional win - challenged — the demonstrations least 19 injured — but failed to ners of the elections, finally set aside against corruption and the destroy any ballot papers, since their post-referendum quarrels to absence of basic services in the the police opened fire in time… In present a common front in the dis - South of the country grew ever Kirkuk the PUK had won 6 seats, cussions. Each of those 2 parties greater — as did the repression! 3 others going to the Turcoman committed itself not to undertake Despite all this, negotiations Front, 3 others to the Arab any alliance without the other, then between the parties have been Alliance and 1 to the Christians. in the middle of the month they pursued under cover to try for a On the 9 th several political parties, announced a programme likely to government agreement — without who had not obtained being pre - provide a common basis for discus - any success, so far. In Kurdistan sent during the recount, rejected sions was near. According to preparations for the Parliamentary its results, alleging a manipulation Rûdaw , this programme includes and Presidential elections, due on of the ballot papers… In “the carrying out of Article 140, a ref - 30 th September, continued. Sulaimaniyeh the recount was erendum to decide the fate of the dis - Evaluating the situation in begun on the 10 th , boycotted by puted territories, the formation of a Kurdistan with measured opti - the 4 Kurdish Parties that had balanced government of Shiites, mism, the political veteran challenged the initial results: Sunni Arabs and Kurds, the passing Hoshyar Zebari stated that Iraq had Goran, the Islamic Union of all Parliament’s laws and decisions changed: the elections not giving (Yekgirtû ), the Islamic Komal and on the basis of an agreement and not any list a sufficient majority, the dif - the Coalition for Democracy and on that of the majority opposed to ferent lists would have to dialogue Justice (CDJ), who demanded an minority positions, and a balanced more than before, while all the Iraqi overall recount and not a limited sharing of government positions ”. communities, Shiite, Sunni and one. Despite the corrections affect - The two parties called on the other Kurdish are themselves divided. ing its score, the PUK remained in Kurdish organisations to back this Zebari deems the situation in the lead at Kirkuk and at programme. Kurdistan has improved with the Sulaimaniyeh. On the 12 th the ending of the economic and air recount began in Erbil, boycotted In general all the lists said they embargoes, the improvement of by the same parties as for wanted to avoid the repetition of relations with Baghdad, especially Sulaimaniyeh. On the 14 th it began the post-2010 situation of a Shi’ite the regular sending of its share of in Dohuk, where it lasted till the monopoly of power, inter-commu - the budget. If the Kurds want to 17 th . The one at Nineveh began on nity opposition and marginalisa - succeed in the post-election negotia - the 17 th and included the dis - tion of the Sunni Arabs. The Kurds tions, he said, they must unite. placed peoples’ camps, never have sought to revive the “historic taken into account till then follow - alliance” of Kurds and Shiites that The operation of manual recounting ing a decision by the Parliament. followed the fall of Saddam of the ballot papers, limited to Hussein (Asharq Al-Awsat ). At one polling stations for which com - Finally the manual recount, point, it was talked of a Kurdish plaints for fraud were raised, have described by UNO observers as alliance with Hadi al-Ameri’s Fatah been initiated all through the “transparent”, ended for the coun - list, which would have had 60 month, in one province after anoth - try as a whole on the 26 th . The M.P.s – thus passing before er. They began with Anbar, Dohuk, committee responsible for it Moqtada Sadr’s Sayrûn coalition Kirkuk, Erbil, Nineveh ( Ninawa , or announced on the 24 th that it (45 seats). On the 24 th , for the first Mosul Province), Salahaddin and expected the biggest differences time since the elections, delega - Sulaimaniyeh. “ The recounting pro - with the initial results to appear in tions from Fatah and Nuri al- cess first began with Kirkuk, since Kirkuk Province... Maliki’s “State of Law” party came that was where there were the biggest Made necessary by the atomisation to Erbil, however by the end of the number of protests ” Imad Jamil, of of the results, the post-election month no alliance had emerged… • 8 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 400 • July 2018

On the other hand, inter-party dis - on 30 th September. This reactivated which was opposed by the Islamic cussions, without really stopping, the debate on the Region’s Group ( Komal ) and the Islamic had to become more discrete in Presidency, which has been vacant Union ( Yekgirtû ). The latter called the face of the violence developing since Masud Barzani’s resignation for either the suppression of the in the South: on 8 th July, in Basrah, on 1 st November last. He had then post or that the Presidential elec - the police fired real bullets on refused any further extensions of his tions occur at the same time as the demonstrators protesting about term of office, as Parliament had Parliamentary ones ( Kurdistan 24 ). the lack of jobs, electricity and done. His powers had then been The electors have started to check water as well as other basic ser - shared out between the Prime their presence on the new electoral vices and the corruption of the Minister, Parliament and the judicial register, based on the ration cards police. According to the police, 8 power. However, contrary to the (Rûdaw ). demonstrators were wounded, but demands of some of the parties, the an elected local Councillor count - Provincial and Presidential elections In the morning of the 23 rd ed 1 killed and 3 wounded. On the will not take place together with the Kurdistan was shaken by new ter - 13 th demonstrations led by local Parliamentary ones… Some KDP rorist attack: three armed men tribal chiefs took place at Najaf and PUK Members of Parliament took hostages in the Erbil gover - and Babel. At least 3 people were demanded that the first task of the nor’s offices. One civil servant was killed and dozens wounded. next Parliament should be the draw - killed and four police wounded When the demonstrators took ing up of a Constitution that could before the intruders were shot Najaf airport by storm, the Shi’ite clarify the President’s role down after four hours shooting. religious leader, Ayatollah Ali al- (Kurdistan 24 ). The attack was not immediately Sistani, expressing his solidarity claimed. The three assailants were with the movement, demanded a On 1 st July, the Parliament, despite Erbil teenagers, two were 16 and peaceful resolution. The demon - the opposition of the Kurdish the third was 18 ( AFP ). The next strations then extended to the Islamist parties, but with the sup - day the Erbil Security ( Asayish ) provinces of Kerbela, Maysan and port of the KDP, the PUK and issued a warrant for membership Dhi Qar as well as to the Shoula Goran , extended the anti-terrorist of ISIS against an Iraqi M.P., quarter in Baghdad, entering the law, passed in 2006 following the Mullah Salim Shushkayi ( Komal ). sixth day of their movement on two 2004 bomb attacks in Erbil, He was said to be linked to anoth - the 14 th . To try and curb the move - which had caused 101 deaths. er mullah, arrested three weeks ment, the government interrupted Already extended 4 times it was earlier, Ismail Susai, himself the social media and most of the due to expire ( Kurdistan 24 ). linked to the three attackers of the internet services throughout the Human Rights Watch voiced con - governors office. Shushkayi, who country, while the movement took cern about the fate of 1,200 people, is said to have sought refuge in an anti-Iranian tome (a photo of mostly Arabs, incarcerated in the Sulaimaniyeh, rejected these accu - Khomeiny was burnt), Baghdad Region, the Islamist parties have sations and the “New Generation” engaged in alternating concessions expressed doubt about both the movement attacked the warrant as and repression: firing on the effectiveness of the law and the a “ settling of political scores ” after crowds, causing 2 deaths (12 killed guilt of some of the young people Komal had voted against the exten - and over 250 wounded according jailed ( Al Monitor ). sion of the anti-terrorist Law. On to local media) and many arrested. the 26 th Goran, Komal, the Islamic On the 22, Muqtada al-Sadr decid - On the 5 th , Kurdistan’s Electoral Union of Kurdistan and the ed the suspension of post-election Commission announced that it Islamic League ( Yekgirtû ), also discussions until the “ legitimate would accept declarations of can - expressed their support for demands ” of the Iraqis were met. didature for Parliament from the Shushkayi in a common commu - On the 24 th , as the demonstrations 7th to 25 th July. The candidates of niqué. entered their third week, the 37 parties and lists began officially Council of Ministers met to dis - to register as from the 7 th . On the In the disputed territories, anti- cuss how to calm the movement 11 th Parliament voted the suspen - Kurdish actions are continuing. down and some arrested people sion of the Region’s Presidency On the 4 th , the mayor of Daquq were released. However, at the until sitting of the next legislature, (Kirkuk), Amir Khudakaram end of the month the demonstra - which should make a decision Mohammed (UPK), stripped of tions were still going on... about it during its first two years office by the (Arab) interim gover - of office. This vote follows the fil - nor, Rakan Said Jabouri, indicated The internal politics of Kurdistan ing by Goran and the KDP of 2 he would appeal this decision, were dominated by the preparations draft Bills to this effect. The PUK made, according to him on the for the parliamentary elections, due also supported this decision, excuse that he “ hoisted the n° 400 • July 2018 Information and liaison bulletin • 9•

Kurdistan flag, supported the inde - Khurmatu, as well as the Police vehicles ( AFP ). On the same day, pendence referendum and that the Chiefs of the district and suburban also for the first time since the ref - PKK was present in the district ”… area… In the city of Kirkuk itself, erendum, a meeting took place On 10 th July, 600 Kurdish families by the end of the month, after a between the Kurdish and Iraqi from three Kirkuk villages com - Kurd had been shot by an officer of troops, in the course of which the plained they had been driven from the Iraqi Army, the Iraqi anti-ter - latter asked for authorisation to their lands by the North Oil rorist forces surrounded the Azadi launch raids against ISIS in areas Company from whom they had hospital to which his body had held by the Pehmergas — an received expulsion notices, while been taken and deployed in several authorisation refused by the for - other villages, populated by Kurdish quarters in fear of an mer. Arabs, had not been bothered. uprising. Their present location had already On the 10 th a bomb detonated at been imposed on them in 2005 by In certain cases the abuses of the passing of an Iraqi police the company ( Rûdaw ). On the 17 th power by members of the Shi’ite patrol caused 1 death and 3 the mayor of the Sargaran militia trying to drive Kurdish vil - wounded Southwest of Kirkuk. As (Kirkouk) sub-district, Luqman lagers out of their homes combined a reprisal, the Iraqi Air Force Husein, accused the governor of with attacks that more probably destroyed several Jihadist vehicles carrying out a policy of arabisa - came from ISIS militia, because the and a camp, killing 7 others in tion against the Kurdish villages threat from Jihadists is unceasingly another operation on the 12 th , of his sub-district, denouncing the growing again. At the beginning of before launching ground opera - settling, in Kurdish villages, of the month Baghdad deployed new tions on the 14 th towards Tuz thousands of armed Arabs who forces in the province and began Khurmatu ( Rûdaw ). On the 17 th , received identity cards ( WKI ). On the construction of a security barri - Iraqi fighter aircrafts carried out the 18 th Kurdistan 24 announced it er along the Syrian border. Actions several strikes to the Northwest of had secured copies of an official against ISIS are incessant. On the Kirkuk, reporting having killed 14 order of the 11 th July in which the 30 th June, ISIS’s expert in finance Jihadists. However, on the 18 th at Minister of Health dismissed and logistics, Abu Obaida, was least 11 people were wounded in Kirkuk’s Director General of killed near Mount Qarachogh, not the city of Kirkuk by 3 explosions — Health, Sabah Zangana (a Kurd), far from Makhmour, in a joint unclaimed but evocative of ISIS to replace him by a Turcman. operation by the Coalition and the methods. On the same day the Finally, Rûdaw revealed that since Peshmergas. On the 2 nd the Iraqis police in Nineveh announced the federal forces had taken over the launched an operation in the capture of 23 Jihadists West of disputed territories on 16 th orchards of Baquba (Diyala), Mosul, and a joint operation of the October, 30 Kurdish villages near destroying and defusing the mines Iraqi Army and Peshmergas with the town of Dibis, round Daquq laid there by the Jihadists. Coalition air support, again aimed and Tuz Khurmatu (Kirkuk) had at Mount Qarachogh. However, on had to be evacuated because of It was at Diyala that the number of the same day as the attack on the threats by non-Kurdish groups, ISIS victims in June was the high - Erbil governor’s offices, some especially armed Shi’ite Arabs est: 16 killed and 36 wounded, armed men, presumably Jihadists, brought there during Saddam before Kirkuk (10 killed 36 attacked in the evening a police sta - Hissein’s dictatorship. In some wounded) and Baghdad (19 killed tion at Makhmour and killed 4 peo - cases even the Kurdish names of and 18 wounded). On the 3 rd a ple there ( Kurdistan 24 ). the villages were changed. On the raid South of Kirkuk was able to 26 th 6 Kurdish police officers were kill 14 Jihadists. On the 4 th , while In Mosul, another 50 Shabak fami - sacked in Kirkuk (the local PUK the Kurdish Prime Minister, lies left for Dohuk due to the lack was only able to secure the sus - Nechirvan Barzani, declared he of security and of basic services. In pension of this decision). Amongst was ready to cooperate with view of the degradation of securi - the Kurdish leaders in Kirkuk who Baghdad to ensure the security of ty conditions in the disputed terri - have been stripped of office since the disputed areas, a vast joint tories, even some Iraqi comman - October 2017, are the Governor, operation of the Iraqi Army and ders, according to Rûdaw , are the Director of Security, the the Peshmergas (the first since demanding that the Peshmergas Director General of Health, the October 2017) launched near the be enabled to return, especially to Director General of Agriculture, Iranian borders, resulted in the Kirkuk, Diyala, Salahaddin and the Mayors of the towns of death of 1 Jihadist, the capture of 9 the areas round the Hamrin Kirkuk, Dibis, Daquq and Tuz others and the destruction of 8 Mountains... • 10 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 400 • July 2018

IRAN: INCREASING MILITARY TENSIONS BETWEEN THE KURDISH PARTIES AND STATE REPRESSION FORCES ension has increased, herds, who had come to fetch in the Marivan re gion, provoking this month, in Iranian their sheep and then some of the explosion of its stock of Kurdistan, also affect - their relatives who had come for ammunition ( RFI ). The PJAK T ing the neighboughing news of the shepherds… The claimed the attack the next day. areas of Iraqi mayor of Sidakan, Ihsan On the 23 rd Iran indirectly warned Kurdistan. On 2 nd July the Chalabi, stressed that neither the KRG in a communiqué, threat - Iranian border guards defined in sheep nor civilians had ever ening “certain neighbouring coun - Iraqi Kurdistan near Haji crossed the border. All were tries” that if they if they failed to Omaran a band of “no man’s released on the 10 th after the better control the border insecuri - land” of 10 km by 2 km, threat - intervention of the Kurdistan ty, it would act by itself to “ target ening of shooting the villagers if border guards. According to terrorist bases in these countries ” they failed to evacuate the zone Chalabi, the same thing had hap - (Kurdistan 24 ). within 72 hours. 50 families are pened in 2017 over 43 cows – but said to be concerned ( Kurdistan these, however, were never In this context of increasing mili - 24 ). The Iranians have been reg - given back… tary tension, arrests and execu - ularly shelling the area for sever - tions have followed one another al years now, claiming to aim at In the evening of the 11 th a all through the month. opposition fighters. The Kurdish member of the pasdaran According to Hengaw , during the Regional Government of was killed near Piranshahr by 2 first 15 days of July at least 43 Kurdistan (KRG) appealed to the KDPI Peshmergas who, accord - Kurds, including 12 shepherds, Iranian Government to put an ing to that organisation, had been were arrested and incarcerated end to these blind bombard - captured and injured by him in in Iran, 18 accused of “political ments while asking the Kurdish the past. Another Kurdish pasdar activities”, 2 of “religious activi - fighters not to launch operations is said to have been killed in the ties”, another of “media activi - towards Iran from its territory. same week. In the afternoon of ty”. Among the detainees, 8 are the 13 th , the Iranian artillery originally from Iraqi Kurdistan In the evening of the 7 th , fighting shelled again the Choman region and four others from Turkish took place between KDPI of Iraqi Kurdistan for 20 minutes, Kurdistan. Among the execu - Peshmergas and Guardians of forcing the shepherds to flee. tions, still according to Hengaw , the Revolution ( pasdaran ) near According to the mayor of Haji only in the week of the 16 th , the the mountain village of Koke, Omaran, Farzang Ahmad, there Iranian Government hanged 10 near Bokan (Western were no casualties. The next day Kurdish prisoners accused of Azerbaïjan), causing 4 killed or there were several fights murder, the last 3 at Urumiah. wounded amongst the pasdaran . between the pasdaran and KDPI Amongst these, a man of 65, Claiming the operation on the Peshmergas at Nowdeshah and who had been in prison for 10 9th , the KDPI pointed out that Paveh (Kermanshah). According years ( Kurdistan 24 ). The denial the Iranian security forces had to the pasdaran , 1 of their men of political prisoners’ rights is avenged their losses by attacking and 3 Peshmergas were killed. also an everyday practice, as and arresting local civilians. The KDPI announced having with Ghader Mohammad After the confrontations, several killed 2 pasdaran (Rûdaw ). On the Zadeh, sentenced to 18 years for military helicopters flew over 17 th , intense artillery shooting moharebeh (hostility to God, an the mountains. Some fighting caused fires and the flight of iniquitous punishment for dissi - had already taken place on 23 rd civilians from the Sidakan region dents). Although Zadeh has June near Piranshahr. of Kurdistan, but without making already served 12 years of his civilian casualties. The next day, sentence, he was refused condi - In the morning of the 9 th , the the KDPI announced that 2 of its tional release and the prison Iranian border guards crossed Peshmergas had been killed. authorities have removed his the Iraqi Kurdistan borders in During the night of 20/21, 11 pas - bed and forcibly transferred him the Kela Shin district, near daran were killed and 8 others to the labourers section. As a Sidakan, and confiscated a thou - wounded when fighters of the punishment for protesting he sand sheep that, they said, were PJAK (a party linked with the was moved to isolation on 9 th grazing too close to their out - Turkish PKK) attacked one of June and has began a hunger posts. They then arrested 2 shep - their bases near the village of Dari strike on the 15 th , which he was n° 400 • July 2018 Information and liaison bulletin • 11 • continuing at the end of the ration, also indicated that it was agents of the Intelligence month. considered to transfer the pris - Services for “ preaching oner to Rajai Shahr prison, near Christianity on Internet ”, like Another Kurdish political pris - Teheran, which has a sorry repu - Massoumeh Taqinejad, 30 years oner, Ramin Hossein Panahi, 24 tation for using torture, rape and old, arrested on the 19 th at her year of age, is in Death Row murder, and is considered one of home in Kermanshah with her since January, accused of “ having the worst prisons in Iran... son and kept incommunicado taken up arms against the State ” since then. Her computer and without any proof of his having On the 7 th , exactly one year to her personal effects were confis - taken part in armed operations the day of the attack (on 7 th June cated when she was arrested. of the Kurdish party Komala . In 2017) against the Parliament and The Special United Nations April the Iranian Supreme Court Khomeiny´s mausoleum, which Rapporteur on Human Rights in approved his sentence, but his had caused 12 deaths and 42 Iran, Ahmad Shahid, declared execution, planned for 3 rd May wounded, 8 Kurds found guilty during the 28 th session of the was postponed after an interna - were executed. The operation had United Nations Council for the tional uproar at the United been claimed by ISIS. defence of Human Rights that Nations and several NGOs. Mid- Iran continued to violate the June some activists demonstrat - The Iranian Intelligence Services rights of religious minorities like ed to stop his execution before (Ettela'at ) are also continuing to the Yarsans, Bahaiis, Christians, UNO at Erbil. A group of kidnap Kurdish activists. Thus Sufis, and Sunni Moslems: lawyers including his own sent for the activist Peyman Abdi in between March 2017 and March to the Supreme Guide, the Marivan, taken to an unknown 2018 47 Kurdish women and 3 President and the Supreme location, or Abdulwahid Pûr, Christian women were arrested Court, letters requesting a stop kidnapped in Mahabad. for their faith by the Security to his execution, letters which Furthermore the Kurdish student Services. remained without answer. On at Teheran, Meryem Faraji, 33 the 3 rd the “pro-Kurdish” party years old, who had taken part in Abroad an affair involving sever - of Turkey HDP also called for the organisation of the demon - al people of Iranian origin, the immediate stopping of his strations against the regime in including the Iranian diplomat execution in a letter to the January 2018, and had disap - Assadollah Assadi, on duty in Iranian Ambassador in Turkey. peared since 5 th July, was found Vienna since 2014 and three other On the 4 th Panahi’s family dead. Her body was so charred people originally from that coun - expressed anxiety following his that it could only be identified on try living in Belgium, has just re- transfer to a cell for detainees the 15 th by ADN analysis. It also activated the memory of the sin - accused of drug dealing, while bore traces of torture ( WKI )… ister murders of opponents com - the authorities cancelled all She had been sentenced to 3 mitted by the regime’s Secret leave for the staff of the prison years jail, then reduced to super - Services long years ago. The peo - in which he is kept ( Hengaw )… It vised freedom and forbidden to ple arrested all appear to be seems the authorities sought to leave the country for 2 years. involved in a plot to attack the make believe an execution was National Council of the Iranian imminent, to torture him and his Dozens of Iranian Kurds, who Resistance (NCIR) during its relations psychologically. On the had supported the Iraqi indepen - annual meeting near Paris. Firstly 5th Panahi was sent to a public dence referendum held last the Belgian Police arrested a cell but everyone is still worried September were also jailed, fined Belgian-Iranian couple from about the danger of his execu - or beaten up (Hengaw) . Thus the Antwerp transporting 500 gr. of tion, especially as his brother, family of Ramin Kardani, a explosives and detonators hidden Amjad Hossein Panahi, tweeted Kurdish activist from Saqqez, in a vanity case. Then Assadi was that the guards had told the indicated that he had been sen - arrested the next day in Germany prisoner “ You will not leave this tenced to 4 years jail. The jour - and accused of acting like a for - block, you will either be executed or nalist, Bextyar Xoşnaw, who eign Intelligence agent and of die in this prison ” ( Iranfocus ). On had, moreover, sent reports to plotting to commit a murder. A the 20 th Amjad again expressed foreign media, was sentenced to fourth suspect, also an Iranian his anxiety: “ The authorities of 74 whip lashes and a fine of living in Belgium, then detained Sanandaj prison told Ramin that he 1.800.000 tomans… in France, is due to be rapidly did not need medical treatment as extradited to Belgium. According he would soon be executed ”. Finally many Christians, includ - to the German authorities, Hengaw , that reports this decla - ing Kurds, were arrested by Assadi, a member of the Iranian • 12 • Information and liaison bulletin n° 400 • July 2018

Intelligence Service operating of the Kurdistan Human Rights Kurdish regions of Iran. The under diplomatic cover, met the Association, found on 17 th July in tremor was felt in Iraqi couple in Luxemburg to give a river near Penjwîn with 7 bul - Kurdistan, especially in Halabja, them the explosives. The NCIR lets in his body... At the end of the Sulaimaniyeh, Erbil, Soran and identified the couple as infiltra - month the KDPI reported holding Raparin. Last year already a tors sent from Teheran. On the 5 th “detailed information” according powerful quake had caused the Iranian Deputy Minister of to which Iran planned “major 5,000 deaths and thousands of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araghchi, military and terrorist operations” injured and 70,000 homeless. summoned the French, German against this party to divert atten - Residents complained at the lack and Austrian Ambassadors in tion from the declining economic of support by the government. Teheran to protest and denounce and political situation in Iran. “a plot aimed at damaging relations On the economic level, although between the European Union and Regarding general news, in the the KRG discusses putting sever - Iran ”… These denuals are not night of the 11 th a collision al border passage points up to very convincing in the face of the occurred between a tanker lorry international standards and even assassinations of the historic lead - coming from Iraqi Kurdistan creating a “free zone” at Parviz- ers of the KDPI: Abdulrahman and a passenger bus, followed Khan (Sulaimaniyeh), a 650 mil - Ghassemlou in Austria in 1989 by an enormous explosion that lion dollar project, the situation and Sadegh Sharafkandi in caused at least 27 deaths near of the Kurds of Iran remains dif - Germany in 1991. The Iranians Sanandaj. According to a local ficult, especially with the drop of have also attacked the KDPI at journalist, there were clashes Iranian currency. In Sanandaj the Koy Sandjak in 1996, assassinated between demonstrators and the cleaning agents of the Salawat hundreds of members of the police after the disaster. The district have been on strike since party in Iraqi Kurdistan, includ - local authorities decreed 3 days the 20 th and were continuing ing 3 in 2018. The latest Kurdish mourning in Kurdistan. On the their movement by the end of activist assassinated is Iqbal 22 nd a 5.9 magnitude earthquake the month. They haven’t been Muradi, a longstanding member caused 128 injured in the paid for the last 7 months. Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

LE FIGARO lundi 2 juillet 2018 Erdogan : un président pour deux Turquie La réélection de Recep Tayyip Erdogan, le 24 juin, a exacerbé les tensions entre deux clans qui se divisent autour d’un président n’ayant cessé, ces dernières années, de faire du clivage une carte électorale.

, -Un poster géant du président DELPHINE MINOUI * @>DelphlneMlnoui : turc a fait son apparition, place TESEKKÜRLER < Taksim, le lendemain de sa CORRESPONDANTE A ISTANBUL iSTANBUl victoire, dimanche 24 juin.

MOYEN-ORIENT Les -yeùx rivés vers l’horizon, le regard triomphant de Re­ cep Tayyip Erdogan domine la place Taksim. « Tesekkürler Istanbul » ( « mer­ ci Istanbul ») annonce le poster géant du président turc, réélu avec 52,5% des voix. Impossible de le rater: couvrant intégralement la façade d’un immeuble de six étages, au cœur de cette place historique de la ville, il a fait son appari­ tion dès le lendemain de sa victoire, di­ manche 24 juin. «l’ai encore du mal à m’y faire», peste Utku, en passant sous l’affiche. Cet enseignant turc y voit la fin d’un rêve, celui d’une Turquie plu­ rielle. «Je fais partie des 47,5 % de Turcs qui ont voté contre Erdogan, tranche-t-il quand on lui demande pour quel candi­ l’autre, les anti, épris de démocratie et au sein des familles remontés contre «le règne d’un seul dat il a voté. J’appartiens à l’autre moitié Dans l’autre camp, le discours est en re­ du pays qui ne se reconnaît ni dans lè vi­ homme» (selon le nouveau système présidentiel dessiné par Erdogan). tour fermement anti-Erdogan. «J’aspi­ sage de cet autocrate ni dans le nouveau re avant tout à une vie normale. En seize Ce clivage s’est ressenti le jour du' décor qu’il nous impose. » ans, Erdogan a divisé la société en la po­ vote. «J’ai choisi Erdogan les yeux fer­ Utku relève la tête, parcourant du litisant. Aujourd’hui, tout est politique: més, parce qu’il sait ce qu’il veut, il est regard les nouveaux «symboles» de être féministe, homosexuel, défenseur de capable de déjouer les complots, de dé­ Taksim: la grande dalle piétonne sans l’environnement, signataire d’une péti­ fier l’Occident», avance Ece, une étu­ charme où les touristes du Golfe pren­ tion pour la paix... », déplore Mustafa, diante de 20 ans. Chemise décolletée nent la pause en mode selfie, la nouvel­ un graphiste qui, à l’instar de 30 % des sur jean délavé, elle n’a rien du cliché le mosquée sortie de terre en moins Turcs, a voté pour Muharrem Ince, le d’un an et ces imposantes bâches an­ de la partisane voilée, tel qu’il est sou­ favori de l’opposition (élu devant le nonçant la construction d’un Opéra ul- vent dépeint par l’opposition, mais candidat kurde Selahattin Demirtas et la tramoderne aux allures de centre com­ confirme l’engouement d’une bonne « dame de fer », Meral Aksener). mercial sur les ruines de l’ancien centre moitié du pays en faveur du concept de «Polariser, c’est mobiliser. Erdogan culturel Atatürk, le père fondateur de la l’«hyperprésident». Hacer, elle, porte en a fait sa recette électorale », observe République... «Partout, Erdogan impose un foulard. Cette médecin de 24 ans a Emre Erdogan. Fini le temps de la main sa marque islamo-capitaliste et nationa­ naturellement voté pour Erdogan, tendue vers les Kurdes et des efforts de liste. Comme si une Turquie en chassait « car il a offert une liberté exceptionnelle rapprochement avec l’Europe du début une autre », souffle Utku, aux femmes de mon milieu », dit-elle en des armées 2000. «Lors des derniers «La Turquie contemporaine a tou­ évoquant l’époque, pas si lointaine, où scrutins, Erdogan a joué la carte de la jours été minée par les clivages et les sa mère, une femme pieuse, nîavait pas division pour mieux régner», poursuit tensions: religieux contre laïques, Turcs le droit de se voiler à l’université. le politologue. Présidentielle de 2014, contre Kurdes, villes contre zones rura­ Aujourd’hui, elle admet avoir certaines législatives de 2015, référendum sur la les... Mais aujourd’hui, après seize an­ réserves sur la «vision» de l’ancien nouvelle Constitution de 2017... Au nées de pouvoir, c’est autour de la per­ maire d’Istanbul, élu une première fois rythme des dernières élections, le fossé sonne même de Recep Tayyip Erdogan président en 2014, après avoir occupé renforcé pârTa fin du cessez-le-feu que s’exacerbe la polarisation», analyse le poste de premier ministre. «Mais en avec le PKK, en 2015 et la paranoàïa Emre Erdogan, professeur dé sciences l’absence de candidat capable de tenir suscitée par le putsch raté de 2016 - n’a politiques à l’université Bilgi. Pour ce un discours politique aussi solide que le cessé de se creuser. En s’alliant le di­ fin observateur dés évolutions du pays, sien, pas question de voter pour quel- manche 24 juin avec le MHP, un parti le scrutin a mis en lumière deux clans qu’un d’autre! Il n’y apasphoto: safor- d’extrême droite nationaliste, Erdogan opposés: d’un côté, les pro-Erdogan, ce, c’est sa personne ! » a également confirmé que şa survie po­ adeptes du culte de la personnalité et litique primait sur celle de son parti1 is- en quête d’un «puissant leader»; de Une intolérance croissante

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lamo-conservateur, l’AKP. confirme ces orientations : l’absence de tionnelle du journaliste Mehmet Altan Autre tendance ainsi révélée par le compromis (80 % des personnes inter­ vopt dans ce sens. dernier scrutin: la polarisation entre rogées jugeant les partisans du clan ad­ Mais Erdogan doit aussi composer «blocs» politiques s’est accentuée. verse « arrogants ») ou encore l’intolé­ avec ses alliés ultranationalistes, fer­ «La grande majorité des électeurs d’Er- rance croissante au sein des familles mement anti-Kurdes et favorables à la dogan ont voté soit pour l’AKP, soit pour (79 % des sondés désapprouvant le ma­ poursuite d’opérations militaires au- le MHP au Parlement. Et, dans le camp riage de leur fille avec un supporteur delà, des frontières dü pays. La person­ adverse, on a vu par exemple des élec­ d’un « autre parti »). nalisation du pouvoir, désormais actée teurs d’Ince, le candidat du parti social «Maintenant que les élections sont avec l’entrée en vigueur de la nouvelle démocrate CHP, voter pour la faction de passées, on peut s’attendre à ce qu’Er- Constitution, offre également peu de gauche prokurde HDP - une manœuvre dogan fasse quelques gestes de pacifica­ place au dialogue et à la critique : un tion», prédit Jana Jabbour, spécialiste stratégique pour lui garantir de passer le tribunal d’Izmir vient d’ordonner le de la Turquie. L’annonce, cette semai­ seuil des 10 % au Parlement», constate placement en détention provisoire de ne, d’une levée prochaine de l’état Entre Erdogan. Son tout nouveau livre, douze personnes accusées d’« insulte Le Dialogue sous cloche (paru en turc), d’urgence et la remise en liberté condi­ au chef de l’État ». ■

/HT Syrie: deux sénateurs américains à Minbej après des tensions avec la Turquie Qamichli (Syrie), 2 juilletl 2018 (AFP) Jeanne Shaheen, démocrate du New Hampshire, ont effectué une visite dans DEUX SÉNATEURS américains se sont rendus lundi à Minbej, dans le la ville avec des membres du Conseil militaire de Minbej. nord de la Syrie, où des négociations entre les Etats-Unis et la Turquie "Le but de la visite était d'évaluer la situation sécuritaire à Minbej", a déclaré à ont permis de réduire les tensions liées à la présence de combattants l'AFP le porte-parole du Conseil militaire de Minbej, Sherfan Darwish. kurdes dans la ville. Le Conseil est lié aux Forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS), une alliance de A plusieurs reprises, les autorités turques ont menacé de lancer une offensive combattants kurdes et arabes qui a délogé le groupe jihadiste Etat islamique contre Minbej et la milice kurde des Unités de protection du peuple (YPG), (El) de Minbej en 2016, avec l'aide de la coalition internationale emmenée par alors que la ville accueille aussi des forces américaines et françaises. Washington. La milice kurde, allié crucial des Etats-Unis dans la lutte antijihadistes, est Le sénateur Graham a souligné l'importance du maintien de la présence amé­ considérée comme un groupe "terroriste" par Ankara. ricaine lors d'une rencontre avec des commandants du Conseil militaire de Mais les efforts diplomatiques entre Washington et Ankara, deux alliés au sein Minbej, selon une vidéo publiée lundi par un site internet lié aux FDS. de l'Otan, ont permis l'adoption début juin d'une feuille de route afin de réduire "Je vais dire au président (Donald) Trump qu'il est important que nous restions les tensions. ici pour vous aider. Vous êtes des amis des Etats-Unis et si nous partons, ce Dans la foulée, les forces turques ont commencé à patrouiller aux alentours de sera terrible", a affirmé le sénateur. la ville, tandis que les YPG ont annoncé le "retrait" de Minbej de leurs derniers M. Trump a indiqué par le passé qu'il souhaitait un retrait des forces améri­ "conseillers militaires". caines engagées en Syrie, mais son état-major a insisté à maintes reprises sur Lundi, Lindsey Graham, républicain de l'Etat américain de Caroline du sud, et leur maintien pour empêcher une résurgence de l'El. •

IS controls 75 villages in Kirkuk, Salahuddin, Diyala: Former Iraqi Interior Minister Baxtiyar Coran I July 08-2018 ERBIL (Kurdistan24.net) - According to a former Iraqi Federal Iraqi interior minister, there are 75 villages in three Police also led provinces under the control of the so-called Islamic an operation State (IS). against the Baqir Jabr al-Zubeidi, former Iraqi Minister of Islamic State Interior, said in a statement on Sunday that IS in mid-June, extremists remain in control of over 75 villages in capturing four the southern Rashad district stretching to the members and areas of Mutaibija and al-Azim in northern burning three Baghdad. hideouts. (Photo: “I have received intelligence that Da’esh is hiding in Reuters) the Hamrin Mountain and control 75 villages” located in Kirkuk, Salahuddin, and Diyala provinces, Zubeidi said, using the Arabic pejorative for IS. border triangle between the three provinces, Peshmerga officials and the anti-IS Coalition, for­ He added that despite the collapse of “the which has recently seen insurgent attacks, bomb­ mally known as Combined Joint Task Force- Caliphate State” in Mosul, the extremists still have ings, ambushes, and kidnappings. Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), recently a strong presence from Hamrin Mountain to The campaign is called “Revenge of the Martyrs” in met to assess the security situation in the contest­ ed areas between Erbil and Baghdad. Samara city. honor of the eight persons IS kidnapped and exe­ On July 4, the Iraqi Army, Federal Police, and Iran- cuted shortly after. According to a Peshmerga Ministry statement, backed Hashd al-Shaabi launched a military opera­ IS has recently intensified attacks on Kurdish vil­ “both sides agreed on the need for an immediate tion against IS militants in the outskirts of Diyala, lages in disputed areas, prompting residents to review of security and military plans in the disputed areas.” ♦ Salahuddin, and Kirkuk. take part in defending their areas and demanding The operation aims to clear areas in the vast desert the return of the Peshmerga.

2 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti UWifttt LE JOUR 3 juillet 2018 Comment Erbil tente de tourner la page du référendum ÉCLAIRAGE Les résultats des dernières élections législatives ont permis un retour au statu quo du partage du pouvoir entre le PDK et l’UKP.

Emmanuelle COUSIN | OLJ tives de Bagdad et la reprise de la 03/07/2018 riche province pétrolière de Une large www.lorientlejour.com Kirkouk, réduisant de moitié les affiche revenus pétroliers de la région appelant à es deux partis historiques du autonome. Les États-Unis avaient voter « oui » LKurdistan irakien, le Parti donné leur bénédiction à l’UPK au référendum démocratique du Kurdistan (PDK) pour qu’il envoie ses peshmergas d'indépen­ et l’Union patriotique du Kurdistan réprimer les mouvements contes­ dance kurde, (UPK), ont repris des couleurs. Le tataires qui défiaient Erbil. organisé l'an­ fiasco du référendum de septembre Dimanche 24 juin, suite aux nom­ née dernière. 2017 avait plongé la région auto­ breuses plaintes pour fraudes et Azad irrégularités concernant le scrutin nome dans une profonde crise poli­ Lashkaril du 12 mai, neufs juges nommés par tique et économique, et l’avait fait Reuters la Cour suprême irakienne ont revenir des années en arrière. Mais annoncé qu’un nouveau décompte les résultats électoraux du 12 mai serait effectué dans les circonscrip­ liances avec les Kurdes de Syrie et le Néanmoins, habitués des volte-face 2018 ont confirmé la mainmise des tions qui ont donné lieu à une con­ PKK de Turquie, et les voisins et trahisons qui caractérisent la « deux partis dans leurs fiefs respec­ testation, notamment dans les régionaux, la Turquie et l’Iran. zone verte », les Kurdes ne font con­ tifs, et le paysage politique qui se régions kurdes. Pour certains ana­ Acculés par le fiasco du référendum fiance à aucun interlocuteur. Ils gar­ dessine actuellement à Bagdad pour lystes, ces résultats inattendus sont sur l’autodétermination de septem­ dent un goût amer de celle de l’an­ la formation d’un nouveau gouver­ le signe d’une ingérence iranienne bre 2017, les Kurdes doivent désor­ cien Premier ministre Nouri al- nement devrait leur permettre de dans le jeu politique kurde pour mais faire front commun face à Maliki, qu’ils avaient pourtant con­ revenir dans le jeu politique. maintenir en place l’UPK, avec qui Bagdad afin de retrouver voix au tribué à porter au pouvoir, et plus l’Iran entretient des liens étroits. chapitre dans la renégociation des récemment celle du Premier min­ Les résultats des élections ont per­ L’analyste Abdullah Hawez avait dossiers qui les opposent au gou­ istre sortant M. Abadi qui a réprimé mis un retour au statu quo du révélé la présence de Kassem vernement fédéral. D’après Mala le projet d’autodétermination. « partage du pouvoir entre le PDK et Soleimani, le commandant des Bakhtiar, la priorité concerne la Tous les partis se montrent à l’é­ l’UPK, qui avait été contesté en forces iraniennes al-Qods, à question du budget - Bagdad a coute dans la phase des négocia­ 2013 par la montée en puissance Souleymaniya le jour des élections, réduit la part du budget allouée à la tions postscrutin, mais c’est une fois des partis de l’opposition. Le parti sur son compte Twitter. région autonome à 12,6 %, alors au pouvoir qu’ils sacrifient la cause d’opposition Goran (Le change­ que 17 % sont prévus dans la kurde », affirme le haut politique ment, en kurde) menaçait partic­ LUTTES INTESTINES Constitution -, le versement des kurde. ulièrement l’UPK et comptait sur Habituellement à couteaux tirés, le salaires des fonctionnaires kurdes, ces élections pour la devancer et PDK et l’UPK ont décidé de faire notamment des peshmergas, la « Conscients qu’aujourd’hui ils ne balayer le bipartisme pour de bon. front commun à la fois face à l’op­ redistribution des ressources sont plus en mesure d’imposer leur Or, dans la région kurde, le PDK position kurde et face à Bagdad. Au pétrolières, mais aussi le statut des « ligne rouge à Bagdad, les Kurdes sort grand gagnant en remportant cours des dernières semaines, en zones disputées », comme Kirkouk. adoptent un rôle de spectateur et 25 sièges parlementaires et l’UPK amont des rencontres avec Bagdad, parlent à tout le monde «, analyse arrive second avec 18 sièges, loin les deux partis se sont retrouvés NÉCESSITÉ D’UN KURDISTAN Adel Bakawan, chercheur associé à devant le Goran qui n’en obtient pour « élaborer un programme com­ FORT l’EHESS, spécialiste des Kurdes que 5. Désabusé, le mouvement mun de demandes, qu’une seule Les deux partis politiques kurdes d’Irak, quitte à s’allier à une coali­ contestataire a annoncé envisager délégation représentative ira porter avaient félicité conjointement la tion comprenant M. Abadi, qui de se retirer complètement du à Bagdad au nom des Kurdes ». nouvelle alliance scellée le 13 juin incarne pourtant la débâcle du processus politique irakien. S’il était Prompt à rebattre les cartes, Mala entre Moqtada Sadr et Hadi al- référendum, et Hadi al-Ameri, attendu que les élections confirment Bakhtiar, chef exécutif du bureau Ameri, le chef du Fateh, le parti le l’obligé des Iraniens et ennemi de le rapport de force en faveur du clan politique de l’UPK, déclare d’un plus pro-iranien sur la scène iraki­ leur parrain américain. Barzani de Massoud Barzani - la mort du ton conciliant à L’Orient-Le-Jour enne. D’après leur communiqué, il avait entrepris le référendum de sep­ leader historique de l’UPK, Jalal que « notre responsabilité nous s’agissait d’une avancée positive tembre pour exercer une pression Talabani, en octobre 2017, puis impose de mettre de côté nos rival­ vers « le début d’une feuille de route sur Bagdad, mais son pari s’est celle de Nawshirwan Mustafa, chef ités, il y va de la survie du GRK politique pour surmonter la crise retourné contre lui et le Kurdistan du mouvement Goran, la même (Gouvernement de la région politique actuelle en Irak et au en a payé le prix fort. Désormais, année, lui ont ouvert la voie comme autonome) ». Pourtant, quelques Kurdistan ». Le bloc kurde PDK- les Kurdes se sont fait une raison et seule figure fédératrice du Kurdistan mois plus tôt, Massoud Barzani UPK pourrait s’allier à son tour à comptent atteindre leurs objectifs -, la victoire de l’UPK dans la accusait « l’UPK d’avoir sabordé le cette coalition, à la condition qu’elle graduellement, en misant sur la province de Souleymaniya est pour bateau pour couler le capitaine », en s’engage à faire avancer les dossiers légalité de leurs revendications et le le moins surprenante. C’est dans faisant référence à la docilité - voire qui le concerne. Le soutien kurde soutien de la communauté interna­ cette même province que s’est la complicité - avec laquelle l’UPK permettrait à la coalition, qui s’est tionale. Car s’il y a bien un consen­ déclenchée cet hiver une violente a laissé l’armée irakienne reprendre élargie le week-end dernier, grâce à sus qui réunit les puissances vague d’hostilités vis-à-vis de la Kirkouk à la suite du référendum. une alliance avec le bloc du Premier régionales rivales, c’est « la nécessité gouvernance de l’UPK, caractérisée En réalité, des décennies de luttes ministre actuel, Haïder al-Abadi, d’un Kurdistan fort dans un Irak par une corruption endémique. La intestines interkurdes minent le d’atteindre le nombre de voix néces­ uni », conclut le spécialiste Adel population kurde subit les con­ Kurdistan. Depuis la fin de leur saire pour former le prochain gou­ Bakawan.» séquences d’une grave crise guerre civile (1994-1997), l’UKP et vernement irakien. Ce qui vaudrait économique, aggravée à la suite du le PDK privilégient leurs intérêts aux Kurdes, à l’image de 2006 et référendum par les mesures puni­ partisans via de multiples jeux d’al­ 2014, le titre de « faiseurs de rois ».

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J&ÎÎÎOBÎtt JEUDI 5 JUILLET 2018

sur le devant de la scène : les ko- A Diyarbakir, les Kurdes craignent rucu, ou gardiens des villages, un ensemble de milices kurdes pro­ gouvernementales fondées dans le retour aux années noires les années 1980 pour lutter contre le PKK dans les campagnes.

L’alliance de l’omnipotent président turc avec les ultranationalistes « Notre guerre va continuer» présage une reprise’des méthodes dures contre la société civile A Çinar, une bourgade écrasée de chaleur des environs ruraux de Diyarbakir, Seyithan Karadag, DIYARBAKIR (TURQUIE) - président de Fédération des ko- envoyé spécial rucu du Sud-Est, se réjouit du ré­ sultat des élections de dimanche : lors que Recep Tayyip Er­ «La réélection de notre président dogan et son entourage va nous permettre d’éradiquer le se préparent à entamer PKK, notre guerre va continuer de un nouveau mandat, à Diyarba­ A manière encore plus efficace grâce kir et ailleurs en pays kurde de la au système présidentiel », annon- Turquie, on se prépare à un ave­ ce-t-il d’un ton sentencieux. Une nir lourd de périls. Pour beau­ broche formée d’un croissant et coup, la réélection de M. Erdogan d’une étoile sertis de brillants en à la tête d’un système présiden­ plastique au revers de sa veste de tiel qui organise sa domination costume, il accueille, en kurde, sa personnelle sur l’appareil d’Etat, langue maternelle, un villageois mais aussi son alliance recon­ venu demander une audience. duite avec les ultranationalistes Pour M. Karadag, il n’y a pas de du Parti de l’action nationale problème kurde en Turquie, mais (MHP), va confirmer une vision un problème de terrorisme. Dans exclusivement sécuritaire de le bureau sombre qui occupe le l’action de l’Etat dans le Sud-Est, Dans un magasin de Diyarbakir, au lendemain de la victoire de premier étage d’un immeuble si­ censée aboutir à l’écrasement du Recep Tayyip Erdogan à la présidentielle, le 25 juin. Emre Tazegui / ap tué dans une petite rue commer­ mouvement kurde. çante, M. Karadag montre fière­ Malgré le relatif succès de son ment sur son téléphone une pho­ émanation légale, le Parti démo­ dont le fils a été élu député AKP Aujourd'hui, on ne torture plus, on tographie de lui en tenue de mili­ dimanche 24 juin, est également n’enlève plus, mais on vit dans la cratique des peuples (HDP), qui cien, l’œil dans la mire d’une entre au Parlement en obtenant revenu en grâce dans l’entourage peur d'une justice officielle, utilisée mitrailleuse, lors des combats du chef d’Etat turc. par le pouvoir d’un seul homme 11,62 % des voix et la majorité contre le PKK, dans la vieille ville dans onze départements situés pour détruire ses opposants. » de Diyarbakir, début 2016. «De­ «Signal clair» Cet homme de 71 ans qui nous en pays kurde, on se prépare déjà puis la reprise du conflit, 3000 ko- à des heures sombres. « Ces résul­ Souleyman Soylu, ministre sor­ reçoit dans une villa cossue im­ rucu ont étéformés en soldats pro­ tant de l’intérieur, une autre fi­ prégnée d’un parfum de menthe tats rendent la paix inimaginable fessionnels à Izmir [ouest du à ce stade», confiait un responsa­ gure des années noires, s’est fraîche sait depuis début juin pays]. Leur expérience va être utile quant à lui illustré à quelques qu’il encourt vingt-deux ans de ble du HDP le soir des élections. à notre armée, ils connaissent le Deux ans après la défaite des in­ jours du scrutin par des propos prison pour appartenance à une PKK et on ira où ilfaudra aller. No­ accusant le barreau de Diyarba­ organisation terroriste. En cause, surrections urbaines lancées par tre président n’a besoin de la per­ le PKK à la suite de l’effondrement ses activités au sein d’une émana­ kir, un des derniers foyers de mission de personne pour net­ tion pourtant légale du mouve­ du processus de paix, l’idée d’une contestation au sein de la société toyer les terroristes à l’intérieur ou ment kurde. «Erdogan est impré­ poursuite des méthodes dures civile dans les régions kurdes, de à l’extérieur de notre pays. » visible et tout dépend de lui. Du domine dans les conversations et soutien au terrorisme. «Le retour En 2018, et pour la première fois jour au lendemain, il peut décider les commentaires politiques de la de ces personnalités dans le camp de leur histoire, ces combattants défaire machine arrière, relancer région. En plus de l’alliance avec du pouvoir est un signal clair de la kurdes loyalistes ont été dé­ le processus de paix s’il pense que les nationalistes, elle s’est trouvée part d’Erdogan : il veut criminali­ ployés par l’armée turque dans cela sert ses intérêts. Mais nous encore renforcée par l’apparition, ser la société civile kurde. Cela l’enclave dAfrin, prise aux forces nous attendons à ce qu’il pour­ lors de la campagne de Recep peut annoncer de nouvelles va­ kurdes locales, liées au PKK, avec suive cette politique encore plus Tayyip Erdogan, de figures incar­ gues d’arrestations maintenant le soutien de groupes armés sy­ durement sous son prochain man­ nant le traitement brutal de la qu’il est élu avec tous les pou­ riens à dominante islamiste. Ils dat», anticipe-t-il. question kurde par Ankara dans voirs », estime Serhat Eren, avo­ interviennent également en sou­ Dans le sud-est de la Turquie, la les années 1990. cat à Diyarbakir, proche du mou­ tien aux forces turques dans le poursuite de la lutte contre le Le 17 juin, la présence de Tansu vement kurde. nord de l’Irak contre les bases du mouvement kurde ne saurait se Çilier au dernier meeting de cam­ Pour son aîné, Fethi Gümüs, bâ­ PKK. Des tribunaux de Diyarba­ passer de moyens militaires. De­ pagne à Istanbul du président Er­ tonnier de Diyarbakir de 1990 à kir aux hautes vallées du Kurdis­ puis 2015, la présence des forces dogan a été particulièrement 1994, si les méthodes ont changé, tan irakien, en passant par les ré­ de sécurité turques est massive et mal vécue par beaucoup de Kur­ l’objectif reste le même. «Il y a gions du nord de la Syrie, la la région fourmille de rumeurs des de Turquie. Son mandat de vingt ou trente ans, on nous arra­ guerre du président réélu Erdo­ quant à la formation d’embryons première ministre (1993-1996) chait des aveux sous la torture. l’ai gan contre le mouvement kurde de groupes paramilitaires autour fut marqué par les pires abus de moi-même été torturé cinquante- ne connaît pas de frontières. ■ forces paramilitaires dans la ré­ deux fours durant en 1985 pour des d’associations acquises à la figure ALLAN KAVAL gion, lors de la période dite de la raisons politiques. Les gens vi­ du président Erdogan. Un acteur « sale guerre ». Mehmet Agar, son vaient dans la terreur d’un sys­ de la contre-guérilla des décen­ ancien ministre de l’intérieur, tème qui usait de moyens illégaux. nies passées est en tout cas revenu

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IAL-MONITOR! JULY 6, 2018 What's behind nationalist gains in Turkey’s Kurdish regions?

As many struggle to explain the rise in the nation­ The leader of Turkey's alist vote in Turkey’s Kurdish-majority southeast, Nationalist Action some observers see the impact of police and mili­ Party, Devlet Bahceli, tary reinforcements in the region and the influence gestures as he address­ es his supporters dur­ of the security establishment. ing an election rally, Ankara, Turkey, June Sibel Hurtas 23, 2018. ADEM July 6, 2018 ALTAN/AFP/Getty www.al-monitor.com/ Images

he most controversial results in Turkey's June 24 elections came from way,” he said. the predominantly Kurdish provinces in the country's southeast. The The increase in the number of security forces in the southeast stems from TNationalist Action Party (MHP), whose hard-line nationalist rhetoric hardlyreinforcements sent to the region since 2015, when the authorities appeals to the Kurds, saw a three-fold increase in its votes in the region, launched a massive crackdown on armed Kurdish militants holed up in while the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), the torchbearer of the Kurdish urban areas. More police and soldiers are said to have been sent to the political movement, suffered a decline. region ahead of the elections, increasing the number of those who could vote without being registered at a specific ballot box. Given the diametrically opposed policies of the two parties, many analysts agree that swing votes and internal dynamics cannot explain the phenom­ When it comes to the HDP, its own showing in the region also defied expec­ enon. Hence, the MHP's gains and the HDP's decline require separate tations. Though the party managed to surpass the 10% national threshold analyses. to enter parliament, the support it received from local Kurds was well below Examples of how MHP votes increased from the November 2015 elections what it had hoped for in the face of the mounting nationalist rhetoric of both include the following provinces: Van (from 6,348 to 16,240), Mus (from the MHP and the AKP. Most notably, conservative Kurds disgruntled with 2,708 to 7,051), Diyarbakir (from 6,619 to 11,965), Mardin (from 3,701 to the AKP had been expected to gravitate to the HDP. The results, however, 10,426), Sirnak (from 3,081 to 9,368), Hakkari (from 2,232 to 5,166), Siirt show the opposite. (from 2,379 to 5,312). For Bilgen, this also has to do with external factors. The loss of votes is observed mostly in areas such as Nusaybin and Kiziltepe, which suffered Local observers note the MHP has made no special effort to boost its pop­ ularity in the region since the 2015 elections. Bahar Kilicgedik, a long-time the most in the 2015-2016 crackdown, he said. “The voter loss in those journalist in Diyarbakir, told Al-Monitor that the MHP hardly did any cam­ areas is 20-25%. Those people saw their neighborhoods destroyed and paigning ahead of the June 24 polls. Referring to MHP leader Devlet lost their homes. There was significant migration. We will analyze electoral Bahceli, she said, “Bahceli never came to the region and never held any registers to make a definitive conclusion,” Bilgen added. rallies during the campaign period. I failed to observe any activity on the n a self-critical note, Bilgen said the party underperformed in bringing part of the [MHP's] provincial branches either. The only things I came its voters to the ballot boxes, noting that many Kurds had moved to across were the Bahceli posters hung on the facades of provincial offices.” Owestern provinces as seasonal workers during the summer. “Similarly, our The lack of MHP electioneering, coupled with the party's sharpened nation­ organization was not strong enough in terms of the distribution of ballot box alist rhetoric, have led analysts to look to external dynamics to explain the overseers,” he added. party's gains in the region. The spokesman stressed that almost all invalidated votes in the region In an interview with Al-Monitor, researcher and writer Kemal Can pointed to were HDP votes. About 300,000 HDP votes were classed as invalid during the count, he said. This is a significant figure, given that the number of two possible factors: the significant increase in the number of security forces in the region, and the influence of the security bureaucracy. votes that propelled President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the 50% mark for a first-round victory in the presidential polls was about 700,000. He said, “The first reason is related to the increase in the number of the security forces, as some local surveys confirm. There is also data suggest­ The heavy influence of external factors leaves little room for a political ing that the voting behavior of the security forces has shifted from the [rul­ analysis of the results. Neither the HDP nor the MHP appears likely to ing] Justice and Development Party [AKP] to the MHP. This is not enough make any fundamental changes to its Kurdish policies based on the to explain fully the numerical increase but could still create small propor­ results. tional differences.” “I don't expect the MHP to consider softening its Kurdish policy in light of the vote it got from the region,” Can said, adding, “On the contrary, if the The second factor could be the influence of the security bureaucracy and the so-called village guards — government-armed Kurds helping the secu­ vote increase is really due to the reasons we contemplate [the influence of rity forces — “in terms of relocating ballot boxes and controlling and manip­ the security bureaucracy], this was achieved exactly because the MHP ulating the voting,” Can said. “They might have used that influence in favor opted for a hard-line rhetoric.” of the MHP. Though hard to prove, this is possible.” Stressing that voter shifts from the AKP to the MHP were observed across he HDP, too, is struggling to explain the MHP's gains in the region. The Turkey, Can said, “The AKP's increase of the nationalist dosaqe served the MHP.” issue will feature in an election report by the party, to be released in the Tcoming days. Bilgen, for his part, conceded that Kurds could have seen shortcomings or In remarks to Al-Monitor, HDP spokesman Ayhan Bilgen drew attention to weaknesses in the HDP. “Yet this does not mean that there is a better alter­ the so-called 142-code papers, which allow members of the security forces native than the HDP, but that they see shortcomings,” he said. “Voters have to vote at any ballot box. He suggested that security forces were directed [expressed] objections and criticism of the HDP, and we will analyze those to vote in areas with smaller electorates. “In [relatively bigger] provinces as well.” ♦ such as Sanliurfa and Mardin, the votes of 3,000 or 5,000 security officers Sibel Hurtas is an award-winning Turkish journalist who focuses on human rights cannot sway the outcome, but in Hakkari, they managed to get one law­ and judicial and legal affairs. Her career includes 15 years as a reporter for the maker elected by directing that many security officers to vote in the region,” national newspapers Evrensel, Taraf, Sabah and HaberTurk and the ANKA news agency. She won the Metin Goktepe Journalism Award and the Musa Anter he said. Journalism Award in 2004 and the Turkish Journalists Association’s Merit Award in “The second issue is multiple voting,” Bilgen said, stressing that the 142- 2005. In 2013, she published a book on the murders of Christians in Turkey. Her code papers were prone to abuse, allowing their holders to vote multiple articles on minorities and unresolved killings appear on the Faili Belli human rights times without detection. “There is no record system to control such voters. blog. We have no idea how many people could have voted multiple times in this

5 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti international ^ÏUillürk cimes july 12,2018 An economy that’s too hot

YENIKOY, TURKEY

There is a growing risk that Turkey will slide into a financial crisis

BY PETER S. GOODMAN

Looming like a fortress over the Black Sea, Istanbul’s new airport has been en­ gineered to provoke awe, underscoring Turkey’s desire to reclaim its imperial glory. The project is expected to cost nearly $12 billion and carve six runways across a swath of land as big as Manhattan. When completed in a decade, the com­ plex is supposed to transport some 200 million people a year, dwarfing all rivals as the busiest airport on the planet. But the airport has also become a Merchants in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar complain that they must pay their rent in dollars and symbol of a less savory aspect of Tur­ euros while selling their wares in the Turkish currency, which is dwindling in value. key’s modern incarnation: its reckless disregard for arithmetic and the inde­ pendence of critical government institu­ the flow of passengers, the public will ment is encouraging them to borrow tions. Together, they have placed the na­ wind up with thé bill. more.” tion at growing risk of sliding into a fi­ To villagers who have been shoved off Staying current on that debt requires nancial crisis. their land to make way for the new air­ that foreign investors continue to en­ In a global economy increasingly port, the project has become a monu­ trust funds to TUrkey — an increasingly plagued by worries — like an unfolding ment to their worst fears. “Erdogan is questionable proposition. trade war and higher oil prices — Tur­ watching out for his own people,” said TUrkey could attract money by con­ Bora Dayilar, a farmer whose grazing tinuing to lift interest rates, already at key may present the most immediate land was subsumed by the project. “We cause for alarm. The country’s presi­ 17.75 percent. But that would depress are left with nothing.” dent, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has economic growth and end the festivities Fears of disaster may seem out of dominated national life for 15 years, was for the real estate and construction in­ place in an economy that remains one of ' sworn in again on Monday following a dustries. the fastest growing on earth, having ex­ re-election victory that came with ex­ Or TUrkey could continue the growth panded 7.4 percent last year. traordinary new powers. He has party while watching inflation mount as But that growth has been fed by po­ wielded his influence to deliver relent­ the lira sinks further. That might con­ tentially unsustainable borrowing, both demn crucial corporations to insolvency less economic growth through unre­ public and private. and perhaps force the government to strained borrowing, lifting debt levels to The government has been subsidizing seek a rescue from the International alarming heights. And the additional au- vast infrastructure projects like the air­ Monetary Fund, a course that would ' thority he has been granted is expected port and a $13 billion, 28-mile-long canal to further test the limits of economic re­ surely entail painful spending cuts. ality. linking the Black Sea to the Sea of Mar­ “TUrkey could be the next country to In a sign of unease among global in­ mara. And many businesses have bor­ disintegrate,” said Marie Owens Thom­ vestors, the value of Turkey’s currency, rowed in foreign currencies, which sen, global chief economist at Indosuez means their debt burdens have risen as Wealth Management in Geneva. “It has the lira, has plunged roughly one-fifth the lira has surrendered value. this year, raising prices for households all the ingredients of the beginning of a Major Turkish companies are now failed state.” and businesses alike. It dropped some more on Monday, as Mr. Erdogan trying to persuade banks and other Some of Turkey’s problems reflect the troubles assailing emerging markets in handed the job of economic chief to his creditors to extend relief, perhaps por­ general. As the Fed raises interest rates son-in-law, in what markets construed tending a wave of bankruptcies that as a sign that he does not intend to adopt could leave financial institutions and in the United States, investors have a more responsible mode of stewardship taxpayers staring at untold losses. As of been pulling money out of developing anytime soon. the end of April, Turkish private sector nations like Argentina, Mexico and Tur­ The airport — its first phase is to open companies owed more than $245 billion key while betting on the dollar. That has in October — has been brought to life in foreign debt, or nearly one-third the pushed down the value of emerging with heaps of public money delivered to size of the country’s overall economy. market currencies. construction companies closely tied to “That’s a huge number,” said Selva But TUrkey stands out as a uniquely Mr. Erdogan. The government has be­ Demiralp, an economist who previously vulnerable economy, given its unortho­ stowed upon them guarantees against worked at the Federal Reserve bank in dox financial stewardship. any losses. If, as many economists ex­ Washington and now teaches at Koc Ever since a failed coup d’état that pect, the airport proves grander than University in Istanbul. “And the govern­ sought to topple him two years ago, Mr.

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Erdogan has opened the credit taps to ensure continued economic growth. The central bank has sought to restrain growth, lifting rates to stabilize the lira and contain inflation. This has provoked the wrath of the president. Mr. Erdogan has claimed that infla­ tion is actually the result of high interest rates, which is not unlike asserting that chemotherapy causes cancer. Before the elections, he threatened to assume control of Turkey’s central bank and to abolish high rates. Investors took that as further impetus to flee, pushing the lira down to record lows. The central bank halted the rout by lifting rates yet again. By then, though, its integrity had been severely damaged. “Everyone is in crisis right now,” said Can Oz, owner of a book and magazine publishing house in Istanbul, Can Pub­ lishing. “It’s all around us. Everyone who has the slightest intellect and knowledge of the economy knows this. But the government is hiding it.” “Everyone is in crisis right now,” said Can Oz, owner of a book and magazine publishing house in Istanbul, Can Publishing. “It’s all around us.” Can Publishing’s profits have dropped as the decline in the lira has forced the company to pay more for pa­ per from Finland and glue from Ger­ terést rates were climbing. The compa­ oculated against the chaos around him. many. “Our marginshave been cut dra­ ny’s monthly debt payments had risen Still, his company is not unscathed. matically,” Mr. Oz said. by almost 50 percent, to 6 million lira. At Some 60 percent of his revenue comes Inside Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, a lab­ the same time, Makro’s revenue from selling used cars after leases are yrinth of shops selling jewelry, carpets plunged as discount grocery chains en­ complete. With inflation rampant and and antiques, merchants complain that tered the market. With its debt pay­ anxiety pervasive, Mr. Ak must discount they must pay rent in dollars or euros ments on track to spike this year to the vehicles to find buyers. Last year, In­ even as they collect lira for their sales. nearly 9 million lira per month, Makro tercity lost money. Their rent is effectively going up while filed for a court-supervised debt re­ In Yenikoy, a village near the new air­ sales decline, in part because of a severe structuring. It recently emerged with an port, the sense, of crisis has been build­ dip in tourism after a spate of terrorist agreement that has it paying off its bank ing since Mr. Erdogan unveiled the attacks. “The Turkish lira is like ice in debts by selling real estate assets, while project, chasing the dream of turning hot weather,” said Zéki Uckardes, who gaining debt forgiveness from suppliers. the city into a global airline hub to rival sells scarves from a stall inside the ba­ How business will fare may depend London and Dubai. zaar. “The second you take it out, it on what it learned the last time Turkey Earth movers now tear at the pale soil starts to melt.” faced such challenges. alongside the Black Sea, constructing The most vulnerable companies are In 2001, when TUrkey absorbed a cri­ the bigger airport. Mr. Dayilar and the those that have borrowed in foreign cur­ sis so severe that it sought help from the other villagers of Yenikoy sit in the way. rencies. International Monetary Fund, Vural Ak Mr. Dayilar applied for a security job Four years ago, Makro, a national nearly lost his company, Intercity, which at the new airport, but was turned down chain of supermarkets, decided to pur­ supplies leased cars. In those days, Mr. for not having completed middle school. sue an aggressive expansion. It bor­ Ak, Intercity’s founder and chief execu­ He applied for a cleaning job but had rowed 200 million lira, then worth about tive, paid for European cars in European heard nothing. “God help us,” Mr. Dayi­ $88 million, from seven Turkish banks, currencies, while collecting his reve­ lar said. “I’m unemployed. I don’t know agreeing to interest rates of about 18 nues in lira. When the lira plunged, he what I’m going to do.” • percent. In a bid to limit its debt burden, was nearly wiped out. it borrowed an additional $12 million in The lesson stuck. In recent years, as United States dollars, taking advantage Mr. Ak has expanded Intercity into a of dollar loans at only 5 percent interest. company with a fleet of 50,000 vehicles, he has insisted on pricing his leases in euros to match the loans he takes out to “Turkey could be the next buy new models. His competitors have country to disintegrate. It has borrowed in dollars and euros, too, but all the ingredients of the take in lira. Many have come knocking, beginning of a failed state.” he said, in hopes that he will buy them and spare them from their unavoidable fate: liquidation. The company began opening new In an office the size of an airport stores and hiring more workers. But by lounge, the floor-to-ceiling windows the middle of 2017, the lira had lost more lined with toy trucks, Mr. Ak exuded the than one-third its value and Turkish in- satisfaction of someone seemingly in­

7 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti Courrier n° 1444 du 5 au 11 juillet 2018

chef des Gardiens de la révolution, le général Yahya Rahim Safaoui, et l’ancien chef des bassidjis, ont Iran Lorsque indirectement critiqué Rohani. Enfin, de nombreux faucons au sein du clergé en ont publique­ ment fait de même, tout en expri­ le Bazar gronde mant leur soutien au Bazar. Mais à en croire d’autres ana­ lystes, le Bazar exprime les Quand ce haut lieu de la vie sociale et économique de l’Iran manifeste son mécontentement, tout peut Quinze iours arriver, estime l’éditorialiste iranien Amir Taheri. à Rohani pour proposer une nouvelle politique.

préoccupations de toute la société —Asharq Al-Awsat Cohésion sociale. De même, le règne du fils et successeur de celui- iranienne face aux difficultés (extraits) Londres Grand Bazar joue un rôle essen­ ci, Mohammad Reza Chah [1919- économiques et à la répression. tiel dans la cohésion sociale du 1979], l’attitude du bazar avait été Des craintes semblables avaient e Grand Bazar de Téhéran pays, à travers plus de cinq cents plutôt bienveillante, au moins au provoqué d’énormes manifesta­ est resté fermé le 25 juin associations de bienfaisance qui début. Mais, à partir de 1978, les tions l’hiver dernier. Là encore, un pour la deuxième journée reposent sur son soutien financier. choses ont évolué vers une franche certain nombre d’éléments vont Lde suite. Et dans d’autres villes,Il est également lié à un nombre hostilité envers la dynastie pahlavi. dans le sens d’une telle analyse, notamment Ispahan, Mechhed, incalculable de confréries sou- C’est ainsi que le Bazar a contri­ à commencer par le fait que les Bandar Abbas, Kerman et Tabriz, fies. On peut citer le mouvement bué, y compris financièrement, à la médias officiels du pays ne qua­ les commerçants ont organisé des Al-Qaïmiya, qui a près d’un mil­ révolution et à la prise de pouvoir lifient pas ces manifestations de actions symboliques semblables lion et demi de membres dans le de l’ayatollah Khomeyni. “perfide complot des services du en solidarité avec leurs confrères seul grand Téhéran et qui fait une Aujourd’hui, le Grand Bazar ne renseignement sioniste et amé­ de la capitale. Ce n’est pas une démonstration de son pouvoir déborde plus d’enthousiasme pour ricain” comme ils ont l’habitude mince affaire. La dernière fois que d’influence chaque année à l’oc­ le régime khomeyniste, même s’il de le faire depuis 1979. Certains cela s’est produit avec une telle casion de [la fête de l’Achoura, en ne fait pas preuve d’une hostilité médias prétendent que ces mani­ ampleur, c’était lors du soulève­ ouverte. Il faut donc se demander festations sont le fait d’agents pro­ ment contre le chah, qui a abouti si les événements actuels repré­ vocateurs et de saboteurs, mais à la révolution de 1979. Pas seulement un sentent une saute d’humeur pas­ personne ne suggère un lien avec Le Grand Bazar de Téhéran, ce lieu de commerce, sagère ou la perte durable d’un des des organisations de l’opposition sont plus de quarante allées reliées le Grand Bazar principaux bastions du régime. en exil, des [nostalgiques du chah] entre elles, d’une longueur totale représente tout En Iran, les apparences sont ou des partis marxistes. de 10,6 kilomètres. Il se divise toujours trompeuses. C’est pour­ Une seule chose est certaine : en vingt sections, chacune étant un mode de uie. quoi il est possible que les pro­ le Grand Bazar dispose de solides réservée à un commerce particu­ testations actuelles résultent en moyens pour mobiliser le peuple lier, de l’alimentation à l’orfèvre­ commémoration des martyrs du réalité d’une lutte de pouvoir au et pour organiser des démons­ rie, en passant par les marchands chiisme], en organisant plus de sein même du pouvoir. Ce serait trations de force dans la rue. de tapis. Ainsi, on y trouve tout ce cinq cents défilés de deuil dans alors quelqu’un de proche du Celui qui provoque Tire du Bazar qu’il faut pour couvrir les besoins tous les quartiers de Téhéran. guide suprême [ultraconserva- commet une énorme bêtise en d’une ville comme Téhéran, avec Au-delà de la capitale, elle entre­ teur], Ali Khamenei en personne, sous-estimant le danger que cela ses plus de 15 millions d’habitants. tient un réseau d’associations qui orchestrerait les manifesta­ peut représenter. Mais ce n’est pas seulement régionales à travers tout le pays, et tions, dans le but d’affaiblir le gou­ —Amir Taheri un lieu de commerce. Le Grand en cas de besoin, elle peut mobili­ vernement [du Premier ministre Publié le 27 juin Bazar représente tout un mode ser des personnes en provenance modéré] Hassan Rohani. de vie. Il renferme six mosquées, de centaines de villes et de mil­ Une série d’éléments accré­ trente hôtels, plus de vingt banques, liers de villages. Enfin, et surtout, ditent cette thèse. Premièrement, des bureaux, neuf instituts reli­ le Grand Bazar donne du travail, des faucons au sein du conseil gieux, treize écoles primaires et directement ou indirectement, à islamique ont signé un texte qui secondaires, deux théâtres et une plus de six cent mille Iraniens. propose de donner quinze jours à “maison de la force” (zurkhana en L’origine du Grand Bazar Rohani pour proposer une nou­ persan), où des hommes forts - réels remonte à près de quatre cents ans, velle politique, faute de quoi il ou supposés - pratiquent la lutte à l’époque des premiers Séfavides. devra se soumettre à un vote de traditionnelle et la musculation. Toutefois, sous le règne du fon­ confiance au Parlement. Les commerçants du Grand dateur de la dynastie des Pahlavi, Selon eux, il a perdu l’aura Bazar contribuent également Reza Chah [1878-1944], le Grand nécessaire pour gouverner le en grande partie au financement Bazar a adopté une attitude critique pays depuis que Donald Trump du clergé chiite. Sans cette res­ envers le projet de modernisation a rompu l’accord nucléaire signé source, les religieux chiites n’au­ du régime, qui voulait limiter l’in­ avec l’ancien président américain raient pu conserver leur place à fluence des religieux et promou­ Barack Obama. travers l’histoire iranienne, riche voir le commerce et les entreprises Deuxièmement, de hauts res­ en tempêtes et bouleversements. selon le modèle européen. Sous le ponsables militaires, dont l’ancien

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n° 1444 du S au 11 juillet 2018 Le plus étrange, c’est que celle- Courrierinternational - ’1 * J ci n’est peut-être pas aussi impor­ “A mort tante qu’on le suppose. La rumeur Depuis 2013, année de l’élec­ veut que 30 milliards de dollars la Palestine” Pasencore tion du président Hassan Rohani, soient sortis du pays au printemps, l’économie iranienne s’est amé­ mais il n’y a aucune preuve. Ce Ce slogan inédit une liorée dans l’ensemble. Le rial chiffre énorme repose peut-être chez les manifestants a repris une partie de sa valeur sur une mauvaise compréhension iraniens fait réagir révolution par rapport au dollar et s’échange d’une estimation par le FMI des souvent à 40 000 contre 1. L’Iran fonds qui se trouvent hors du pays ce site égyptien. Les troubles que connaît détenait un excédent sain l’année - parce qu’il faut du temps pour l’Iran sont le fait d’une dernière, rapporte le Guardian, qui que le pétrole soit payé -, mais qui minorité de privilégiés cite à ce propos l’économiste Bijan reviendront. Il est possible que la —Al-Bawaba News Khajehpour : “L’Iran avait un excé­ crise soit en partie provoquée par Le Caire lésés par la chute dent de 17 milliards de devises l’an­ un malentendu. du rial face au dollar. née dernière : ses exportations non L’éminent économiste iranien ’Iran n’a jamais soutenu pétrolières se sont montées à 47 mil­ Djavad Salehi-Isfahani déplore les Palestiniens, mais a liards de dollars et il a vendu pour que l’Iran autorise le transfert de exploité leur cause et en a —The Iranian Washington 55 milliards de pétrole.” fonds à l’étranger bien plus libre­ Lfait son fonds de commerce afin de L’effondrement que connaît la ment que d’autres pays, comme s’implanter dans les pays arabes a manifestation qui s’est monnaie iranienne face au dollar l’Inde, qui est pourtant beaucoup et de pouvoir réaliser ses projets déroulée le 24 juin au depuis quelques mois est d’origine mieux intégrée à l’économie mon­ expansionnistes. Certes, il y a les Grand Bazar de Téhéran politique, et non économique. Il diale. Le laxisme iranien (à savoir fameuses brigades Al-Quds ira­ Lest à plus d’un égard le contrairen’y a aucune raison objective pour une trop grande liberté écono­ niennes [brigades de Jérusalem], du mouvement de protestation qu’un rial vaille deux fois moins mique accordée aux détenteurs de mais les crises en Irak, en Syrie et qui a éclaté dans les petites villes de dollars aujourd’hui qu’il y a un capitaux) contribue au problème. au Yémen montrent que celles-ci du pays en janvier. Elle réunissait an. Ceci s’explique probablement n’ont pas été créées pour affron­ des Iraniens privilégiés, comme les par le manque de crédits accor­ Œufs en dollar. De toute façon, ter Israël, mais pour tromper les personnes qui vendent des smart­ dés à l’Iran par les pays arabes du comme on ne paie pas ses œufs chiites et créer des rixes avec les phones à la classe moyenne et les Golfe et le retrait de Trump de en dollar en Iran, la multiplica­ Arabes. Ni le transfert de l’am­ membres de celle-ci. l’accord sur le nucléaire conclu en tion par deux de la valeur de celui- bassade américaine en Israël de Ces deux mouvements n’annon­ 2015 sous les auspices des Nations ci par rapport au rial n’affecte pas Tel-Aviv à Jérusalem ni la pour­ cent pas l’imminence d’une révo­ unies. En projetant de réimpo­ la plupart des gens. En revanche, suite de la politique israélienne lution. Pourquoi ne peut-il pas y ser unilatéralement des sanc­ les marchands du Grand Bazar de judaïsation de la ville n’ont avoir en Iran de manifestations tions contre l’Iran d’ici à début qui achètent des smartphones à fait réagir ces milices. comme dans n’importe quel autre novembre, Trump a poussé de l’étranger et les revendent sur le Des extraits d’une vidéo cir­ nombreuses grandes entreprises, marché iranien plongent s’ils ne culant sur les réseaux sociaux Depuis 2013, entre autres les français Total et doublent pas leurs prix en rial, ce montrent des manifestants PSA et le russe Lukoil, à annuler qui risque de nuire à leur activité. iraniens scandant “mort à la l’économie iranienne leurs projets d’investissement. D’où cette manifestation, que le Palestine”. Certains ont immé­ s’est améliorée Même si la Chine se précipite gouvernement a calmée en promet­ diatement expliqué que c’était dans l’ensemble. pour combler le vide, la pers­ tant de dédommager les importa­ une manipulation des services pective du renouvellement des teurs de téléphone. secrets iraniens, destinée à ternir pays (il n’y a que moi qui suive les sanctions n’en crée pas moins La manifestation a en outre été l’image des manifestants, qui actualités françaises?) sans que les une énorme incertitude. marquée par des slogans contre apparaissent ainsi comme des experts de Washington y voient le La population iranienne s’ef­ la politique du gouvernement en agents israéliens et américains. signe que le gouvernement est au force donc aujourd’hui d’acheter Syrie [et le soutien à la cause pales­ Or ce ne sont pas les premières bout du rouleau? Personne n’aime des dollars et d’envoyer des capi­ tinienne] et le fait qu’il y dépense manifestations du genre. D’autres, le régime iranien, mais analyser, taux à l’étranger pour les mettre à de l’argent au lieu de le dépenser semblables, ont déjà eu lieu à la ce n’est pas défendre. Je sais qu’à l’abri de la dépréciation de la mon­ dans le pays. Cette manifestation fin de l’année 2017. On n’y a pas l’époque de Donald Trump, le vœu naie iranienne que causeront les était tout ce qu’il y a de plus normal. entendu ce slogan, mais d’autres pieux constitue l’analyse politique sanctions. Ironie du sort, ces agis­ Elle n’avait rien de révolutionnaire. demandant la fin de l’interven­ dans les cercles du pouvoir, mais sements ne font qu’affaiblir le rial —Juan Cole tionnisme du régime en dehors des le reste de la population n’a pas à face au dollar et donc aggraver la Publié le 26juin frontières et l’utilisation des mil­ tout avaler. fuite des capitaux. liards qu’il gaspille dans des guerres régionales pour l’amélioration de la situation économique interne. À Ramallah, le porte-parole du Fatah palestinien, Oussama THE IRANIAN______Al-Qawasmi, a réagi : “Est-ce Washington, États-Unis______que les Iraniens pensent réelle­ iranian.com______ment que leur gouvernement a Crée en 1995, The Iranian est un déboursé le moindre argent pour site généraliste iranien en anglais, les Palestiniens?” Et d’ajouter : basé aux États-Unis et destiné “Nous n’avons jamais vu l’Iran à la diaspora iranienne. Le site contribuer à la construction d’une est lié au Conseil national irano- seule école, université, hôpital ou américain, une organisation autre projet de développement.” qui apporte son soutien aux —Jihane Mustapha Iraniens établis aux États-Unis. Publié le 30 juin 9 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

FranceSoir 5 JUILLET 2018 100% NUMÉRIQUE • L'INFO CONTINUE H1 if Syrie: les forces pro-kurdes face aux ambitions d'Erdogan et Assad

Matteo Puxton, édité par Maxime Macé. / 05 Juillet 2018 http://www.francesoir.fr

La frontière turco-syrienne est une zone de tensions particulièrement importantes où se mêlent des intérêts très divergents. Matteo Puxton, agrégé d'Histoire, spécialiste des questions de défense et observateur de référence du conflit irako-syrien, présente en partenariat avec "France-Soir", le conseil mil­ itaire de Manbij, composante des Forces Le Conseil militaire de Manbij doit faire face aux pressions de la démocratiques syriennes, qui tente de résis­ Turquie et du régime de Damas. ©DR ter aux ambitions turques et à la pression du syriens de la poche d'Azaz, au nord d'Alep, tente d'aider ces derniers régime de Damas. àchasser l'EI de l'est de la province d'Alep, où se trouve Manbij.

La ville elle-même est encerclée dès la fin mai par les FDS et l'assaut sur la e conseil militaire de Manbij, ville commence le 31 mai, mené par le CMM, avec un fort soutien aérien Lcréée en avril 2016 par les Forces américain. Selon les Etats-Unis, l'organisation conduit la bataille avec 2. démocratiques syriennes (FDS) alors 000 combattants, appuyés par 500 Kurdes de l'YPG, et des forces spéciales sur le point d'investir la ville, américaines dont certains membres portent l'écusson de la milice kurde. témoigne surtout de la manière dont Un commandant du CCM donne le chiffre de 60% de combattants arabes les Kurdes de l'YPG ont su créer des et 40% de combattants kurdes. Un journaliste présent à Kobané au unités non-kurdes dans cette coali­ moment de la bataille a plutôt l'impression que les Kurdes supportent, en tion voulue par les Américains, et qui fait, le gros de la bataille. La vidéo de l'Etat mise en ligne début août 2016 ont en réalité très peu d'indépen­ montre d'ailleurs davantage l'YPG. dance face à l'YPG. Le conseil militaire de Manbij perd son chef, Faysal Abou Layla, tué par un Le conseil militaire de Manbij (CMM) sniper. Il est remplacé par Adnan Abou Amjad. La ville est libérée après est une coalition établie le 2 avril deux mois de combat, le 12 août, et l'YPG annonce en avoir retiré ses com­ 2016 près du barrage de Tishreen, sur l'Euphrate, au sein des FDS. Le CMM battants quelques semaines plus tard. Le 14 août, un Conseil militaire d'a- est formée de cinq unités arabes et une turkmène, notamment de Kataib Bab est créé, en vue de la libération de cette ville située au sud-ouest de Sams as-Shamal (arabe), dont le commandant adjoint devient le comman­ Manbij. Mais la Turquie déclenche l'opération Bouclier de l'Euphrate moins dant militaire du CMM, et Liwa al-Salajaka (turkmène). de dix jours plus tard, bloquant la route aux FDS.

Parmi les autres formations du groupe, le Bataillon des Révolutionnaires ébut mars 2017, alors que les Turcs et leurs alliés rebelles ont pris al- de Manbij (BRM), qui apparaît aussi à ce moment-là, et qui recrute dans la DBab à l'Etat islamique et se dirigent vers Manbij, s'escarmouchant avec communauté turkmène de Manbij. Les Kurdes de l'YPG, qui constituent les FDS, le conseil militaire de Manbij, après un accord négocié avec la l'ossature des FDS, veulent en effet que ce soient des forces locales qui Russie, cède certains villages proches de la ville au régime syrien, ce qui s'emparent de la ville de Manbij, tenue par l'Etat islamique au-delà de stoppe les attaques turques et rebelles. Le chef du Bataillon des l'Euphrate. Le conseil militaire de Manbij est mal vu par la Turquie, qui à la Révolutionnaires de Manbij, Ahmad Arsh, apparaît à cette occasion en uni­ même époque, en armant et en soutenant avec son artillerie les rebelles forme de la police des frontières du régime syrien sur Russia Today. Les Américains augmentent leur présence militaire à Manbij pour montrer leur soutien au CCM et aux FDS, déployant des Humvees et des véhicules blin­ dés Stryker du 75th Ranger Regiment.

De son côté, la Turquie justifie alors par l'histoire ottomane la récupération de la ville de Manbij. Le 20 mars, le conseil militaire de Manbij libère, lors d'une amnistie, 22 habitants locaux qui avaient servi l'EI et avaient été cap­ :—~-^r turés pendant la bataille de Manbij en 2016. Afrin Zone "Euphrates Shield" (armée (armée turque ♦ rebelles) turque ♦ rebelles) O En avril 2017, le CCM envoie 200 combattants épauler les FDS qui combat­ tent dans la ville de Tabqa, au sud-ouest de Raqqa. Un reportage de jour­ naliste local explique que les Kurdes du PKK venus des monts Qandil, en Régime syrien et alliés Irak, contrôlent tous les organes importants à Manbij. En outre, ils colla­ Poche V rebelles + \ AlcDD° borent avec le régime, jusqu'à pratiquer l'échange de renseignements. djihadistes Z Comme ailleurs dans le Rojava (Kurdistan syrien), le régime continue d'as­ sumer financièrement les services publics en échange d'un contrôle ou d'un droit de regard sur des organes clés, comme le renseignement. Le Source : https://syria.liveuamap.com/ journaliste accuse également les Kurdes de vider les silos de grain de =>

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■=> la ville et de démonter certaines installations pour rééquiper Kobané ravagée par les combats.

L'Ayasish, la police militaire kurde, contrôle Manbij, avec seulement 30% d'Arabes (50% dans la police routière). Le renseignement kurde règne en maître, dirigé par un vétéran des monts Qandil, Dalii. Il commence à tra­ quer les personnes suspectées d'être favorables aux rebelles syriens appuyés par les Turcs. Une source pro-rebelle raconte que l'YPG livre les déserteurs des forces armées syriennes à la branche du renseignement militaire d'Alep.

En juin, les combattants du conseil militaire de Manbij sont sur le front au sud de Raqqa. Fin août, les Américains s'escarmouchent avec les rebelles pro-turcs autour de Manbij, alors qu'ils entraînent les combattants du CCM en parallèle. Pour Kyle Orton, la formation est le parfait exemple de Académie militaire du CMM. La présentation générale, avec façade à travers lequel l'YPG exerce une domination sans partage sur un les drapeaux, les posters des "martyrs" rappellent fortement les territoire non-majoritairement peuplé de Kurdes. Le 29 août, le groupe camps du PKK ou de l'YPG. perd son chef militaire, Adnan Abou Amjad, tué au combat à Raqqa con­ tre l'El. Il est remplacé en septembre par Mohammad Mustafa Abou Adel. Son adjoint est Sheikh Ibrahim Binawi. et des environs. Le 2 juin, le comité de l'Intérieur assouplit la législation sur les véhicules du 28 février précédent, qui interdisait l'achat de En novembre, les sheikhs tribaux de Manbij et des alentours protestent véhicules dans les zones rurales ou les faubourgs de Manbij pour les faire auprès des FDS au regard de la politique de conscription forcée que les entrer ensuite dans la ville. Le 3 juin les veuves des "martyrs" du CMM for­ Kurdes tentent d'introduire depuis le mois d'octobre; peu après le ment un syndicat. Le 9 juin, deux IED explosent dans Manbij, l'un sur le recrutement est réorganisé sur la base du volontariat. Les Kurdes ont square principal, l'autre près de l'hôpital. Le 13 juin, un IED explose sur la essayé de faire passer l'idée de la conscription via Kataib Shams al- route menant à Alep, blessant une petite fille. L'explosif était placé dans Shamal, sans succès. Ils doivent relâcher un chef tribal arrêté pour avoir un sac poubelle sur le bord de la route. Le 20 juin, la formation filme les protesté. Ce même mois le véhicule du chef du conseil militaire de Manbij patrouilles militaires turques à portée visuelle des positions avancées de est visé par un IED (engin explosif improvisé). ses combattants. Le 1er juillet, une vidéo du conseil militaire de Manbij filme une mission de réconciliation avec le clan Bani Said. n janvier 2018, les Etats-Unis réaffirment leur volonté de coopérer Eavec le conseil militaire de Manbij (qui disent-ils, esté 60% arabe, 40% Comme souvent en Syrie, les "martyrs" sont régulièrement honorés. Le 5 kurde...). Le CMM aurait bloqué l'envoi de renforts par l'YPG pour la juin 2018, le conseil militaire de Manbij commémore la mort de Faysal défense du canton d'Afrin, selon une source rebelle. Après la chute du Abou Leyla, tué pendant la libération de la ville deux ans plus tôt. canton d'Afrin en mars entre les mains de l'armée turque, la formation jure de défendre Manbij, désormais visée par la Turquie, coûte que coûte. a page Facebook défend aussi les positions politiques des FDS. Le 13 Fin mars, les forces de sécurité ouvrent le feu sur une manifestation pro­ juin, on peut voir des combattants originaires de Jaraboulous, faisant régime organisée par des forces tribales autour de Manbij. Le 23 mars, L partie du conseil militaire de Manbij, témoigner pour affirmer qu'ils veu­ Sharfan Darwish, le porte-parole du conseil militaire de Manbij (Kurde de lent reprendre la ville aux mains des Turcs depuis 2016 et l'opération Manbij), est blessé lors d'une attaque sur la route Manbij-Alep. Le 30 mars, un soldat américain et un soldat britannique des forces spéciales sont tués par l'explosion d'un IED lors d'une opération anti-Etat isla­ mique à Manbij. L'YPG, après un accord américano-turc en juin, devrait finalement retirer ses effectifs de Manbij.

L'emblème du conseil militaire de Manbij comporte un bouclier jaune (qui rappelle l'écusson de manche de l'YPG), encadré de deux fusils d'as­ saut AK-47; au-dessus du bouclier est écrit "Conseil militaire", et dans le bouclier "Manbij" et la date de fondation, 2016. L'arrière-plan avec les rayons fait penser à l'emblème de Kataib Sams as-Shamal, qui est à l'o­ rigine du CMM et lui donne son premier chef.

Le conseil militaire de Manbij a un site Internet, une page Facebook, une chaîne Youtube. Le porte-parole du groupe Sharfan Darwish a un compte Twitter.

Les différents réseaux sociaux listés ci-dessous ont une publication abon­ Dans l'académie militaire, poster des deux premiers com­ dante (en particulier la page Facebook), ce qui dénote une branche mandants du CMM, tués au combat: Faysal Abou Leyla à média bien organisée. Si les emblèmes de l'YPG n'apparaissent jamais droite, et Adnan Abou Amjad à gauche. sur celle-ci, on observe toutefois que le conseil militaire de Manbij calque sa position sur les FDS dominées par les Kurdes. Les montages vidéos, en particulier, et notamment les camps d'entraînement de la formation, Bouclier de l'Euphrate. Le 19 juin, une vidéo montre l'association des témoignent de l'influence de l'YPG dans leur présentation générale et Turkmènes de Manbij rejeter l'occupation turque de la Syrie et celle de leur fonctionnement. Le CMM est à l'évidence largement sous l'influence Manbij. de la branche syrienne du PKK. Le 23 juin, le CMM publie les photos de la visite du général américain Le conseil militaire de Manbij semble tenir une réunion mensuelle avec Votel, commandant du CENTCOM, deux jours plus tôt. Une vidéo montre tous les acteurs locaux de la ville et de ses environs. Il rencontre fréquem­ un chef de tribu soutenir la formation dans sa volonté de défendre la ville ment l'administration civile, ainsi que la fondation pour les familles des contre la Turquie. Le 24 juin, la page Facebook relaie la justification par martyrs de Manbij. Un comité de l'Intérieur établit, par exemple, des cir­ le directeur du centre média des FDS à propos du couvre-feu établi la culaires pour l'Aïd. Le conseil militaire d'al-Bab, établi par les FDS avant veille à Raqqa. Le 25 juin, une vidéo montre une manifestation la reprise de la ville par l'armée turque et ses alliés rebelles en février dénonçant "l'occupation turque" en Syrie. Le 2 juillet, une vidéo du CMM 2017, reste basé à Manbij et publie régulièrement des communiqués via montre une délégation américaine en visite dans Manbij. la page Facebook du CMM. La page Facebook se plaît aussi à rapporter les trou blés dans la zone con­ La page Facecook relaie les nouvelles du quotidien de la ville de Manbij quise par l'opération turque Bouclier de l'Euphrate en Syrie. Le 17 ■=>

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■=> juin, le CMM rapporte des affrontements à al-Bab entre factions rebelles pro-turques, dont Ahrar al-Sharqiya, et d'autres entre Jaysh al- Islam et la division du Sultan Mourad au nord-ouest de Manbij. Le 23 juin, la page Facebook signale des affrontements entre les factions rebelles appuyées par la Turquie et Jaysh al-lslam à proximité de Manbij.

De ce que l'on voit des documents publiés par la page Facebook, les forces delà formation sont essentiellement des forces d'infanterie légère munies de l'invariable trio AK-47/AKM / PKM / RPG-7. On n'observe pas de véhicule. Le 2 juin, l'académie militaire du "martyr" Faysal Abou Leyla achève la formation d'une vague de 188 recrues, qui ont reçu pendant 15 jours un entraînement idéologique et militaire. Ce même jour, l'a­ cadémie du "martyr" Mahmoud Ali pour les forces de sécurité intérieures termine la formation d'un mois pour 90 recrues ayant reçu une instruc­ tion idéologiques et militaire. Le 12 juin, l'académie militaire du "martyr" Faysal Abou Leyla achève la formation d'un nouveau groupe de 220 recrues. Ces recrues viennent de Manbij mais aussi de Hasakah et Session d'entraînement dans une académie militaire du Shaddadi, et comprennent probablement un certain nombre de Kurdes. CMM. On compte plus de 170 recrues. La formation a duré 15 jours, elle a été idéologique et militaire. Le 29 juin, le quatrième régiment des martyrs du CMM, tout juste créé, est filmé durant une session d'entraînement. On remarque la présence de femmes combattantes. Une vue aérienne de la formation permet de compter plus de 170 hommes alignés en rangs. Le 30 juin, une vidéo montre un camp de formation pour les cadres, très calqué sur ceux de l'YPG kurde. La formation dure 45 jours dans une académie militaire installée par le CMM.

L'étude des documents produits par le Conseil militaire de Manbij, recoupée avec les analyses de spécialistes, permet d'apprécier l'influ­ ence de l'YPG kurde et du PKK sur cette structure. Elle est difficile à mesurer précisément, toutefois l'organisation de la branche média de la formation et ses académies militaires témoignent de l'encadrement fourni par l'YPG. Le CMM n'a pas l'intention d'abandonner Manbij aux Turcs, malgré le départ prévu, en théorie, des conseillers kurdes de l'YPG. De la même façon, le régime syrien entretient l'agitation qui lui est favorable dans la région. Le 24 juin dernier, une vidéo mise en ligne par Le 10 juin, deux "martyrs" du CMM sont enterrés à Manbij, un groupe inconnu jusqu'ici, la Résistance populaire à Manbij, proclame dont une femme. vouloir chasser l'occupant étranger de la région (Turquie, Etats-Unis et France sont nommés). Ce mouvement ressemble fort à celui né il y a quelques mois dans la province de Raqqa. Reste à savoir s'il est capable de faire autre chose que des vidéos de propagande: pour l'instant ce groupe n'a pas fait parler de lui. ♦

13 juillet 2016 Extraction de pétrole en Syrie qu'en est-il de l'accord conclu par Damas avec les Kurdes?

13.07.2018 // fr.sputniknews.com duction de pétrole en Syrie. vernement syrien comptait bientôt reprendre le n accord aurait été conclu par le gouverne­ «Les Kurdes extraient 50.000 barils par jour contrôle de l'ensemble du territoire, ce qui signi­ sur les sites d'al Rmeilan et d'al Jabsah, dans Ument de Bachar el-Assad avec les Kurdes de fierait le rétablissement du contrôle de Damas sur Syrie, concernant la production kurde de pétrole la province d'Hassaké», a précisé l'interlocu­ la totalité des champs pétroliers en Syrie. sur les sites d'al Rmeilan et d'al Jabsah, dans la teur de l'agence. Combattants des YPG province d'Hassaké au nord-est du pays, a déclaré On suppose toutefois qu'ils produisent illégale­ à Sputnik une source proche du dossier. ment bien plus de pétrole qu'ils ne veulent bien le Après la défaite des terroristes de Daech* en 2017, les Forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS), Il y a quelques mois, Damas aurait signé avec les déclarer. Kurdes un accord aux termes duquel ces derniers constituées essentiellement de formations La source a rappelé à cet effet qu'avant la guerre, armées kurdes, se sont emparées de plusieurs devraient redistribuer un tiers du pétrole brut 160.000 barils étaient produits chaque jour sur le extrait par leurs soins à la raffinerie d'Homs pour grands champs pétroliers dans la région située à site d'al Rmeilan, alors qu'à présent, il ne s'agirait l'est de l'Euphrate. Le gouvernement syrien a à les besoins du gouvernement syrien, tout en gar­ plus que de 38.000 barils par jour. Le rendement dant les deux tiers restants raffinés sur place pour plusieurs reprises averti qu'il comptait bien du site d'al Jabsah a ainsi mystérieusement chuté reprendre le contrôle de ces sites. • leurs propres besoins, a raconté à Sputnik une de 30.000 à 12.000 barils par jour. source très au fait de la situation relative à la pro- "■Organisation terroriste interdite en Russie L'interlocuteur de Sputnik a souligné que le gou­

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LE FIGARO lundi 9 juillet 2018 Le «sultan» Erdogan intronisé avec les pleins pouvoirs Recep Tayyip Erdogan prête serment, ce lundi, pour un nouveau mandat de cinq ans aux pouvoirs très élargis.

ANNEANDLAÙER ISTANBUL

TURQUIE Si la vie politique de Recep Tayyip Erdogan inspire, un jour, un jeu vidéo, certains lui ont déjà trouvé un nom : « Superdogan ». Depuis quelques semaines, les fans du chef de l’Étaf turc diffusent sur les réseaux sociaux une vi­ déo de deux minutes reprenant le décor d’une partie de Super Mario, la mascot­ te de Nintendo. Sous les traits du petit plombier, Recep Tayyip Erdogan fran­ chit un à un les obstacles (putschistes, militants kurdes, manifestants de Gezi...) pour conquérir, en fin de partie, le titré de Superdogan. Qu’on s’en réjouisse ou qu’on s’en dé­ sole, le superlatif s’impose. Dès qu’il aura prêté serment, lundi après-midi, Recep Tayyip Erdogan n’entamera pas Paré de son costume de superprési­ seulement un second mandat de prési­ Tayyip Erdogan, de même que les hauts magistrats, tous désignés, direc­ dent, Recep Tayyip Erdogan n’a aucunç dent. Il prendra les rênes d’un système raison de ne pas respecter sa promesse qui abolit 95 ans de tradition parlemen­ tement ou indirectement, depuis le pa­ lais présidentiel. de campagne: lever l’état d’urgence, taire dans la République de Turquie. Sa en vigueur depuis le coup d’État man­ victoire, dès le premier tour, aux élec­ « R n’y a plus, de séparation des pou­ voirs», résume encore Ismet Akça. Le qué du 15 juillet 2016. Il rassurera à peu tions du 24 juin précipite l’entrée en vi- de frais les investisseurs étrangers, gueur du « régime présidentiel » adopté chef du Parti d’action nationaliste (MHP), allié de Recep Tayyip Erdogan et puisque la Constitution l’autorise dé­ par référendum en avril 2017. sormais à émettre des décrets dans la Recep Tayyip Erdogan refuse d’em­ très large sphère de son pouvoir exécu­ ployer ce terme. Il appelle sa création WLa nation turque tif. La «lutte contre le terrorisme», « système du gouvernement de la prési­ nous a confié principale justification de deux années/ dence du peuple ». Derrière ce nom une lourde d’état d’urgence, pourra toujours être alambiqué, on chercherait en vain un renforcéé par des décrets présidentiels, équivalent aux États-Unis ou du côté responsabilité font valoir les officiels turcs, soucieux français. «C’est un système qu’on pour­ en faisant du MHP de ne pas froisser l’allié ultranationalis­ rait qualifier de “superprésidence”, au le parti clé au Parlement ,9 te, qui souhaitait un maintien dû régi­ sens où le chef de l’Etat concentre en sa me d’exception. personne l’essentiel du pouvoir sans mé­ DEVLET BAHÇELI, CHEF DU PARTI D'ACTION NATIONALISTE (MHP) C’est d’ailleurs la seule ombre qui canismes de contrôle», résume le poli­ pèse sur la victoire de Recep Tayyip tologue Ismet Akça. artisan de sa victoire, a semblé le Efdogan : dans la nouvelle législature, À compter de ce lundi, la Turquie n’a concéder au lendemain du double scru­ l’AKP ne dispose pas seul de la majorité plus de premier ministre. Recep Tayyip tin. « La nation turque nous a confié une Erdogan est à,la fois chef de l’État, de absolue (il compte 295 sièges sur 600). lourde responsabilité en faisant du MHP l’exécutif, des armées et du parti au Le président turc aura besoin du soutien le parti clé au Parlement et en nous don­ du MHP pour contrôler le Parlement, et pouvoir, le Parti de la justice et du dé­ nant la mission d’équilibre (dès pou­ veloppement (AKP). Le nouveau Parle­ pourrait avoir à céder devant ses lignes voirs) », a estimé Devlet Bahçeli. Plus ment, qui lui est largement acquis, n’a rouges. « Le pragmatisme extrême d’Er- limpide encore, cet extrait du discours aucun moyen de contrôler ce « super­ dogan, qui était autrefois capable de inaugural du député Durmus Yilmaz président », alors que ce dernier dis­ prendre une décision puis son contraire qui, en raison de son âge, officiait same­ pose du droit de dissolution. Pire, les deux mois plus tard, sera bridé par son députés abandonnent des prérogati­ di en tant que président par intérim du alliance avec le MHP, qui est beaucoup ves ; celle de censurer un/ministre ou le nouveau Parlement : « Les mécanismes plus rigide sur certains sujets, à com­ gouvernement, d’avoir le dernier mot de contrôle, qiii sont la conséquence na­ mencer par la question kurde », observe sur la loi de budget, de poser des ques­ turelle d’un système de séparation forte le politologue Ismet Akça. Comme lui, tions au chef de l’exécutif, de fixer les des pouvoirs, n’existent plus », a Consta­ de nombreux experts s’attendent à un critères de nomination dans la bureau­ té cet élu du Bon Parti (opposition na­ durcissement de la politique du prési­ cratie... Tous les hauts fonctionnaires tionaliste), par ailleurs ancien président dent, servie par l’exacerbation des thè­ devront désormais leur emploi à Recep de la Banque centrale. mes nationalistes. =>

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Encore sonnée par sa défaite, l’oppo­ publicain du peuple (CHP, social-dé­ s’enfonce dans les querelles internes. sition aurait une bonne raison de se res­ mocrate) pourrait mettre en danger Recep Tayyip Erdogan pourrait saisir saisir : les élections municipales prévues l’AKP dans les plus grandes villes, Is­ cette occasion et avancer la date du en mars 2019. S’il mobilise ses militants tanbul et Ankara. Au lieu de cela, depuis scrutin local. ■ et choisit bien ses candidats, le Parti ré­ le 24 juin, le premier parti d’opposition

LE FIGARO lundi 9 juillet 2018 Les grands chantiers du reis turc

Les élections municipales de l’économie turque va de mal en pis et Elles sont programmées dans neuf la récession guette. La monnaie natio­ mois, en mars 2019, et « ne seront pas nale, la livre, ne cesse de perdre de la avancées», assurent des proches de valeur face au dollar et à l'euro, le chô­ 15,4% Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Les mêmes qui, mage dépasse 10 % (20 % chez les il y a trois mois, juraient que les législa­ moins de 24 ans) et les prix s’envolent. Le taux tives et la présidentielle se tiendraient à Le taux d’inflation a atteint 15,4 % en d’inflation la date prévue, en novembre 2019... Le juin sur un an, un record depuis 2003. en juin sur un an, président turc a décrété la semaine « Tirer les taux d’intérêt et l’inflation un record depuis 2003 dernière la mobilisation dans les rangs vers le bas sera l’une de nos priorités », a de son parti. « Un marathon nous at­ répété jeudi dernier Binali Yildirim, qui tend», a-t-il dit à propos de ces muni­ perd son poste de premier ministre et cipales. L’AKP réalise traditionnelle­ devrait prendre prochainement la pré­ la transition sur un an. Le calcul est ment de moins bons scores aux scrutins sidence du Parlement. Tayyip Erdogan optimiste. locaux. C’est d’ailleurs l’une des rai­ aura désormais la haute main sur la po­ sons qui ont poussé Tayyip Erdogan à litique économique, et peut-être moné­ | La politique étrangère avancer la date des élections nationa­ * jamais la Turquie n’a eu de relations taire. Investisseurs et marchés atten­ les : un résultat décevant aux munici­ aussi tendues avec l’Occident. La ré­ dent de savoir si le président, ennemi pales aurait compliqué sa tâche à ia cente victoire de Tayyip Erdogan prou­ autoproclamé des taux d’intérêt, re­ présidentielle. Le chef de l’État devrait ve que ses électeurs ne lui en tiennent viendra sur l’indépendance de la Ban­ notamment se concentrer sur Istanbul pas rigueur... quand ils n’applaudissent que Centrale, comme il l’a laissé enten­ et Ankara. Les deux plus grandes villes pas, pour beaucoup, ses semonces ré­ dre pendant la campagne. Us guetteront turques lui sont acquises depuis 25 ans, gulières contre « l’hypocrisie » de aussi, ce lundi, l’annonce du nouveau mais elles ont toutes deux dit « non » à l’Europe et des États-Unis, qu’il accuse cabinet et le nom du nouveau ministre son régime présidentiel lors du réfé­ de l’Économie. de soutenir les ennemis de la Turquie rendum d’avril 2017. Les maires AKP '(PKK, disciples de l’imam Fethullah de ces mégapolés, ainsi que ceux Gülen...). Réaliste sur les chances (nul- La bureaucratie d’autres grandes villes, ont été écartés les) d’adhésion de son pays à l’UE pen­ Dans les institutions, la à l’automne dernier. Recep Tayyip Er­ dant ce nouveau mandat, Recep Tayyip transition du régime parle­ dogan doit désormais choisir avec soin Erdogan a exposé pendant la campagne mentaire en place depuis ses têtes d’affiche pour 2019... ou avant. sa vision de la politique étrangère, af­ neuf décennies vers un régi­ franchie de l’idéalisme de ses derniers me hyperprésidentiel ne se Raviver l’AKP premiers ministres : une Turquie forte fera pas du jour au lende­ Le président turc est un politicien militairement (l’industrie de l’arme­ main. D’autant que ces insti­ trop avisé pour ne pas voir le demi- ment turc connaît un éssor sans précé­ tutions subissent depuis échec subi par son parti aux dernières dent), capable d’affronter les menaces bientôt deux ans une purge législatives. L’AKP n’a obtenu que tout en devenant un acteur-clé dans sa aussi inédite que massive, région (Syrie, Irak, etc). Plus que 42,5 % des suffrages, son plus mauvais consécutive au putsch manqué de l’été jamais, chaque partenaire sera jugé à score en dix ans si l’on écarte les élec­ 2016 (plus de18600 fonctionnaires ont l’aune de la lutte d’Ankara contre le tions de juin 2015, où il avait perdu sa encore été limogés dimanche, comme «terrorisme». Les relations avec majorité absolue (récupérée cinq mois au moins 110 000 autres ces deux der­ Moscou, empreintes de ce pragmatis­ plus tard). Sa popularité s’érode no­ nières années). Des ministères - à me, continueront d’être une priorité tamment chez les jeunes et dans les commencer par celui du premier mi­ pour Recep Tayyip Erdogan. ■ centres urbains, où les cadres locaux nistre -, des secrétariats, des direc­ tendent à se reposer sur les acquis de tions... vont disparaître ou fusionner, seize ans de pouvoir. Les municipales d’autres institutions vont être créées... seront un premier test, mais la recon­ À tous les échelons de la bureaucratie, quête de l’électorat AKP des milliers de fonctionnaires atten­ sera un défi de longue ha­ dent une réaffectation et jouent des leine pour son leader in­ coudes pour un meilleur poste. Recep contesté. Tayyip Erdogan, qui choisit désormais tous les hauts fonctionnaires, fera en L’économie sorte de verrouiller la machine insti­ c’était une autre grande tutionnelle à son profit. Mais son allié raison derrière la convo­ ultranationaliste, dont il dépend au cation d’élections (très) Parlement, pourrait se montrer gour­ anticipées le 24 juin. De­ mand. Les autorités prévoient d’étaler puis plus d’un an, la santé

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lepomt.fr 9 juillet 2018 Erdogan, doté de pouvoirs renforcé, nomme son gendre aux Finances

Ankara (AFP) - 09/07/2018 http://www.lepoint.fr Le président turc Le président turc Recep Recep Tayyip Tayyip Erdogan a entamé Erdogan prie avec sa femme Emine lundi un nouveau mandat au palais prési­ de cinq ans avec des pou­ dentiel à Ankara, voirs renforcés, et dévoilé le 9 juillet 2018. Photo fournie par un gouvernement resserré la présidence au sein duquel il a confié à turque. ( Turkish son gendre le poste clé des President Office/AFP / KAY- Finances. HAN OZER )

. Erdogan, 64 ans, a prêté serment au Parlement, s'engageant notam­ Mment à préserver les principes de la Turquie laïque fondée par Mustafa Kemal Atatürk et à accomplir sa tâche en majorité des soldats et des policiers, qui ont d'une manière "impartiale". été limogées par un décret-loi présenté comme le dernier sous l'état d'urgence instauré au lende­ Au pouvoir depuis 2003, d'abord comme main du putsch manqué. Premier ministre puis président, M. Erdogan a été réélu le 24 juin, remportant l'élection prési­ "AUTOCRATIE INSTITUTIONNALISÉE" dentielle dès le premier tour avec 52,6 % des voix, loin devant ses concurrents. Dans le nouveau système, le poste de Premier ministre, occupé par Binali Yildirim, a été sup­ Après la prestation de serment, M. Erdogan a primé, et le chef de l'Etat détient désormais déposé une gerbe au mausolée d'Atatürk avant l'ensemble du pouvoir exécutif et pourra pro­ de présider une cérémonie au palais présidentiel, mulguer des décrets. inaugurant une nouvelle ère dans l'histoire mod­ erne de la Turquie avec le passage au système Le président turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan Il nommera également six des treize membres présidentiel, aux termes d'une révision constitu­ le 29 mai 2018 à Istanbul avec son gendre du Conseil des juges et procureurs (HSK), chargé tionnelle adoptée par référendum avec une Berat Albayrak, nommé lundi ministre de désigner et destituer le personnel du système marge étroite en avril 2017. des Finances. ( AFP / OZAN KOSE ) judiciaire.

Saluant "un nouveau début" pour la Turquie, il a "L'essentiel des pouvoirs seront concentrés entre promis, dans une apparente tentative d'apaiser ses mains, il n'y aura plus de Premier ministre et important déficit des comptes courants, en dépit presque aucune des procédures de contrôles et une société extrêmement polarisée, de servir d'une croissance solide. tous les Turcs. de contrepoids d'une démocratie libérale. En d'autres mots, la Turquie sera une autocratie Les marchés, qui redoutent des pressions de M. "Je ne suis pas seulement le président de ceux institutionnalisée", estime Marc Pierini, Erdogan sur la Banque centrale, semblent avoir chercheur à l'institut Carnegie Europe. qui ont voté pour moi, mais de l'ensemble des 81 mal accueilli la nomination de M. Albayrak aux millions" de Turcs, a-t-il déclaré. Finances, la livre turque chutant de plus de 2 % Lors des législatives qui se sont tenues en même dans la soirée face au dollar. SON GENDRE AUX FINANCES temps que la présidentielle, le parti islamo-con- servateur de M. Erdogan, l'AKP, a obtenu 295 Outre les ministres, M. Erdogan a nommé au sièges sur 600 et ne contrôle le Parlement que Dans la soirée, il a dévoilé un nouveau cabinet de poste de vice-président Fuat Oktay, un tech­ seize ministres (contre 26 actuellement), dont le grâce à son alliance avec les ultranationalistes du nocrate qui avait par le passé dirigé l'Agence MHP, qui comptent 49 élus. plus en vue est son gendre Berat Albayrak, qui turque de gestion des situations d'urgence s'est vu confier le portefeuille clé des Finances. (Afad). De nombreux experts craignent que cette alliance conduise à un durcissement de la poli­ Le ministère de la Défense a été attribué au chef L'accession de M. Erdogan à cette "hyperprési- d'état-major Hulusi Akar. Le chef de la diplo­ tique menée par M. Erdogan, notamment sur la dence" intervient près de deux ans après une question kurde. matie sortant Mevlut Cavusoglu a été reconduit. tentative de coup d'Etat, le 15 juillet 2016, menée par des militaires factieux et suivie de vastes Des dirigeants étrangers, comme le Vénézuélien Marié à la fille aînée de M. Erdogan, Esra, M. purges notamment au sein des forces armées, de Albayrak, 40 ans, qui occupait depuis 2015 le Nicolas Maduro et le Soudanais Omar el-Béchir la police et des administrations, avec l'arresta­ ou encore le Premier ministre russe Dmitri poste clé de ministre de l'Energie, a connu ces tion ou le limogeage de dizaines de milliers de dernières années une irrésistible ascension. Medvedev, ont assisté à la cérémonie, ainsi que personnes. le président bulgare Roumen Radev et le Sa nomination aux Finances survient dans un Premier ministre hongrois Viktor Orban. • La dernière vague de purges, annoncée © 2018 AFP contexte économique difficile avec une inflation dimanche, a touché plus de 18.000 personnes, élevée, une forte dévaluation de la monnaie et un

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Lellîonde DIMANCHE 8 - LUNDI 9 JUILLET 2018 L’opposition turque déchirée par sa défaite face à Erdogan La réélection du président a sonné le glas d’une alliance de circonstance

ISTANBUL - correspondante le cadre de l’« hyperprésidence » Avec 295 sièges cielle Anadolu. La rapidité avec la­ que M. Erdogan s’apprête à endos­ quelle Anadolu a publié les résul­ es lendemains sont diffici­ ser pleinement après sa presta­ sur 600 et l’appui tats ainsi que les scores dispropor­ les pour l’opposition au pré­ tion de serment, lundi 9 juillet. tionnés attribués à M. Erdogan, sident turc Recep Tayyip Er­ Ce jour marquera le début de de la droite crédité de 70 % des votes dé­ Ldogan, sonnée par ses piètres «lré’­ère Erdogan », dans la continuité ultranationaliste, pouillés dès 18 h 45 alors que les sultats lors du double scrutin - lé­ de « l’ère ottomane » et de « l’ère sel- l’AKPafait 180000 bureaux de vote avaient gislatif et présidentiel - du 24 juin. djoukide», selon Ibrahim Karagül, fermé à 17 heures, ont entretenu le Premier constat, l’alliance de cir­ l’éditorialiste du quotidien pro­ du Parlement doute sur le rôle joué par l’agence. constance formée par les partis gouvernemental Yeni Safak. Victo­ Les résultats sont surprenants. d’opposition - les républicains du rieux de la présidentielle avec une chambre Ainsi une bonne partie des voix CHP, les nationalistes du Bon 52,59 % des voix, loin devant son d’enregistrement perdues par le CHP sont allées au Parti, les islamistes du Parti de la rival, Muharrem Ince, le candidat Bon Parti, son allié de la droite félicité - afin de battre M. Erdogan du Parti républicain du peuple nationaliste aux législatives, dé­ dans les urnes, a cessé d’exister. (CHP, centre gauche), M. Erdogan a sultats étaient annoncés à la télé­ sormais présent au Parlement «Cette alliance électorale n’a plus toute latitude pour institutionna­ vision, Semra, une infirmière du avec 43 députés, ainsi qu’au Parti lieu d’être», a déclaré Aytun Çiray, liser son régime autocratique et quartier de Kadikôy, sur la rive de la démocratie des peuples le porte-parole du Bon Parti, qui poursuivre la «transformation ci­ asiatique d’Istanbul, est allée de­ (HDP, gauche pro-kurde), qui ob­ n’a pas exclu de coopérer au parle­ vilisationnelle» du pays. vant le siège du CHP dans l’espoir tient 67 sièges. ment avec le Parti de la justice et d’entendre les dirigeants. «Mu­ Muharrem Ince souhaitait que du développement (AKP, islamo- «Sans voix» harrem Ince n’a pasfait de déclara­ le HDP soit représenté au Parle­ conservateur) actuellement dirigé L’opposition ne lui fera pas om­ tion à l’attention des militants ce ment. Il fallait tout faire pour que par M. Erdogan. brage. Avec 146 sièges seulement, soir-là et Kemal Kiliçdaroglu était le parti pro-kurde, honni par les LÂKP a obtenu 295 sièges sur les le CHP reste le principal parti invisible», déplore-t-elle. islamo-conservateurs, franchisse 600 que compte le nouveau Par­ d’opposition mais il est faible et Semra, son frère ainsi que leur le seuil des 10 % nécessaires pour lement mais son score est en dé­ isolé. Le plus vieux parti de Tur­ mère âgée de 90 ans ont donné entrer à l’Assemblée nationale. Si­ clin de 7 % par rapport aux législa­ quie peine à tirer les leçons de sa leur voix à Muharrem Ince. Ils non, selon le système propor­ tives de novembre 2015. Ses résul­ défaite. Une lutte interne a surgi croyaient fermement, sinon à la tionnel en vigueur pour les légis­ tats sont en baisse dans 70 des 81 entre Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, son se­ défaite du candidat Erdogan, du latives, les voix du HDP seraient départements du pays. Soucieux crétaire général, et Muharrem moins à la tenue d’un second allées à 1ÂKP. de « corriger les erreurs », le nu­ Ince, le candidat malheureux à la tour. «Les résultats nous ont lais­ Le HDP a donc reçu les faveurs méro un turc a avancé la date du présidentielle. M. Ince et ses parti­ sés sans voix. Mon frère a eu une des «Turcs blancs » (laïcs et répu­ congrès annuel au 18 août. Il se sans réclament la tenue d’un con­ crise de hoquet si forte que nous blicains) des villes. En revanche, prépare aux élections municipa­ grès extraordinaire afin de pren­ avons dû appeler le médecin », ra­ ses scores ont baissé dans les ré­ les prévues pour mars 2019. dre la direction du parti, ce que re­ conte l’infirmière. gions à majorité kurde du sud-est Grâce aux 49 sièges remportés fuse M. Kiliçdaroglu. du pays par rapport à ceux obte­ par leurs alliés du Parti de l’action Amertume et mécontentement Parti chauvin nus lors des législatives de 2015. nationaliste (MHP, droite ultrana­ sont palpables chez les militants Une grande partie des opposants Contre toute attente, le MHP, le tionaliste), les islamo-conserva- du CHP, lesquels ne s’expliquent à M. Erdogan n’ont pas compris parti le plus chauvin de l’échi­ teurs gardent la haute main sur le toujours pas l’absence de réaction pourquoi, au soir du scrutin, les quier politique turc, a recueilli des Parlement, devenu une simple de la direction du parti au soir des résultats ont été diffusés à la télé­ voix parmi la population kurde. ■ chambre d’enregistrement dans élections. Au moment où les ré- vision par l’agence de presse offi­ MARIE JÉGO

Aff

Rahmane. Syrie: 18 morts dans l'explosion L'attentat n'a pas été revendiqué, mais M. Abdel Rahmane n'a pas exclu qu'il soit l'oeuvre du groupe Etat islamique (El), qui a souvent mené des attaques d'une voiture piégée dans l'est similaires. Beyrouth, 6 juilletl 2018 (AFP) L'organisation ultra-radicale a perdu de larges secteurs de la province de Deir Ezzor, frontalière de l'Irak, à la suite de deux assauts distincts menés d'un côté DIX-HUIT PERSONNES, dont 11 membres des Forces démocratiques par les forces gouvernementales, sur la rive ouest du fleuve Euphrate, et de syriennes (FDS), ont été tuées vendredi dans l'est de la Syrie dans l'ex­ l'autre par les FDS, sur la rive est. plosion d'une voiture piégée devant un siège de cette coalition de com­ Le groupe jihadiste maintient une présence dans des villages de l'est de la pro­ battants arabes et Kurdes soutenue par les Etats-Unis, a indiqué une vince de Deir Ezzor. ONG. Les FDS ont lancé début mai la dernière phase de leur offensive pour mettre "Un dirigeant et 10 membres des FDS ainsi que sept civils, dont trois enfants, fin à la présence de l'EI dans l'ensemble de cette région de Syrie. ont été tués par l'explosion d'une voiture piégée devant un siège des FDS à L'EI ne contrôle plus aucune ville en Syrie, mais il maintient quelques milliers Bsayra, une localité de l'est de la province de Deir Ezzor", a dit à l'AFP le direc­ de combattants dans des villages, localités et poches. • teur de l'Observatoire syrien des droits de l'Homme (OSDH), Rami Abdel

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______iaCroix 11 JUILLET 2018 La coalition au pouvoir fait pencher la Turquie vers l’extrême droite

Audrey Parmentier , le 11/07/2018 ancien membre. www.la-croix.com Certains Loups gris se sont dispersés dans différents groupuscules militaires proches de ecep Tayyip Erdogan, vainqueur de l’élec­ l’extrême droite. « La guerre autour des Kurdes tion présidentielle, a dévoilé son cabinet dépend de ces équipes spéciales, composées de Rministériel. professionnels ultra-violents. Le MHP les cha­ Son alliance avec le parti ultranationaliste peaute bien que ce soit un peu plus compliqué turc, le MHP, dirigé par Devlet Bahceli, lui per­ que cela », explique Étienne Copeaux. met de garder la main sur le parlement turc. Devlet Bahceli et Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Lundi 9 juillet, le président turc Recep deux habiles tacticiens Tayyip Erdogan a annoncé la composition de Peut-on parler d’un virage à droite dans la son gouvernement. S’il conserve quelques politique de Recep Tayyip Erdogan ? « Non, l’ar­ caciques de son parti de la justice et du dévelop­ rivée du MHP officialise simplement les posi­ pement, (AKP), deux nominations ont créé la tions de l’AKP déjà très nationalistes », répond surprise. Son gendre Berat Albayrak, ancien Étienne Copeaux. Cette coalition ne devrait pas ministre de l’énergie, a été propulsé au porte­ entraîner de grand changement politique mais feuille clé des finances et le général Hulusi Akar risque de bloquer les négociations, déjà au point a pris la direction du ministère de la défense. Devlet Bahceli (à gauche) et Recep Tayyip mort, avec le PKK (Parti des travailleurs du La part de risque de Recep Tayyip Erdogan à Ankara, le 27 juin 2018. / KAY- Kurdistan), groupe armé kurde qualifié d’orga­ Erdogan HAN OZER/AFP nisation terroriste par la Turquie. Le président affiche son désir de continuité Les deux partis semblent s’accorder sur la tout en y inscrivant une part de risque. Rien de muniste, anti-kurde et anti-chrétien politique interne mais cette entente peut achop­ nouveau. Sauf que le chef de l’État turc devra Parti d’extrême droite fondé en 1969, le per sur la scène internationale. « Alors que le composer avec la coalition formée de son parti MHP a recueilli 11 % des voix, un score bien au- parti d’extrême droite est profondément anti­ conservateur et du parti d’action nationaliste dessus des prévisions. « C’est le parti le plus sta­ européen, Recep Tayyip Erdogan n’a pas encore (MHP), dirigé par Devlet Bahceli, âgé de 70 ans. ble de Turquie, il surfe sur la vague nationaliste coupé les ponts avec Bruxelles », considère Recep Tayyip Erdogan a été réélu, le 24 juin, depuis des années », déclare Étienne Copeaux, Didier Billion, spécialiste de la Turquie et du dès le premier tour avec 52,6 % des voix mais chercheur et spécialiste du monde turc. Moyen-Orient. c’est son alliance avec le MHP qui permet à Dans les années 1970, le parti de Devlet Longtemps ennemis politiques, Devlet l’AKP de garder la mainmise sur le Parlement. Si Bahceli reposait sur sa branche militaire appelée Bahceli et Recep Tayyip Erdogan sont deux les pouvoirs du président turc ont été renforcés « les Loups gris », très puissante à cette époque. habiles tacticiens. Le président turc avait besoin aux termes d’une réforme constitutionnelle Ce mouvement est décrit comme néofasciste, de mordre sur l’électorat d’extrême droite tan­ adoptée par référendum en avril 2018, il aura anticommuniste, anti-kurde ou encore anti­ dis que le chef du MHP devait exister sur la besoin de la majorité parlementaire pour faire chrétien. Si les Loups gris sont entrés en som­ scène nationale. En attendant, l’idéologie du valider ses lois. meil, ils conservent des relations très étroites petit parti nationaliste turc, semble être le grand Un mouvement néofasciste, anticom- avec le MHP dont l’actuel président est un gagnant de ce scrutin. ♦

euronews. 14 July 2018 Turkey's Erdogan says Syrian government forces targeting Idlib could destroy accord - source

By Reuters. 14/07/2018 same way the essence of the Astana accord http://www.euronews.com could be completely destroyed,” the source said. ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told Russian leader Vladimir Putin on With help from Russia and Iran, President Saturday an accord aimed at containing the Bashar al-Assad has now recovered most of Syrian conflict could be destroyed if Syrian gov­ Syria but anti-Assad rebels still control Idlib in ernment forces target the Idlib region, a Turkish the northwest, while a Kurdish-led militia con­ presidential source said. trols the northeast and a large chunk of the east. The two presidents spoke by telephone after the Syrian government raised the national flag Turkey has set up a series of observation posts on Thursday over areas of Deraa in the south­ in Idlib as part of a deal which it reached last encouraging rebel groups to attend a meeting in west that was in rebel hands for years. The year with Russia and Iran in the Kazakh capital Astana planned for July 30-31, according to the source said Erdogan voiced concern about the Astana to reduce fighting between insurgents source. and the Syrian government in de-escalation treatment of civilians there. Separately, the Kremlin confirmed in a state­ zones. “President Erdogan stressed that the targeting ment Putin’s phone conversation with Erdogan of civilians in Deraa was worrying and said that Erdogan said the avoidance of “negative devel­ on Saturday and said they had discussed joint if the Damascus regime targeted Idlib in the opments” in Idlib was important in terms of efforts to solve the Syrian crisis. ♦

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LE FIGARO 11 JUILLET 2018 Les Etats-Unis relèguent le problème turc de l’Alliance au second rang

Isabelle Lasserre/11 juillet 2018 plan de retrait des miliciens kurdes http://www.lefigaroJr de la région de Manbij, dans le nord du pays. Ankara a fait taire ses men­ aces d’intervention à Test de IL Y A ENCORE six mois, l’ambiance, entre la l’Euphrate contre les zones kurdes. Turquie et ses alliés de TOtan, était à couteaux Quant aux missiles russes S-400, ils tirés. Il n’était pas une semaine sans que des « sont désormais liés par Washington engueulades » opposent les états-majors de aux bombardiers américains F-35 qui l’Alliance aux responsables turcs. Avec leur tur­ équipent l’armée de l’air turque. Un bulent allié, deuxième armée de TOtan en termes haut responsable américain a récem­ d’effectifs et seul pays musulman du club, les ment prévenu que les États-Unis sujets de désaccord s’accumulent depuis pourraient bloquer la vente des plusieurs années. En Syrie d’abord, où Recep avions si Ankara ne renonçait pas Tayyip Erdogan combat les forces kurdes du aux batteries russes. PYD, alliées aux États-Unis et à la France dans la lutte contre Daech. Autre sujet qui fâche : l’al­ L’alliance rus so-turque pourrait liance avec la Russie, que tout le monde pensait d’ailleurs se refroidir. Si le régime de tactique mais qui a été renforcée par la vente, à Ankara reproche aussi aux Européens de ne pas Damas lance avec le soutien de l’armée russe un prix défiant toute concurrence, de deux bat­ manifester assez de compassion envers leurs vic­ une offensive au nord, dans la région d’Idlib, la teries antiaériennes S-400 par Moscou. Non times du terrorisme, notamment celles du PKK, dernière encore contrôlée par la rébellion, la seulement les missiles sol-air russes sont incom­ le Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan. « Les Turquie prévient qu’elle quittera le groupe patibles avec le système de TOtan, mais ils font élites politiques turques ne considèrent plus d’Astana, où elle est engagée aux côtés de la redouter à l’Alliance des fuites d’informations l’Occident comme le centre de pouvoir mais Russie et de l’Iran. La participation à cette initia­ confidentielles vers la Russie. comme un centre de pouvoir parmi d’autres. tive de Vladimir Poutine pour trouver une solu­ Erdogan pense que l’émergence de nouvelles tion à la crise syrienne avait été pour Ankara le Le putsch raté de juillet 2016 a aussi laissé des puissances donne plus d’autonomie à sa poli­ symbole de sa prise de distance à l’égard des traces. Beaucoup des correspondants de TOtan tique internationale, y compris au sein de TOtan alliés occidentaux. Mais un renforcement de au sein de l’armée ont été victimes des purges », poursuit-il. l’engagement de Moscou auprès de Bachar el- d’Erdogan et ont fini en prison. Certains ont Assad serait une couleuvre difficile à avaler pour décidé de rester en Europe, où ils ont demandé L’HEURE EST AU COMPROMIS le pouvoir turc, qui a toujours été du côté des l’asile. « Au début, les choses ont été assez com­ À TOtan cependant, les divergences avec la rebelles. pliquées à gérer. L’Otan a vu de nouvelles têtes Turquie sont rarement évoquées publiquement. arriver. Finalement, la relation s’est normalisée Les Américains ont besoin des bases militaires « Finalement, TOtan est l’un des derniers liens », explique un diplomate européen de TOtan. turques pour continuer à jouer leur rôle dans la qui raccrochent la Turquie à l’Occident. Comme avant la tentative de putsch, c’est la région. Ils ont aussi besoin de la Turquie face à L’Alliance reste un pilier de leur politique de moustache qui fait la différence. « Il y a deux l’Iran, leur principal ennemi dans la région. défense », commente un diplomate européen de types d’officiers turcs : ceux de TOtan, qui n’ont Quant à l’Europe, elle est liée à Ankara qui joue l’Alliance. Il en est certain : « La Turquie n’est pas de moustache et sont restés kémalistes. Et pour elle, moyennant finances, le rôle de garde- pas en train de quitter TOtan. La préparation du ceux de Turquie, pro-Erdogan, qui tous portent frontières en contenant les quatre millions de sommet a été moins compliquée que prévu. la moustache ! » Mais le malaise est aussi réfugiés syriens qui vivent en Turquie. Mais la Depuis sa réélection, Erdogan est plus serein. exprimé par les responsables turcs, qui consid­ question est dans toutes les conversations de D’habitude, c’est le gars qui fait tout exploser. èrent que TOtan et les États-Unis ont été com­ couloir : la Turquie a-t-elle vocation à rester Maintenant il y en a d’autres... » Avec ses men­ plices du coup d’État manqué. « La montée du dans TOtan, dont elle est membre depuis 1952 ? aces répétées contre TOtan, le mépris qu’il man­ sentiment antioccidental en Turquie est basée sur ifeste envers ses alliés européens, Donald Trump la perception que l’Ouest mène constamment des Est, ou plutôt était, car souvent Turquie varie, et, a relégué le problème turc au deuxième rang... opérations contre la Turquie », affirmait récem­ depuis plusieurs semaines, l’heure est plutôt au Plus qu’Erdogan, c’est lui qui menace aujour­ ment un diplomate turc rencontré à Bruxelles. compromis. Sur le terrain syrien d’abord, où d’hui l’unité de TOtan. ■ Turcs et Américains se sont mis d’accord sur un

REUTERS YPG as a terrorist group and an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has waged a three-decade insurgency on Turkish soil. All Kurdish YPG Washington sees the YPG as a key ally in the fight against Islamic State. “The Manbij Military Council announces that the last batch of (YPG) military have left Syria’s advisers completed its withdrawal on July 15, 2018, after completing their mission of military training and preparation of our forces...,” the militia controlling the town said in a statement. Manhij : local militia The Manbij Military Council is a militia allied to the U.S.-backed Syrian July 15,2018 BEIRUT (Reuters) - Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria. It has repeatedly said there were no YPG fighters in Manbij, only some YPG military advisers. The last Syrian Kurdish YPG fighters left the northern Syrian town The announcement came after Turkey and the United States reached a deal of Manbij on Sunday, the militia controlling the town said, fulfil­ last month over Manbij after months of disagreement. Under that deal, the ling a longstanding Turkish demand that the YPG withdraw. YPG would withdraw from Manbij and Turkish and U.S. forces would jointly Turkey objects to the presence of the YPG in Syria near its border. It views the maintain security and stability around the town. •

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Xeltenfc VENDREDI 13 JUILLET 2018 La coûteuse politique étrangère de l’Iran laisse le pays exsangue Les sommes colossales qu’investit Téhéran pour pays du Moyen-Orient et de lÂfrique étendre son influence au Moyen-Orient du Nord. Or l’Iran, tout comme l’Egypte, la Jor­ affaiblissent le régime sur le plan intérieur, estime danie, lAlgérie, voire dans une moindre l’universitaire Farhad Khosrokhavar. Mais seule mesure le Maroc et l’Arabie Saoudite, voit se succéder des régimes politiques une nouvelle génération pourra reprendre la sans légitimité démocratique qui per­ durent en raison de l’absence de mou­ contestation lancée par le mouvement de 2009 vement de protestation : dans le monde arabe, les acteurs protestataires ont eu Par FARHAD KHOSROKHAVAR l’exportation du pétrole souffre de la leurs beaux jours entre fin 2010 et 2012 à nouvelle politique d’isolement améri­ l’occasion des « printemps arabes » ; en caine et est limitée à cause de la vétusté Iran, la protestation a culminé avec le des installations pétrolières, parce que Mouvement vert en juin-juillet 2009. Iran est face à un dilemme : il , l’Europe hésite à s’approvisionner en Depuis, tous ces mouvements se sont n’a pas les moyens économi- Iran de peur de la réaction américaine épuisés, leurs acteurs ont été neutrali­ et parce que la corruption généralisée sés et le nouvel Etat s’est fait le détenteur LI ques de sa politique régionale gangrène l’économie nationale. Cela du pouvoir de répression sans légiti­ et internationale. Les pressions des représente au bas mot entre le quart et mité, mais sans contestation non plus. Etats-Unis après leur sortie de l’accord le tiers des revenus pétroliers. Si l’ensemble des régimes de la région de Vienne sur le nucléaire de 2015 y Or, l’Iran souffre par ailleurs de maux souffre d’un déficit de légitimité - la sont pour quelque chose, mais, structu­ multiples. Comme la plupart des pays plupart de ceux qui s’opposent à l’Iran rellement, les causes de la crise sont in­ de la région, il connaît une sécheresse se ressemblent pour le mépris des ternes et relèvent d’une politique ex­ qui dure depuis plus d’une décennie et droits des citoyens et bénéficient de la pansionniste qui est extrêmement cause des dégâts extrêmement impor­ complaisance de l’Occident au sujet de coûteuse pour une société exsangue. tants à l’agriculture, mais aussi à l’éco­ leur répression -, l’Iran fait face à un Selon diverses estimations, le conflit en logie et à l’ensemble de son économie. défi particulier parce que sa politique Syrie coûte à l’Iran entre 9 et 14 mil­ Le pays est obligé d’importer une antiaméricaine et anti-israélienne le liards dollars par an, le financement du grande partie de ses produits agricoles prive de soutiens en Occident. Cet isole­ Hezbollah entre 3 et 7 milliards, celui du de base et connaît une pénurie en eau ment est d’autant plus grand que l’al­ Hamas un milliard, sans mentionner au sud, qui provoque la désertification liance entre lÂrabie Saoudite, Israël et les Houthis au Yémen, l’Irak et lÂfgha- de nombreuses zones. les Emirats contre l’Iran bénéficie du nistan, où Téhéran tente d’acheter son soutien sans nuance des Etats-Unis. Et influence en finançant les divers ac­ CORRUPTION ET CLIENTÉLISME l’Iran ne fait pas partie de ces pays teurs politiques. Par ailleurs, une politique idéologique comme l’Egypte, qui survivent grâce à Cette politique étrangère, qui consis­ trop axée dans la défense du clergé et l’infusion des dollars saoudiens et de te à étendre l’influence iranienne hors des affidés du pouvoir empêche une ré­ l’assistance américaine. de ses frontières afin d’assurer son hé­ partition équilibrée du budget de l’Etat Sur le plan intérieur, les mouve­ gémonie face à lÂrabie Saoudite, mais entre différents secteurs : tout ce qui re­ ments sociaux souffrent d’un déficit aussi sa protection face aux Etats-Unis, lève de l’idéologie et de l’islam institu­ lié à la lassitude de ceux qui ont déjà coûte quelques dizaines de milliards de tionnel bénéficie de grandes largesses, lancé le Mouvement vert de 2009. Il dollars par an, si on y ajoute la corrup­ grevant l’économie. Le fossé entre les faudra encore quelques années pour tion endémique des différents acteurs classes s’est transformé en un gouffre que de nouvelles générations pren­ concernés. Cette somme doit être réé­ et une fraction infime de la population, nent la relève et transforment la pro­ valuée d’au moins 20 à 30 % parce que grâce à la corruption et au clientélisme testation contre les conditions de vie de l’élite au pouvoir, s’enrichit indé­ intolérables comme la vie chère, le sa­ cemment, sans montrer une quelcon­ laire de misère, la corruption générali­ que capacité à entreprendre, un peu sur sée des élites, l’absence de solution cré­ L’IRAN FAIT FACE le modèle de nombreux pays arabes de dible aux maux sociaux comme le chô­ À UN DÉFI la région. mage mais aussi l’environnement... El­ Contrairement à la première décen­ les revigoreront la remise en cause de PARTICULIER PARCE nie du XXIe siècle, où les mouvements ces régimes sans légitimité et sans as­ sociaux comme le Mouvement vert sise réelle dans la société. ■ QUE SA POLITIQUE provenaient des classes moyennes et brandissaient la démocratie comme ANTI-AMÉRICAINE ET leur revendication majeure, ceux qui ANTI-ISRAÉLIENNE LE ont vu le jour dans plus d’une centaine «J de villes en Iran en 2017-2018 étaient is­ Farhad Khosrokhavar est directeur PRIVE DE SOUTIENS sus des couches pauvres, semblables d’études à l’École des hautes études aux révoltes du pain dans d’autres en sciences sociales EN OCCIDENT

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FP Foreign Policy | July 13, 2018 Turkey Has Made a Quagmire for Itself in Syria The Turkish military has discovered it's much easier to invade Syria than to govern it.

By Borzou Daragahi | July 13, 2018 https://foreignpolicy.com Turkish soldiers and FRIN, Syria — Murmurs of kidnappings Ankara-backed for ransom hung in the air, and shootings Syrian Arab fighters Aand bombings continued just outside the city. pose for a group Two women walked along the street adjacent to photo in the the government compound. “I’m scared to Kurdish-maj ority speak because of there,” one said, pointing to city of Afrin in the collection of buildings from which Turkey northwestern Syria and its local allies run the Afrin enclave. after seizing control “There’s no safety. There’s no security.” of it on March 18, 2018.(Omar Haj Inside the compound, Turkish officials and Kadour/AFP/Getty Syrian allies cited some good news about Afrin Images) during a tour for international journalists spon­ sored by the Turkish government. Numerous major Turkish charities are operating inside Afrin, helping distribute aid, establish demo­ cratic governance, and train local security forces. the east, which it has also occupied, Turkey security troubles to Turkey’s Arab and hopes to shape Afrin into a livable enclave to Turkmen allies — the Free Syrian Army units But even some working for the local authorities draw back Syrian refugees — including more that took part in the war to oust the Kurdish described lingering hostilities between the than 3 million who have settled in Turkey — militia and rebel units relocated from other enclave’s Kurds and Arabs, as well as between and give itself more leverage over the future of parts of Syria to Afrin in deals with the regime those who came here to settle from other parts Syria. Perhaps 140,000 Syrians have arrived in in Damascus. One Kurdish resident of Afrin of Syria and those who are natives. Adding to the Afrin region since the Turkish takeover, not said the rebel units pin portraits of former Iraqi the tensions have been a steady spate of attacks least because of the successful distribution of leader Saddam Hussein, who sprayed chemical by the Kurdish-led forces who ran Afrin — a humanitarian aid. But the Turks are clearly weapons against Kurds, to their vehicles. “Free drab jumble of low-lying buildings and dilapi­ eager to pull out of Afrin and leave the region to Syrian Army use terrible method to humiliate dated roadways surrounded by hilltops — until be run by local allies. those suspected of being” members of the they were ousted by Turkish forces in late Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), he said. March as part of a two-month military opera­ fficials said that local security forces, many tion called Olive Branch. Turkey succeeded at drawn from Free Syrian Army units, are A June report on Afrin by the United Nations driving its Kurdish enemies away from its own Obeing trained up, and hinted that Turkish forcescited “high levels of violent crime, with civilians border and at connecting swaths of Syria con­ would recede from the city center toward out­ falling victim to robberies, harassment, abduc­ trolled by Ankara’s Syrian partners to the east posts in the countryside within days. As in tions, and murder,” especially targeting those and south of Afrin. Jarablus and Azaz, Turkish forces, together perceived as sympathetic to the Kurdish-led with interpreters, have launched five-week forces. The report also warned of “reports of But Turkey, without quite realizing it, also courses to prepare local Arab security person­ lawlessness and rampant criminality” commit­ made itself the de facto ruler of this part of nel to take over. ted by rebel groups under the control of Turkish Syria. The responsibility seems more of a quag­ forces, naming several units of the Free Syrian mire than the Turkish government originally After the training, the lightly armed security Army. expected. forces are capable of policing the streets and holding their own against Kurdish rebels. But Kurdish resident of Afrin told Foreign “When the Turks invaded, they basically signed they’d likely crumble under a sustained assault Policy that more than 200 people have been up to govern the place,” said Aaron Stein, a by Russian-backed Syrian forces. For now, Adetained by Free Syrian Army brigades that Turkey and Syria specialist at the Atlantic Moscow, Ankara, and Tehran are clinging to a include the Shamiya (or Levant) Front, Ahrar Council, a Washington think tank. “They are fragile understanding about which country al-Sharqiya, and the Hamza Division. Relatives now on the hook for everything from delivering holds sway over which part of Syria. But pay ransoms of up to $20,000 to get loved ones water, picking up trash, administering health Turkey’s commitment to the enclave may falter released from makeshift detention centers at and education. Security is not very good. There should Russia, now the key power in Syria, the rebel groups’ headquarters. Residents must are clearly the indications of an insurgency. For forcefully demand the regime reimpose its rule. also sometimes make payments of up to $5,000 now, it’s manageable. But talk to me in five to get motor vehicles back. Human Rights years.” Meanwhile, local violence remains a challenge Watch last month accused the Syrian rebels of and appears to be accelerating. The Kurdish pillaging the homes of Afrin’s Kurdish resi­ Turkish authorities kept an eye on the journal­ People’s Protection Units (YPG) claimed a July dents. ists they brought on buses into Syria but also 7 attack on Turkish soldiers outside the city of gave us a bit of leeway to wander near the city’s Afrin. The same day, at least 10 people were “The rebels are trying to set up local protection main bazaar. Many Turkish officials were can­ severely wounded in a car bomb that struck rackets to pay their underling fighters,” Stein did about the challenges they face in bringing Jarablus. Several people, including two chil­ said. “They have high operating costs to keep order. “The priority in Afrin is still security, dren, were killed and injured in a July 8 motor­ their fighters on side.” security, security,” a senior Turkish official cycle bomb that struck the nearby city of Bab. said. In recent days, Turkish warplanes and artillery Many of the rebel fighters lack roots in Afrin. struck alleged YPG positions on Afrin’s out­ Amer Mohammed, a 38-year-old fighter of the The July 1 foray inside Syria offered a look at skirts, local media reported. Suleyman Shah Brigade, hails from Hama and the future challenges involved in stitching back has been fighting for years for Turkish-backed together a country torn apart by seven years of The YPG has claimed involvement in some of rebel groups — against the regime, the Islamic civil war. As with nearby Jarablus and Azaz to the attacks. But locals attribute some of the State, and the YPG. He has settled in Afrin «s’

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«• with his wife and nine children. Afrin has harrowing tales about the time before Those critical of Afrin’s post-YPG status quo Turkey’s arrival. Most had spent years wander­ tended to blame the problems on remnants of The conservative values of the rebel groups and ing around Syria, escaping from various enclaves the Free Syrian Army, rather than Turkish forces newcomers from areas such as the Damascus whenever they became engulfed in war. seeking to take a hands-off approach to gover­ suburb of eastern Ghouta, where besieged nance and policing. But confusion and chaos Syrians were forced to surrender to the regime of unzer Kano, 24, lived with his family in appear to be inching up. One of the two women President Bashar al-Assad and board buses for Afrin during the early years of the Syria walking alongside the government compound other parts of Syria earlier this year, sometimes Mconflict before it was taken over by the YPG, ansaid she didn’t care who ran the enclave so long clash with the region’s leftist-minded Kurds. One affiliate of the PKK. He and his family escaped to as they could provide security. “We hear explo­ man showed a journalist on the trip a picture of the city of Aleppo but then fled back here once sions and gunfire,” she said. “We don’t know his mother without her headscarf, complaining the YPG was driven out. “You have to have who’s responsible.” that the rebel groups that have taken over city money here, but otherwise I feel free and safe,” make women uncomfortable being in public Kano said — a gallon of milk here costs about Stein argued that Turks may be stuck in north­ without conservative Islamic headdresses. $2.75, and a gallon of baby formula upward of ern Syria, unable to fully pull out for domestic S20, above the means of the vast majority of political reasons. “They can’t leave because secu­ A Turkish flag flew atop the Syrian rebel flag on Syrians. Other locals said they were happy to be rity will deteriorate,” he said. “Security deterio­ the administrative compound, but no one in rid of the YPG’s draconian military draft, which rates, and people move back across the border. Afrin said they cared about such symbolism. forced young men to undergo highly ideological You’ve signed yourself up for a long-term occu­ They welcomed the Turks so long as they provid­ military training and to serve in its militia. pation.” ■ ed services and security. Almost everyone in

E(|c WnsfjiiiQton (times j u ly 15, 2018 Consolidating a dictatorship, deepening divisions

By David L. Phillips - - July IS, 2018 checked identification cards at polling stations. www.washingtontimes.com The presence of armed pro-government para­ military groups intimidated Kurdish voters. The ANALYSIS/O PINION: heavy security presence deterred Kurdish vot­ he Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) entered ers. into a unilateral ceasefire prior to Turkey’s International election monitors were obstructed elections on June 24. Though Turkish armed from Kurdish areas. More than 300,000 ballots in forces repeatedly attacked the PKK headquarters the mostly Kurdish southeast were invalidated. in the Qandil Mountains of northern Iraq, the PKK refused to take the bait. It understood that Kurdish voters also faced logistical challenges. renewed conflict would be used by President Ballot boxes were relocated from Kurdish com­ munities, forcing Kurds to travel up to 20 miles Recep Tayyip Erdogan to rally his nationalist Suppression of the Kurdish Vote Illustration from their homes. Hundreds of thousands of base and justify an even more intense crack­ by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times Kurdish voters were displaced and ineligible to down. vote because their homes were destroyed by the Kurds in Turkey preferred to show their power at Turkish military and they could not register at military solution to Kurdish aspirations for the ballot box. They hoped to deprive Mr. an address. greater political and cultural rights. The PKK Erdogan of a majority in the election for presi­ The Kurdish leadership was incapacitated. In dent, thereby forcing a second round. enjoys broad popular support because its strug­ addition to Mr. Demirtas, the Turkish govern­ Furthermore, the pro-Kurdish People’s gle gives dignity to the Kurds. ment jailed 12 Kurdish members of parliament Democratic Party (HDP) would pass a critical and took direct control of 82 Kurdish municipal­ Kurdish leaders warn that the PKK will renew its threshold and be seated in parliament if it ities, incarcerating elected mayors. It arrested insurgency. They have been pushed by Turkey’s gained more than 10 percent of the popular 5,000 local Kurdish activists. bogus election and Mr. Erdogan’s bellicose rhet­ vote. oric. The resumption of armed conflict will mark Elections can either advance national reconcili­ a new phase in Turkey’s civil war with regional The election was no surprise. Mr. Erdogan won ation, or intensify polarization based on how the the presidency with 52 percent, while the HDP’s implications, as armed Kurdish groups in Syria election is conducted. Democratic elections and Iran join the fray to support their Kurdish charismatic presidential candidate, Selahattin allow voters to express dissent, giving them an brethren. Demirtas, received less than 9 percent. Though opportunity to manifest their grievances conditions were stacked against the HDP, it still through a political process. Turkey’s recent elec­ Turkey is at a fork in the road. Mr. Erdogan can got 12 percent. In a free and fair elections, the tions did not heal wounds. It worsened divi­ intensify his authoritarian rule and intensify HDP would have dome much better. sions, serving as a vehicle for Mr. Erdogan to Turkey’s war against the Kurds, or he can seek to Mr. Demirtas conducted his campaign from jail, consolidate his dictatorship. rule inclusively and solve Turkey’s ethnic strife imprisoned on trumped-up terrorism charges. through negotiations. Stakes are high. If Mr. When voters objected, Mr. Erdogan threatened He communicated with voters via his lawyers Erdogan foregoes peace talks with the PKK, the violence targeting dissenters. What’s done is and social media. ensuing spiral of deadly violence could consume done. Mr. Erdogan was recently inaugurated Turkey itself. • Turkey’s state-controlled media gave Mr. with great fanfare and is ensconced in the pres­ • David L. Phillips is director of the Program on Erdogan 181 hours of coverage during the six idency for another five years. Peace-building and Rights at Columbia weeks prior to elections. Mr. Demirtas received Mr. Erdogan promised a security solution to the University’s Institute for the Study of Human less than one hour. Kurdish conflict. He pledged to drain the swamp Rights. His most recent book is “An Uncertain The government declared a state of emergency, by targeting Kurdish communities. As evidenced Ally: Turkey Under Erdogan’s Dictatorship” which prevented campaign rallies. Police by more than 40 years of conflict, there is no (Routledge, 2017).

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JULY 14, 2018 Iraqi forces placed on ‘high alert’ as violent protests enter sixth day

Karzan Sulaivany I July 14-2018 summit, to speak about the lasting defeat of the kurdistan24.net Islamic State, Abadi held talks with officials in Iraq’s oil-hub of Basra to discuss unrest in the province. ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Exports out of Basra account for over 95 percent of Protests have been raging in southern Iraq for ai-Abadi on Saturday placed the country’s security Iraq’s revenue, but officials have stressed oil ship­ nearly a week as people demand basic services forces on “high alert” as people in Iraq’s southern ments have not yet been affected by the protests. and an end to unemployment. (Photo: Archive) Iraq Basra Haider al-Abadi provinces continue to demonstrate lack of govern­ Days of protests over the lack of public services ment services and corruption. and unemployment in the country culminated on According to Reuters, the nationwide order was Friday in Iraqi demonstrators halting air traffic in suffer after 15 years” since the fall of the regime, a delivered overnight by Abadi, who is also the coun­ the Najaf Airport and blocking access to the Umm protester complained to Kurdistan 24 during a live try’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Qasr port in the province of Basra. broadcast on Friday. “Reinforcement troops from both the Counter- Air traffic was put on hold as protesters holding Protests erupted five days ago in Basra, the oil-rich Terrorism Service and the Army’s Ninth Division Iraqi flags stormed Najaf International Airport, an province in southern Iraq, and later spread to other have already been dispatched to Basra, where eyewitness told Kurdistan 24. cities across Iraq. demonstrators gathered for the sixth consecutive “We are living in the biggest oil exporting region of Demonstrators, demanding better public services, day, to help protect the province’s oil fields,” the world, yet this is our life. Public services are faced off with security forces. Among their main Reuters reported, citing security sources. wholly inadequate despite the province generating concerns are the distribution of electricity and After returning from Brussels where he met with over 90 percent of the country’s total revenue. We water, and high unemployment. ♦ Global Coalition forces, on the sidelines of a NATO need water, electricity, and employment. We still

TheNewArab 16 JULY 2018

are continuing. Therefore, at this stage, reports that PYD/YPG have completely withdrawn from Last Kurdish YPG fighters leave Manbij do not reflect the truth." The YPG forms the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Kurdish-Arab Syria's Manbij to avoid tensions alliance that has ousted IS from swathes of Syria with help from the US-led coalition. But the militia is considered a "terrorist" with Turkey group by Ankara, which sees it as the Syrian branch of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), outlawed in Turkey. https://www.alaraby.co.uk 16 July, 2018 Ankara and allied rebels overran the YPG's north-western bastion of Afrin in March and threatened to continue on to Manbij. he Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) Tled the 2016 offensive to rid Manbij of the That raised the spectre of a possible confron­ Islamic State group and had kept military advisers tation with the American and French coalition in the town to train local forces. troops stationed in the town. The last members of a Kurdish militia pulled A flurry of diplomacy between the US and out on Sunday from the Syrian town of Manbij, Turkey produced a joint "roadmap" in May to allied Arab fighters said, under a deal reached to coordinate security in Manbij and avoid a clash. avoid clashes with Turkey. The YPG announced in June it would with­ The Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) Turkish forces patrol the outskirts of draw its forces from Manbij, but did not specify led the victorious 2016 offensive to rid Manbij of Syria's Manbij. [Getty] how many were still left in the town. the Islamic State group and had kept military Turkish troops began patrolling areas north advisers in the town to train local forces. of Manbij, which Syria's infuriated regime saw as Turkey - an arch-rival of the YPG - has down­ It announced last month it would begin with­ a breach of its sovereignty. played the reports of a withdrawal of Kurdish drawing from the town as the local Manbij Since conflict broke out there in 2011, Syria fighters from the town. Military Council (MMC) was capable of holding it has been sliced up into various zones of control, on its own. "We find reports that the PYD/YPG have with the regime making a comeback to hold more completely withdrawn from Manbij to be exag­ "The last group of military advisers from the than 60 percent of the country. gerated. The process is still continuing," a Turkish People's Protection Units finished withdrawing But much of its north is controlled by the foreign ministry source told Reuters. on July 15, 2018 after completing their mission YPG or its allies, and the US-led coalition fighting to train and develop our forces, under the deal "Withdrawal from the checkpoints on the IS operates several bases there. • with the international coalition," the MMC said. patrol route is ongoing. Joint patrol preparations

22 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

JULY 18, 2018 Abadi, Maliki seek alliance with Iraq's Kurds Nearly two months since Iraq's parliamentary elec­ tion, the winning parties are still discussing an alliance to form the new government.

Omar Sattar July 18, 2018 Reza/Getty Images www.al-monitor.com The flag of the Kurdistan Regional Government.

It is possible to attribute the delayed Kurdish-Shiite talks — it's been nearly AGHDAD — Even as Iraqis continue to take to the streets to protest two months since the elections — to obstructed inter-Shiite talks to form Bunemployment and poor services, and although the judiciary-appointed “the largest bloc” in charge of designating a premier under the Iraqi commission has yet to announce the official results of the ballot recount for Constitution. Although Sairoon Alliance leader Muqtada al-Sadr announced the recent parliamentary elections, the winning blocs are nevertheless pro­ earlier that he reached an alliance with Haider al-Abadi's al-Nasr Coalition ceeding with consultations to form the next government. and the Fatah Alliance, these alliances have yet to become official. Sadr wrote in a July 9 statement, which coincided with the Kurdish-Shiite talks, After alliances among Shiite blocs were made public — and for the first “Political blocs should refrain from involving the US and our neighboring time following the May 12 general elections — there were visits to Erbil to countries in talks on forming alliances and what comes next. This is our discuss the government formation. A Fatah Alliance delegation led by Hadi business as Iraqis — not theirs.” al-Amiri arrived July 6 in Erbil, and a delegation of the State of Law Coalition led by Nouri al-Maliki held talks he deemed “successful” with the He added, “My advice is that all political blocs refrain from forming Kurdistan Democratic Party's (KDP) leaders July 7, also in Erbil. abhorred sectarian and ethnic alliances and alignments. In turn, I am against any [purely] Sunni, Shiite, Kurdish or other alignment.” He reiterat­ The KDP, which is led by Massoud Barzani, voiced during the encounters ed that he is willing “to cooperate to reach an alliance that goes beyond any conditions for an alliance with the largest “Shiite bloc” tasked with forming partisan, sectarian and nationalist shares.” a government. hese remarks indicate that Sadr is so far dissatisfied with the talks and KDP member Khosro Kuran said, “In order for the KDP to ally with a par­ that Shiites have begun resorting to Kurdish and Sunni blocs in order ticular straightforward and known bloc, the latter needs to commit to the T to form the largest bloc or agree on a candidate for the premiership. [Iraqi] Constitution, particularly when it comes to Kirkuk and the rest of the disputed areas. It is also required to have a government program to suc­ Karim al-Nuri, a member of the Fatah Alliance, told Al-Monitor, “The present cessfully bring about the things that the former governments failed to do talks will neither be official nor produce a significant thing before ratifying with regards to this subject.” the elections’ outcomes and announcing when the first parliament session is going to be held.” Article 140 of Iraq's constitution calls for a referendum to determine the sta­ tus of Kirkuk and other territories disputed between the central government “The Kurdish political parties cannot be excluded from the future govern­ and the Kurdistan region, but Baghdad has consistently delayed a vote. ment. Everyone is aware of that, and it is only normal to negotiate with them. This, however, does not necessarily mean that alliances are being “There were preliminary talks with the Shiite blocs in Erbil, which brought the State of Law Coalition and Fatah Alliance closer together. Yet it is too shaped presently,” he added. early to speak of an alliance,” Kuran told Al-Monitor. Nuri indicated that “similar talks to exchange views are also being held with the Sunni parties that won the elections. Yet they will not be based on sec­ Nevertheless, he pointed out that the KDP's talks with the winning blocs are held on neither a sectarian nor nationalist basis, although reports spoke tarian shares.” of a list of joint conditions between the KDP and Patriotic Union of So far, there appears to be no significant, clear international interference in Kurdistan (PUK). the Iraqi talks. Those who won the elections are convinced that the manual recount will not change much when it comes to the number of seats they pokesman for the PUK Saadi Ahmad Bira told a Baghdad-based news­ grabbed. The most prominent actors on the Iraqi scene, however, are paper, “Both parties' politicos will meet July 12 in Erbil to select the S Washington and Tehran, and neither plans to get involved or pressure polit­ Kurdish delegation that will engage in talks with the winning blocs." Bira ical blocs to halt talks about a government formation. Such talks could drag anticipated that both parties will draft a list of Kurdish demands in the upco­ on for months, as all parties are standing firm on their demands regardless ming days, the newspaper reported. of how long this takes them. Speaking to Al-Monitor over the phone, Bira said, “The PUK communicated The latest talks in Erbil are only a prelude to the decisive talks that will take its demands to the Shiite delegations that visited Kurdistan. These place in Baghdad once the elections' official results are ratified. demands consist of improving services and living conditions in the Subsequently, a “consensual” Shiite premier will be designated, although it Kurdistan Region.” He noted that “outstanding issues between Baghdad is hard to ensure that the Kurdish and Sunni parties' demands will be met. and Erbil should be resolved as part of a constitutional framework. Parties Despite being well aware of that, Kurdish and Sunni parties are holding on winning the ballot are required to resolve them as part of a clear govern­ to particular demands until they get the posts they wish for. ♦ ment program.” Omar Sattar is an Iraqi journalist and author specializing in political Knowingly, the Kurds call for the application of Article 140 of the Iraqi affairs. He has worked for local and Arab media outlets and holds a bach­ Constitution to normalize the situation in Kirkuk and other disputed areas, elor’s degree in political science. perhaps have peshmerga forces restore Kirkuk, and settle the Kurdish oil dispute and share of the federal budget. Before the Kurds take part in the government, the concerned Shiite bloc needs to ensure the fulfillment of these demands.

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REUTERS Kurdish-backed body aims to widen authority in Syrian northeast

July 16,2018 TABQA, Syria (Reuters) -

The political arm of the Syrian Democratic Forces militia said on Monday it would work to set up a unified administration for areas it controls, a step that would consolidate its authority in northern and eastern Syria. The Kurdish-led SDF holds around a quarter of Syria, much of it captured from Islamic State with the help of the U.S.-led coalition. It is the biggest chunk of the country outside the control of President Bashar al-Assad’s government. The plan announced on Monday at a congress of the Syrian Democratic Council in Tabqa aims to bring together civil councils that have emerged across SDF territory in the north and east. “This is an administration to coordinate among the areas because there are gaps... to secure needs in all areas," Ilham Ahmed, the co-chair of the SDC and a top Syrian Kurdish politician, told Reuters. Ahmed said the initiative was still in the early phases of discussion and the goal Darar said the SDF sought to become part of the army in a future, decentralized was to include all SDF territory. “It will have a benefit when it comes to ensu­ Syria, after there is a peace settlement. ring security and stability,” she said. Despite their big territorial sway, Syrian Kurdish groups have consistently been The SDF is spearheaded by the Kurdish YPG militia but has expanded beyond left out of U.N. peace talks, in line with the wishes of NATO member Turkey. majority Kurdish parts of the north. Its territory now includes Raqqa city, Ankara views the YPG as part of the Kurdish PKK movement, which has moun­ Islamic State’s former Syrian base of operations, and the eastern Deir al-Zor ted a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. province at the Iraqi border. Assad said last month that Damascus was opening “doors for negotiations” The group wants the Syrian conflict to end with a decentralized system that with the SDF, but if these failed it would resort to force to recapture the areas secures rights for minorities, including Kurds. The YPG and SDF have mostly where some 2,000 U.S. forces are stationed. avoided conflict with Assad during the seven-year war, setting them apart from Though Kurdish leaders say they are ready to talk to Damascus, Ahmed signa­ rebels in western Syria who fought to topple him. The SDF and YPG say they do led there had been no moves toward negotiations. She said Assad’s comments not seek an independent state. had not moved beyond “the theoretical level”. Riad Darar, the second SDC co-chair, told Reuters that in the absence of a poli­ tical solution, the SDC aimed to strengthen the administration of SDF-held The Kurdish-led administrations in northern Syria last year began a three-stage areas. election that aimed to deepen their autonomy through the new elected institu­ INSURGENCY tions. The plan will combine the councils of Raqqa, Deir al-Zor and other areas, as But the third and final stage of that election was postponed indefinitely after well as the autonomous administration of the eastern Jazeera region. The new Turkey launched an incursion into the Kurdish Afrin region of northwest Syria, “organized entity (will) practice a form of governance... draw up practical poli­ a leading Kurdish politician told Reuters last month. • cies for people’s lives and provide services,” he added.

s'* - -RUDAW zfi’’ 16 JULY 2018

said. Voting recounts have been KDP and PUK finalizing agenda undertaken in Kirkuk, Erbil, Sulaimani, and Duhok, but Iraq’s Independent High Electoral for Baghdad negotiations Commission is yet to announce final results. The KDP official said the discus­ By Rudaw.net 16/7/201 sion so far held with Iraqi parties “were not official and were only IRMAM, Kurdistan Region — friendly meetings” because the fede­ ral court has not yet made a final Politburo members from the KurdistanP Democratic Party hosted ruling on the outcome of the elec­ their Patriotic Union of Kurdistan tion. This is in addition to the instabi­ counterparts in Erbil on Sunday to lity created by the protests staged in finalize an agenda for going to southern Iraq. Protests over a lack of jobs and Baghdad. The aim of the KDP-PUK mee­ public services have brought many southern provinces to a halt. ting is to complete a mutual package which they will jointly bring to “We will not wait until the pro­ tests are curbed. Rather, we will be Baghdad. A high-ranking KDP official said preparing a joint agenda with the the agenda is not only intended for PUK. Then we will reach out to the other parties and present the negotiations with Iraqi parties. Members of the KDP and PUK meet in Pirmam, Kurdistan “Rather, we will discuss it with agenda to them so that it becomes a Region, on July 16, 2018. Photo: Rudaw joint agenda of all of us. If they the US and EU countries,” said the official. refuse to join the agenda, the KDP the election start to form a new to invite Gorran, CDJ, Komal and Aras Haso Mirkhan, a KDP lea­ and PUK should then prepare them­ government. dership member, said they have KIU to “join the alliance and partici­ selves for the task together,” After meeting with the PUK and pate in writing up the joint agenda Mirkhan said. good common ground with the PUK preparing a joint agenda, the KDP is through which discussions will be to reach an agreement before nego­ The KDP declared that they will expected to take the initiative again held with Iraqi parties,” Mirkhan tiations among the winning parties of be taking the initiative and **

24 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

reach out to all the parties in the Pira added. a strong Iraqi government to be for­ meet with Barzani, KDP and PUK Kurdistan Region to go to Baghdad ccording to information obtained med in Erbil only to sideline the politburos. But their visit was on the basis of a joint agenda. by Rudaw from KDP and PUK Kurds later. delayed because of the protests. Saadi Ahmad Pira, a PUK polit- officials, the agenda that is going to KDP official who didn’t want to Mirkhan said Barzani had buro member and spokesperson, be prepared by the KDP and PUK be mentioned by name said he recently met with US, British and EU however said that it is impossible to will include some demands, most met with KDP head Masoud Barzani officials and had told them that discuss meetings and holding talks important of which will be: “the recently who was optimistic about Kurdistan’s patience regarding with Iraqi parties while widespread implementation of article 140, hol­ future developments and that Kirkuk and other areas will not conti­ protests are staged in south Iraq. ding a referendum to decide the Barzani had thought the Kurdistan nue. Additionally, Kurdistan will tie “The discussion will stop for fates of disputed territories, forming Region would be even in a stronger the solution of these areas to its par­ now. Baghdad is busy with internal a balanced government among position than it was in before the ticipation in the formation of the affairs. Whenever we decide to go to Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds, all the independence referendum. government and the foreigners Baghdad, there is a national agenda decisions and laws passed by the A PUK official who didn’t want to should play their role before that contains all the wants of the parliament should be done so on the be identified said they will reach an Kurdistan’s patience runs out. Kurds,” Pira said. basis of the principle of agreement, agreement with the KDP if the In early discussions with Iraqi Iraq held a parliamentary elec­ not on the basis of majority versus agreement ensures the needs and parties, the KDP had stressed the tion on May 12. It is yet to form a minority, government positions wants of the people of Kurdistan and need to protect “consensus, balance new government. The current should be distributed in a balanced important Kurdish questions. and partnership”. government’s mandate was exten­ manner.” “However, it is important if all the The KDP and PUK, traditionally ded by parliament as it was set to Recently, some Iraqi delega­ parties are united and together. We the two largest Kurdistani parties, expire at the end of June. tions and leaders of some Iraqi par­ will try to reach out to them again, collectively secured 43 seats in the “In terms of the formation of a ties visited Erbil, which was the but we are sure they won’t come,” election, according to official prelimi­ government, we will support any place where parties came to four he said. nary results released by the Iraq' party or anybody that is prepared to years ago to negotiate the formation Haider al-Abadi’s Nasr and High Independent Electoral meet the demands of the Kurds,” of the current government. But KDP Moqtada al-Sadr’s Sayirun delega­ Commission in May. ■ officials have said they will not allow tions were expected to visit Erbil to

iaCroix 18 JUILLET 2018 Fin de l’état d’urgence en Turquie, une détente en trompe-l’œil

Audrey Parmentier , le 18/07/2018 www.la-croix.com e président turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a Lannoncé la levée de ce régime en vigueur depuis deux ans dans le pays. Cependant, le nou­ veau projet de loi « antiterroriste » s’inspire for­ tement des dispositions de l’état d’urgence au risque de les pérenniser. Des agents de sécurité turcs se tiennent devant la nouvelle mosquée de la place Taksim à Istanbul le 16 avril 2018 pour protester contre la prolonga­ tion de l'état d'urgence. Le président turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a annoncé dans la nuit du mer­ credi 18 au jeudi 19 juillet la levée de ce régime en vigueur depuis deux ans dans le pays. Il n’a pas été renouvelé une huitième fois. En Des agents de sécurité turcs se tiennent devant la nouvelle mosquée de la place Taksim à Turquie, l’état d’urgence a été levé dans la nuit du Istanbul le 16 avril 2018 pour protester contre la prolongation de l'état d'urgence. Le mercredi 18 au jeudi 19 juillet. Du moins sur le président turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a annoncé dans la nuit du mercredi 18 au jeudi 19 papier, puisque ce régime risque de perdurer à juillet la levée de ce régime en vigueur depuis deux ans dans le pays. / Yasin Akgul / AFP travers un projet de loi « antiterroriste » qui sera débattu au Parlement dans les prochains jours. Réélu le 24 juin dès le premier tour, le président iste du monde turc. Au total, 77 000 suspects ont Les opposants politiques et particulièrement les turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan entend bien garder la été incarcérés et plus de 150 000 personnes fonc­ Kurdes ont aussi été victimes de vastes purges. Le main sur le pays. tionnaires ont été limogées ou suspendus à la plus connu est le président du parti pro kurde Instauré après le putsch manqué du 15 juillet suite de décrets-lois. (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas, incarcéré depuis novembre 2016. Dans les villes kurdes, au sud-est 2016, le régime de l’état d’urgence en Turquie a Militaires, journalistes, écrivains ou encore avo­ de la Turquie, certains maires ont été arrêtés pour entraîné de vastes purges notamment chez les cats ont été les principales victimes de ces purges. être remplacés par des proches de l’AKP. « Ces fonctionnaires. Les autorités turques traquent les « Ils ont tous été remplacés par des fidèles de gens arrêtés ne seront pas libérés parce qu’on proches supposés du prédicateur Fethullah Recep Tayyip Erdogan », reprend Étienne lève l’état d’urgence », prévient Étienne Copeaux. Gulen, actuellement en Pennsylvanie, accusé Copeaux. Dans le secteur éducatif, des écoles d’être responsable du coup d’état raté. accusées d’être proches du mouvement guleniste « UNE INSTITUTIONNALISATION D’UN « TOUS REMPLACÉS PAR DES FIDÈLES ont été fermées et environ 5 800 universitaires RÉGIME PROVISOIRE » ont été radiés. « Certains universitaires ne peu­ D’ERDOGAN » Et peu de chose risque de changer, puisque la fin vent plus sortir de Turquie et doivent vivre en de l’état d’urgence ne met pas un terme à ses dis­ Sous l’état d’urgence, 34 décrets-lois ont été émis attendant leur arrestation. Il y a des milliers de positions. « Nous allons poursuivre sans relâche par les autorités turques. « Ces décisions ont personnes qui sont dans cet état d’incertitude », notre lutte à l’intérieur comme à l’extérieur de force de loi et permettent beaucoup de choses », déclare Étienne Copeaux. explique Étienne Copeaux, chercheur et spécial­ nos frontières », a prévenu le chef d’État turc >•

25 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

>• lors de la commémoration du putsch man­ reprendre : « C’est une institutionnalisation d’un Tayyip Erdogan des pouvoirs plus étendus. « qué, dimanche 15 juillet. Fortement inspiré des régime qui était provisoire. » Par exemple, le Politiquement, il peut se permettre de lever l’état mesures de l’état d’urgence, le nouveau projet de nouveau texte permet aux autorités de continuer, d’urgence. C’est le seul maître à bord », explique loi « antiterroriste » montre que la politique de pendant trois années, de limoger tout fonction­ Étienne Copeaux. Le projet de loi « antiterroriste Recep Tayyip Erdogan est loin de s’assouplir. naire lié à une organisation terroriste. » devrait être approuvé à la majorité au par­ lement grâce à l’alliance réalisée entre le parti En levant l’état d’urgence, le président turc ne « Les dispositions de l’état d’urgence vont être conservateur AKP et le parti ultranationaliste prend aucun risque. Désormais, la Turquie dis­ reconduites en loi permanente donc c’est un dur­ (MHP). • cissement », analyse Étienne Copeaux avant de pose d’un régime présidentiel qui confère à Recep

rfinr= Kurdistan iranien: 11 militaires tués dans des affrontements avec des rebelles

Par RFI le 21 -07-2018 Avec notre correspondant à Téhéran, Siavosh Zartjwi X Ghazi http://www.rfi.fr Erbi| O J-J Onze militaires ont été tués et huit autres blessés dans des affrontements Téhéran qui ont eu lieu dans la nuit du 20 au 21 juillet dans la région de Marivan, SouWm*lam1 située dans le Kurdistan iranien. Ô O Il s'agit de l'attaque la plus meurtrière des groupes rebelles dans la région K

23 juillet 2018 Irak : un fonctionnaire et trois assaillants tués dans l'attaque contre le gouvernorat d'Erbil

Texte par FRANCE 24 avec AFP et Reuters / 23/07/2018 http s://www.f rance24 .corn

n fonctionnaire a été tué lundi au siège du gouvernorat d'Erbil dans Uune attaque menée par trois hommes armés qui ont été abattus par les forces de sécurité, ont indiqué des responsables du Kurdistan irakien. L'attaque n'a pas été revendiquée. Des hommes armés, présentés par les autorités comme des membres de l'organisation de l'État islamique, sont entrés lundi 23 juillet au siège du Gouvernement régional du Kurdistan irakien (GRK). Un fonctionnaire a été tué et au moins l'un des assaillants s’est fait exploser, a-t-on appris des autorités. Équipés d'armes de poing et de fusils d'assaut, les assaillants ont Un homme regarde des taches de sang sur le sol après une attaque con­ pénétré dans le bâtiment par l'entrée principale et par une entrée secon­ tre le siège de la province d'Erbil, dans capitale du Kurdistan irakien daire. Les premiers éléments de l'enquête montrent qu'au moins un fonc­ (nord), le 23 juillet 2018 ©SAFIN FLAMED, AFP tionnaire a été tué et que deux policiers ont été blessés. Selon les autori­ tés, tous les assaillants ont été abattus. Une attaque "terroriste", l'EI soupçonnée deux de la police de la région autonome, Farhad Mohammed, qui a qualifié "Nous pensons que les assaillants appartiennent à l'État islamique en l’attaque de "terroriste" mais s'est refusé quant à lui à "accuser un groupe en particulier dans l'immédiat". raison des méthodes qu'ils ont utilisées pour entrer dans le bâtiment depuis l'entrée principale (...). Deux hommes ont ouvert le feu sur les L'organisation de l'État islamique avait déjà mené une attaque en 2015 gardes", a déclaré un responsable kurde. "Les deux autres sont entrés par contre le bâtiment du ministère de l'Intérieur du Kurdistan à Erbil, faisant une entrée secondaire qui n'était pas surveillée. Ils ont crié Allah Akbar'”, des morts et des blessés. a-t-il ajouté. Les peshmergas (combattants kurdes) ont participé activement à la À l'issue de près de quatre heures d'échanges de tirs, "l'opération s'est lutte contre l'EI, notamment pour repousser le groupe jihadiste du nord du terminée avec la neutralisation des trois assaillants", a déclaré le numéro pays. ■

26 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

felïonâe SAMEDI 14 - DIMANCHE 15 - LUNDI 16 JUILLET 2018 LA GUERRE EN SYRIE A Deraa, l’étincelle de la révolution syrienne s’est éteinte Un convoi d’officiers de l’armée régulière a investi, jeudi, Des soldats de les secteurs rebelles de cette ville l’armée syrienne 1 brûlent le drapeau emblématique, qui fut le théâtre des insurgés, près de la frontière avec en 2011 des prémices la Jordanie, dans la province de Deraa, VW Homs du soulèvement anti-Assad le 7 juillet. • Palmyre YOUSSEF KARWASHAN/AFP Mer • Méditerranéeiéditerranée RECIT I IRA SYRIE AMMAN - envoyé spécial chaîne cible de l’aviation russe. Plati J étendard du régime syrien C’est l’épilogue de sept années de lutte, le du Golan Damas dernier souffle d’une insurrection à bout de ® «Otaiba flotte sur les quartiers sud de forces, victime de la brutalité du régime As­ Deraa Deraa pour la première fois sad, des inconséquences de la communauté depuis sept ans. Jeudi • KhirbetGhazak internationale et de ses propres erreurs. a »Souweïda •Nassib «OUBLIEZ VOS ENFANTS» JORDANIE ■ 12 juillet, un convoi d’offi­ Amman A Deraa, tout a commencé par un graffiti. ciers de l’armée régulière et ® 100 km « Jay alek el dorya doctor» (« Ton tour arrive, deL membres de la police militaire russe a in­ docteur »). Il est tracé par une bande de jeu­ vesti les secteurs rebelles de cette ville em­ nes, un soir de la fin février 2011 sur le mur lise cette ville de 100 000 habitants, pétrie blématique, à la pointe sud de la Syrie, qui d’une école de la ville. Dans un Proche- de conservatisme tribal. Des dizaines fut le théâtre en 2011 des prémices du soulè­ Orient en pleine ébullition, après le renver­ d’habitants outragés organisent une vement anti-Assad. Ce déploiement s'est sement des despotes tunisien et égyptien, marche de protestation, le vendredi fait sans combat, conformément à l’accord Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali et Hosni Moubarak, 18 mars, à la sortie de la prière. Ils sont re­ de cessez-le-feu, conclu le 6 juillet, entre l’ar­ le pied de nez au dictateur syrien, ophtalmo­ poussés par des canons à eau et des tirs à mée russe et les chefs des groupes armés. logue de formation, est explicite. balles réelles, qui font deux morts, les deux Cet arrangement, qualifié de «réconcilia­ Les effrontés sont raflés dans les jours qui premiers martyrs du soulèvement syrien. tion » par Damas mais que les insurgés vivent suivent par les services de renseignement et Leurs funérailles, le lendemain, drainent comme une capitulation, était intervenu aussitôt torturés. «Ils nous fouettaient les des centaines de personnes dans la rue, aux après deux semaines de bombardements, pieds avec des câbles électriques, a raconté au cris de «Celui qui tue son peuple est un qui ont causé la mort d’environ 150 civils. traître». Nouveaux coups de feu et nou­ Monde l’un des membres de l’équipée noc­ Après avoir repris le contrôle, durant l’hiver veaux morts. turne, rencontré en 2013, dans le nord de la et le printemps, de la totalité de la banlieue de Les condoléances offertes par le vice-mi­ Jordanie, où il s’était réfugié. Ils voulaient à Damas ainsi que de l’autoroute entre Homs nistre des affaires étrangères, Fayçal tout prix nous faire dire que nous avions été et Hama, le pouvoir syrien était déterminé à Meqdad, un natif de Deraa, dépêché sur manipulés par un agent étranger. » rasseoir son autorité sur cette région stratégi­ place par le pouvoir, n’apaisent pas la fièvre, que, adjacente à la Jordanie et au plateau du La détention des adolescents se prolon­ pas plus que la libération de quelques-uns Golan, partiellement occupé par Israël. geant, une délégation de parents se rend des malheureux tagueurs. L’accord, dicté aux rebelles sous la menace chez le chef de la branche locale de la sécu­ A la vue de leurs ongles arrachés, la colère d’une reprise des bombardements, prévoit rité politique, Atef Najib. Ce cousin de Ba- de la population redouble. Le palais de jus­ leur désarmement et leur amnistie, ainsi char Al-Assad, connu pour ses manières tice et le siège du parti Baas, la formation au que le retour des institutions étatiques. Une brutales et son train de vie tapageur, aurait pouvoir depuis cinquante ans en Syrie, sont partie des insurgés pourrait se reconvertir alors eu ces mots : « Oubliez vos enfants et incendiés. Les autorités locales ripostent en en force de police locale ou bien intégrer allez retrouver vos femmes. Elles vous en attaquant le 21 mars la mosquée Al-Omari, une unité de l’armée consacrée à la lutte donneront d’autres. Et puis si vous n’êtes pas dans la vieille ville de Deraa, devenue le contre l’organisation Etat islamique (El). capables de leur faire des enfants, amenez- quartier général des protestataires. Ceux qui refusent d’abandonner le combat nous vos femmes. On le fera pour vous. » « C’était comme une guerre, se rappelle Ma- anti-Assad ou qui ne croient pas aux pro­ Véridiques ou non, ces propos se répan­ nal Abasie, une comptable de 46 ans, qui ha­ messes de «réconciliation» de Damas de­ dent comme une traînée de poudre. bitait à proximité et qui est aujourd’hui exi­ vraient être transférés dans la province L’offense faite aux pères de famille scanda- lée à Amman. L’électricité a sauté, il y avait d’Idlib, l’ultime possession rebelle, au nord- ouest du pays, qui promet d’être la pro- 27 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

des coups de feu partout. Je n'oublierai ja­ TOUT A COMMENCÉ nord de la Syrie, où le Qatar et lÂrabie Saou­ mais la voix des gens qui formaient une dite ont envoyé des armes dès le printemps chaîne humaine autour de la mosquée et PAR UN GRAFFITI, 2012, avec la bénédiction de la Turquie, s’est suppliaient les soldats de ne pas les tuer. "S’il UN SOIR DE transformé en Far West islamiste. Les grou­ vous plaît, ne tirez pas, nous sommes vos pes radicaux, qui tiennent le haut du pavé, frères...”» Peine perdue. Les kalachnikovs FÉVRIER 2011: tiraillent à tout-va pour passer sur Al-Jazira, crépitent. Des dizaines de manifestants sont «TON TOUR ARRIVE, la chaîne de télévision qatarie, sans se sou­ abattus dans et autour du lieu de culte. cier des civils, qui paient le prix des repré­ Le 30 mars, dans son premier discours de­ DOCTEUR». LE PIED sailles. L’une de ces factions, nommée puis le début de la contestation, Bachar Al- DE NEZ À BACHAR Front Al-Nosra, composée en partie d’ira­ Assad compare les indignés de Deraa à des kiens, va bientôt officialiser son allégeance «conspirateurs» à la solde d’Israël. «Ce dis­ AL-ASSAD, à Al-Qaida. cours a exaspéré encore un peu plus les gens OPHTALMOLOGUE Dans le sud, quelques salafistes jorda­ qui s’attendaient à des excuses», témoigne niens, en mal de djihad, ont rejoint Deraa. Jihad Al-Mahameed, l’un des initiateurs de la DE FORMATION, EST Mais les services de sécurité du royaume, marche fondatrice du 18 mars, qui travaillait EXPLICITE beaucoup plus professionnels que leurs ho­ à l’époque comme directeur d’une banque, mologues turcs, veillent au grain. Les desti­ et qui est, lui aussi, installé à Amman. nent les armes. Ils se revendiquent de l’Ar­ nataires des armes croates sont des groupes mée syrienne libre (ASL), une organisation labellisés «ASL», sans idéologie marquée, ARMES DE LA GUERRE YOUGOSLAVE créée au mois de juillet, par un colonel exilé que les opposants politiques qualifient de A la fin du mois, une colonne de chars pénè­ en Turquie, qui ambitionne de devenir le «modérés». Leur commandant est le colo­ tre dans Deraa, dont les sorties sont toutes bras militaire de la révolution. A l’automne, nel Ahmed Naameh, un ex-officier de l’ar­ bouclées. Le président a confié à son frère ces combattants en baskets et jeans mou­ mée régulière, connu pour sa méfiance à Maher, chef de la 4e division blindée, la lants mènent leurs premières attaques. l’égard des islamistes. garde prétorienne du régime, la responsabi­ En réaction, la répression s’intensifie. Des L’objectif de ces rebelles est de faire de lité de mater la ville rebelle. Des snipers milliers d’habitants de Deraa et des villages Deraa la tête de pont d’une offensive contre prennent position sur les toits et jusque agricoles environnants, qui se sont soulevés Damas, située une centaine de kilomètres dans les minarets des mosquées. Les militai­ dans son sillage, passent dans les chambres plus au nord. Des combattants formés en res pourchassent porte à porte les frondeurs de torture des moukhabarat. Des abattoirs, Jordanie, sous supervision américaine, sont et les quelques déserteurs qui les ont re­ où l’on pratique bastonnades, électrocu­ envoyés par vagues successives dans la joints. Au bout de dix jours, l’armée se retire, tions et viols à la chaîne. Les meneurs politi­ Ghouta, la banlieue de la capitale syrienne, pensant avoir purgé la ville de ses «groupes ques du mouvement sont particulièrement aux mains de l’opposition. Bien que le sud terroristes ». Mais en solidarité avec Deraa, ciblés. L’architecte Maan Al-Awdat, connu du pays soit beaucoup plus militarisé et for­ des manifestations ont éclaté un peu par­ comme le « Guevara du Hauran », est assas­ tifié que le nord, du fait de sa proximité avec tout dans le pays. Une révolution est née. siné par un franc-tireur le 8 août 2011. Israël, les anti-Assad, dopés par leur ravi­ «Je n'en croyais pas mes yeux, se remé­ «Bachar et sa clique veulent nous empêcher taillement en armes, enregistrent quelques more Mounir Al-Hariri, un ex-général des de réfléchir, nous enfermer dans le cycle de la victoires. Malgré les bombardements du ré­ services de renseignement, qui était alors vengeance et déclencher une guerre civile, gime, notamment l’emploi de barils explo­ en poste dans la ville voisine de Souweïda. prédit en mars 2012 Najati Tayara, un profes­ sifs, une arme dévastatrice, ils consolident Pour nous, les gens de la vieille génération, seur de philosophie, alors installé à Amman. leur emprise sur les quartiers sud de Deraa, qui connaissent les liens historiques de Et malheureusement, ils sont en train de réus­ désormais coupée en deux. Et ils avancent Deraa avec le Baas, il était inconcevable que sir. » Les révoltés de Deraa, qui s’étaient indi­ dans la campagne environnante. cette ville se soulève», ajoute ce haut gradé, gnés que le régime ait introduit des fusils et Leur plan subit un coup d’arrêt en réfugié à Amman, qui est l’un des rares res­ des liasses de billets dans la mosquée Al- avril 2013, lorsque les forces gouvernemen­ ponsables des moukhabarat (les renseigne­ Omari, en mars 2011, pour accréditer l’idée tales reprennent le contrôle d’Otaiba, à l’ex­ ments) à avoir fait défection. d’un complot de l’étranger, supplient désor­ trémité orientale de la Ghouta. Cette loca­ Du fait de sa localisation sur le plateau vol­ mais la communauté internationale de leur lité, reliée à la province de Deraa par une canique du Hauran, en lisière de la Jordanie envoyer des armes. route en plein désert, permettait aux insur­ et d’Israël, la cité a toujours été sensible aux Les premières arrivent fin 2012. Des avi­ gés du sud syrien d’infiltrer la banlieue de sirènes du nationalisme arabe, dont le parti ons croates, les soutes pleines de matériel Damas. Un mois plus tard, les rebelles au pouvoir a fait son fonds de commerce. Si­ hérité de la guerre civile yougoslave (missi­ perdent la ville de Khirbet Ghazaleh, gne de son loyalisme, la ville a fourni au ré­ les antichars, lance-grenades, canons sans maillon-clé sur l’autoroute menant de gime certains de ses plus hauts dignitaires, recul, etc.) se sont posés à Amman et leurs Deraa à la capitale, qu’ils étaient pourtant comme Fayçal Meqdad et le vice-président cargaisons ont discrètement franchi la sur le point de conquérir. Farouk Al-Chareh. frontière. Ces livraisons sont payées par A l’origine de ce fiasco, la rivalité acrimo­ «Si AtefNajib n’avait réagi comme il l’a fait, l’Arabie Saoudite, décidée à faire tomber Ba­ nieuse entre deux chefs de guerre rebelles, il n’y aurait peut-être pas eu de révolution, es­ char Al-Assad pour affaiblir l’Iran, allié de le colonel Naameh d’une part, et Bachar time Mounir Al-Hariri. Si Bachar était allé sur Damas et adversaire numéro un de Riyad au Zoabi de l’autre, commandant de la Brigade place, avait dédommagé les familles et puni Proche-Orient. La Jordanie, protégée du Yarmouk, l’un des plus puissants groupes son cousin, comme des notables le lui avaient royaume saoudien, structure cette filière armés du sud. Exaspéré que le premier, basé demandé lors d’une audience à Damas, tout d’armement clandestine. à Amman, ait accouru sur le terrain pour se Deraa serait descendue dans la rue pour l’ac­ Ses cadres sécuritaires, qui proviennent en filmer en train de proclamer victoire et que, clamer. » Tayssir Massalma, un militant des grande partie des tribus du nord, liées par le dans le même temps, le ravitaillement en droits de l’homme, originaire de la ville, sang aux populations du sud de la Syrie, ont munitions qu’il avait demandé ne lui soit nuançait en 2013: «Les enfants de Deraa ne pris langue avec les rebelles de Deraa. L’opé­ pas parvenu, le second avait ordonné à ses sont pas la raison de la révolution, ils en sont ration est conduite avec l’assentiment des hommes de se retirer de la ville, précipitant l’étincelle. La révolte aurait de toute façon fini Etats-Unis qui ont posé une condition : pas sa reprise par les loyalistes. par éclater, à cause des pratiques du régime». de missiles sol-air. Washington redoute L’épisode, emblématique des dissensions Durant la seconde moitié de l’année 2011, qu’en plus de détruire des appareils civils sy­ qui minent la rébellion, pèsera de longs les dissidents s’organisent. Ils se barricadent riens, ses tout nouveaux alliés ne ciblent mois sur le moral des insurgés. Un an plus dans les ruelles de la vieille ville, nommée aussi des avions israéliens. tard, en mai 2014, Ahmed Naameh est kid­ Deraa Al-Balad. Leurs rassemblements sont nappé par des membres du Front Al-Nosra. protégés par les conscrits qui ont jeté leur RIVALITÉ ACRIMONIEUSE ENTRE REBELLES Dans une vidéo enregistrée par ses ravis­ uniforme et par de jeunes locaux qui pren- La prudence est d’autant plus de mise que le seurs, son dernier signe de vie, le colonel af­

28 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti firme avoir orchestré la débâcle de Khirbet Israël, dont la République islamique est la et le kidnapping de plusieurs chauffeurs rou­ Ghazaleh à la demande de ses contacts ara­ bête noire. En plus de conduire des frappes tiers exaspèrent les Jordaniens qui ferment bes et occidentaux, inquiets du rôle joué ciblées contre ces éléments, l’Etat hébreu aussitôt leur frontière. L’épisode relance les par le groupe djihadiste dans l’offensive. s’est mis à fournir de l’aide humanitaire aux doutes, lancinants outre-Atlantique, sur la Bien qu’obtenue sous la pression et donc su­ Syriens du Golan, soignés par milliers dans capacité des rebelles à s’administrer et à faire jette à caution, cette « confession » souligne les hôpitaux de Galilée. Ce soutien inclura à barrage aux djihadistes. un phénomène exact : l’influence croissante partir de 2017 quelques livraisons d’armes à des capitales anti-Assad sur la rébellion de des groupes rebelles, censés faire la police le L’INCOHÉRENCE DE DONALD TRUMP Deraa. Depuis fin 2013, les chargements d’ar­ long de la zone de démarcation traversant Arrive septembre 2015, le démarrage de l’in­ mes qui lui parviennent sont gérés par une le plateau. tervention militaire russe en Syrie. Le tapis discrète cellule, installée à Amman, le Mili­ Le Front du Sud poursuit sa poussée au de bombes qui s’écrase sur les zones rebelles tary Operations Center (MOC). printemps 2015. Il s’impose à Bosra Al- du nord résout le dilemme des parrains du Des experts d’une dizaine de pays arabes Cham, une localité de l’est de Deraa. Puis, il Front du Sud. Plutôt que de surenchérir, les et européens - dont l’Arabie Saoudite, la déloge les loyalistes du terminal de Nassib, Etats-Unis et le royaume hachémite con­ Jordanie, le Qatar, les Emirats arabes unis, la à la frontière avec la Jordanie, carrefour cluent une trêve informelle avec Moscou. En France et le Royaume-Uni - participent à commercial-clé, par où transitent les mar­ échange d’un gel des combats, le Hauran et cette salle d’opérations, sous la baguette de chandises à destination du Golfe et de l’Eu­ le Golan échappent aux raids des Mig russes, l’Agence centrale de renseignement (CIA) rope. Mi-2015, le Front du Sud a étendu son qui se concentrent sur Alep. Le MOC or­ américaine. En plus de fournir des armes, emprise sur les deux tiers du Hauran et la donne alors à ses obligés de rediriger leur ar­ des formations et des salaires aux groupes moitié sud du plateau du Golan. Cette pro­ senal contre les groupes extrémistes du sud, jugés fiables, cette structure finance un site gression coïncide avec une avancée des re­ comme l’Armée de Khalid Ibn Walid, qui a Internet qui relaie leur propagande. Le MOC belles du nord qui, sous le commandement fait allégeance à l’EI. L’impératif antiterro­ n’a pas de droit de veto sur les plans d’atta­ du Front Al-Nosra, se sont emparés des vil­ riste finit de l’emporter sur les velléités de que des rebelles. Mais selon qu’il les valide les d’Idlib et de Jisr Al-Choghour. Et avec la changement de régime. ou non, l’aide offerte est plus ou moins conquête de la cité antique de Palmyre par En juillet 2017, l’entente jordano-américa- importante. l’EI. Pour la première fois depuis 2011, le ré­ no-russe est formalisée dans un accord de Ce système produit rapidement des résul­ gime vacille sur ses bases. «désescalade», signé par Donald Trump, le tats. En février 2014, après l’échec des négo­ Les combattants de Deraa n’iront cepen­ nouveau locataire de la Maison Blanche, et ciations de paix de Genève, 49 groupes es­ dant pas plus loin. La bataille qu’ils lancent son homologue du Kremlin, Vladimir tampillés «ASL», représentant près de en juillet 2015, à grand renfort de propa­ Poutine. Le cessez-le-feu s’enracine. Les re­ 30 000 combattants, se regroupent sous la gande, pour « libérer» les secteurs de la ville belles se mettent à espérer que leur sort bannière du Front du Sud. Cette coalition se qui leur échappent, capote au bout de quel­ pourrait être différent de celui de leurs ca­ dote d’un credo « MOC-compatible », met­ ques jours. «Le MOC a refusé de nous soute­ marades dAlep, poussés à la capitulation tant l’accent sur le pluralisme et la bonne nir sur cette attaque, de même qu’il a tou­ sous le blitz russe. Mais Donald Trump, qui gouvernance. jours refusé de nous fournir des missiles n’est pas à une incohérence près, annonce Même s’il intègre des factions d’inspira­ sol-air, qui nous auraient permis de protéger dans le même temps la fermeture du MOC. tion islamiste, ce rassemblement concrétise nos territoires contre les bombardements L’aide militaire et financière s’arrête en la domination, dans la région de Deraa, des incessants du régime», déplore Ibrahim Al- décembre. unités révolutionnaires, dotées d’un prisme Jabawi, l’ex-directeur de l’organe de Quand en mars 2018, la Ghouta ploie à son national. Par opposition aux formations communication du Front du Sud. «Le MOC tour sous les coups de massue de Damas et djihadistes, à l’optique transnationale, nous a donné suffisamment d’armes pour Moscou, la CIA recontacte ses clients de comme le Front Al-Nosra et l’EI, qui pullu­ harceler les troupes syriennes, mais jamais Deraa. Elle leur déconseille de reprendre les lent respectivement dans le nord et l’est de la assez pour marcher sur Damas, renchérit armes pour soulager la banlieue damas- Syrie. L’ancrage des rebelles du sud dans le Essam Al-Rayyes, un ancien porte-parole de cène, affirmant que dans un tel cas, tissu social local - conséquence du relatif en­ la rébellion. Ce que Bachar Al-Assad a reçu Washington ne pourrait pas s’opposer à des clavement de la région de Deraa et du fait de l’Iran et de la Russie a toujours été plus frappes russes. Les rebelles obtempèrent, que la Jordanie verrouille beaucoup mieux important. » persuadés que les Etats-Unis s’efforcent de sa frontière que la Turquie, par où s’infiltrent Même si l’administration Obama a appelé préserver la zone de «désescalade». Le des milliers d’extrémistes non syriens - à la chute de Bachar Al-Assad, ses deux prio­ département d’Etat agite même la menace contribue aussi à leur force. rités au Proche-Orient sont en fait la des­ de « réponses fermes et appropriées » en cas En octobre 2014, les anti-Assad s’emparent truction de l’EI et la conclusion de l’accord d’attaque du Kremlin et de son allié. Mais de la colline de Tel-Hara, l’un des points les sur le nucléaire iranien. Patronner une of­ mi-juin, quand les unités d’élite de l’armée plus élevés de la région sud, site d’implanta­ fensive contre Deraa en pleine phase finale syrienne se massent à l’entrée du Hauran, tion d’une base d’interception électronique des négociations, avec pour risque évident les insurgés reçoivent un message complè­ syro-russe. En décembre, ils investissent la de braquer Téhéran, le protecteur du régime tement différent de l’ambassade améri­ localité de Cheikh Miskin, menaçant ainsi syrien, n’est guère dans l’intérêt de caine dÂmman. « Vous ne devez pas fonder de couper la voie de ravitaillement des Washington. Dans l’esprit de ses soutiens vos décisions sur l’hypothèse ou sur l'attente quartiers nord de Deraa, restés sous occidentaux, le Front du Sud a vocation à d’une intervention militaire américaine. » contrôle gouvernemental. Cette percée in­ pousser Bachar Al-Assad à négocier, pas à le C’est le feu vert à l’opération de recon­ cite un baron des moukhabarat, Rustum faire tomber. «Notre destin n’est plus entre quête du sud. Ecœurés, démobilisés après Ghazaleh, à mettre le feu à sa villa, située nos mains, le conflit est devenu un grand jeu deux années de quasi-calme, parfois dans un village voisin, de peur qu’elle ne entre Washington, Moscou et Téhéran », achetés et « retournés » par le régime, les tombe entre les mains de ses ennemis - maugrée à l’époque le conseiller politique groupes armés hissent le drapeau blanc les Ghazaleh mourra quelques mois plus tard, d’un groupe rebelle. uns après les autres, le plus souvent sans en avril 2015, des suites d’une altercation La prudence est d’autant plus de mise dans combattre. Les forces gouvernementales se avec un autre patron des services de les capitales occidentales que la prise de redéploient dans la région de Deraa. Le sécurité syriens. Nassib a viré au fiasco. Les rebelles ont non berceau de la révolution est devenu son En février 2015, les rebelles repoussent seulement associé le Front Al-Nosra à leur cimetière. ■ une violente offensive des prorégime, em­ opération, en violation des consignes du BENJAMIN BARTHE menée par le Hezbollah, le mouvement MOC, mais ont été aussi incapables d’empê­ chiite libanais, allié d’Assad et financé par cher les pillages dans la zone franche adja­ Téhéran. Le fait que des forces pro-iranien- cente au terminal. Le saccage des usines et nes se rapprochent de sa frontière inquiète des entrepôts par les villageois des environs

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SM - -RUDAW zfi*'

area yet because of ongoing shelling. Iran artillery fire in Kurdistan Farzang Ahmad, mayor of the sub-district of Haji Omran, said Iran is shelling areas along the Region kills 2 PDKI fighters border, but no casualties have been immediately reported. The area is roughly 100 kilo­ By Rudaw. net 17/7/2018 metres northeast of Erbil. One civilian Iran has shelled areas inside and two Iranian IDAKAN, Kurdistan Region - the Kurdistan Region on several Kurdish occasions on the pretext of the pre­ SIran firing artillery across the Peshmerga were border into the Kurdistan Region kil­ sence of armed Kurdish groups on injured in its border. Some shepherds were led two members of a Kurdish oppo­ Iranian shelling sition group on Tuesday. displaced by shelling on Friday. in the Haji Turkey also carries out military "Unfortunately, two of our Omran area in Peshmerga, named Rahim Rostam campaigns within the Kurdistan from Mahabad and Idris Darwesh July 2017. File Region against the PKK. Turkish from Piranshar, joined the path our photo: Rudaw armed forces on Tuesday announ­ nation's martyrs,” a ced they had killed eight “terrorists” Local officials said the bom­ in their latest air operations. bardments have caused fires. Barbizen. The bombing has caused Video shared by The KRG has called on armed groups not to launch attacks against “The Islamic Revolutionary fires in the area, but claimed no human rights agency Hengaw neighboring countries from Guard Corps of the Islamic Republic lives,” Ihsan Chalabi, the mayor of appears to show a family fleeing Kurdistan Region territory. ■ of Iran on Tuesday afternoon inten­ town Sidakan, had initially told shelling in the area. sely bombed the villages of Rudaw. Mayor Chalabi said the fire Binerashken, Bane, Binpareza, Some villagers have evacuated department is on standby, but they Barhol, Barchikha, Katina, and their homes due to the shelling. have not been able to access the

NEWS Arabization, Islamization and Kurdish ban in occupied Afrin German Society for Threatened Peoples reported Arabization, Islamization and language bans in the northern Syrian Kurdish region of Afrin.

ANF GOTTINGEN Wednesday, 18 Jul 2018 https://anfenglish.com

erman Society for Threatened Peoples (Gesellschaft für bedrohte GVölker, GfbV) published a press release about the alarming atroci­ ties committed by the occupant Turkish army and allied mercenaries in Afrin. "While Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin talked about the conflict in Syria in Helsinki,Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan had his hench­ men murder, expel and expropriate people in occupied Afrin. All Kurdish scripts and signs have been removed and even Kurdish lessons at the schools will not be resumed after the holiday", reported the GfbV Middle East expert Kamal Sido, who comes from Afrin himself, in Gottingen on Tuesday. According to GfbV data, between 1 and 15 July, Kurdish activists documented around 120 abductions, 7 murders, 10 robberies and 27 for real estate," said Sido. The approximately 250,000 Kurds who fled raids during which the property of local people were destroyed. In addi­ Afrin due to Turkish aggression have no right to assert their claims. tion, four fields were set on fire. TheTurkish military has already brought tens of thousands of Arab "That's just the tip of the iceberg," said Sido. "Since the occupation radical Islamists into the Kurdish region. Many of these new settlers are of the Kurdish region on March 18, the Turkish military has abducted at armed and members of various Islamist groups. They support the least 3,000 Kurds. There are estimates that as many as 7,000 Kurds have Turkish occupation army and kill, torture and rob the Kurdish civilians disappeared. For fear of further attacks many affected families want to remaining in Afrin. In the once very liberal and open region, the Islamic remain unrecognized. Again and again, Turkish soldiers and Islamists Sharia law has been introduced practically. Women without heads- are seizing cellphones from civilians to find out who reports about their carves no longer dare to take to the streets. The cityscape is determined attacks." by men with long beards and women wearing Islamic niqab clothing. Fears of the Kurds losing their property to Arab-Sunni settlers from Through this Islamization, a Yazidi or Alevi life in Afrin is no longer pos­ other parts of the country are also justified. "Last week, the "legal sible. The approximately 1,000 people from the small Christian commu­ department" of the "local council" set up by the Turkish occupying nity have disappeared. • forces, ordered all residents to submit their purchase contracts. These will be reviewed to complete the allegedly necessary legal procedures

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Economist July 19th 2018

Turkey in Syria Turkey in SyriaTurkey struggles to keep the peace in Afrin Looting is on the rise, and residents are insurance against an IS resurgence. (It denies chafing under Islamist rule their links to the PKK.) Mr Erdogan is not per­ suaded. “We have told all our allies and friends AFRIN / Jul 19th 201 £ Workers’ Party (PKK), which has fought an insur­ not to stand between us and terrorists,” he said www.economist.com gency against it for three decades. The Turks earlier this year. The prospect of an escalation is insist they have no plans to annex Afrin, and not far-fetched. Insurgents allied with Turkey pledge to withdraw as soon as Syria’s war ends. THE scene in the centre of Afrin, a Kurdish city have clashed with American troops in eastern in north-western Syria, hardly inspires confi­ Get our daily newsletter Syria. dence in the future. A destroyed statue of a But the changes wrought by the incursion may Tensions between the two allies have recently mythical Kurdish hero is a reminder of the plun­ be hard to undo. Turkish ministers suggested eased. Under Turkish pressure, the Americans der of the city after its capture earlier this year by Afrin would become a magnet for some of the persuaded the YPG to withdraw from Manbij, Arab and Turkoman rebels backed by Turkish 400,000 Syrian Kurdish refugees in their country. which the Kurds captured from IS two years ago. tanks, from Kurdish rebels. The teenage son of However, it is mostly Arabs pouring into the Turkey and America also agreed to co-ordinate one of the Arab rebels peddles cigarettes, a rifle region. (The YPG has not helped, reportedly patrols. But Turkey now says that unless YPG across his knees. Another rebel directs traffic. stopping displaced Kurds from going home.) forces east of Manbij disarm, it will be only a Turkey argues it saved Afrin from terrorists and During a tour of the city organised by Turkish matter of time before Turkey attacks the group. boasts of opening schools and hospitals. authorities, your correspondent met refugees “The plan is for the YPG to go without a fight, but Residents are not exactly brimming with grati­ from Ghouta, the Damascus suburb bombed to if they want one we will give them one,” says one tude. “The Turkish soldiers are behaving decent­ ruins by Syrian and Russian warplanes. One Turkish diplomat. ly,” says a Kurdish merchant. “But the bearded wave of human misery was breaking over anoth­ ones are big trouble,” he adds, referring to But Turkey may have bitten off more than it can er. Islamist militants. “They’ve stolen so much.” chew. Security in Afrin is getting worse. A double Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, does bombing in June killed nine people. Reports of More than 100,000 civilians, and scores of not intend to reverse the tide. He has threatened infighting and looting continue to surface. People Kurdish fighters known as the People’s to take the war against the YPG into other parts in Afrin chafed under YPG rule, a local resident Protection Units (YPG), fled Afrin when the of Syria. This puts him on a collision course with says, but the insurgents who followed are worse. Turkish army and its proxies swept in. Turkey America, which teamed up with the Kurds “The Turks must make these monsters go considers the YPG an extension of the Kurdistan against Islamic State (IS) and still sees them as home.” •

EcoïSmbt July 19th 2018 Dancing with wolves President Erdogan’s alliance with the far right pays off

The Nationalist Movement Party and their Grey Wolves Movement Party (MHP), won over 11% in the parliamentary contest, twice as much as most ISTANBUL / Jul 19th 2018 alliance with the ruling Justice and Development polls predicted. The ruling AK party, which ended www.economist.com (AK) party. The ulkuculer, as they are colloquially up a few seats short of an outright majority, known, have landed scores of jobs in the depends on the nationalists for support. Despite bureaucracy amid the mass purges that followed TURKEY’S right-wing nationalists have seldom earlier speculation, Mr Erdogan, who took his the attempted coup of 2016. had it so good. The government of President oath on July 9th—flanked by democratic heavy­ Recep Tayyip Erdogan has embraced their main Theyhave emerged even stronger from the pres­ weights such as Venezuela’s president, Nicolas causes, bombing Kurdish insurgents at home idential and parliamentary elections held simul­ Maduro, and Sudan’s leader, Omar al-Bashir— and abroad, promoting militarism in education taneously on June 24th. Ulkucu voters helped did not appoint any MHP members to his cabi­ and using siege mentality as foreign policy. Their propel Mr Erdogan to a solid first-round victory. net. (Instead, he placed his son-in-law, the for­ supporters have reaped the rewards of an Their main political group, the Nationalist mer energy minister, in charge of the

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=* economy, a move the Turkish lira greeted by the union of all Turkic peoples as a remedy helped consummate the relationship. against the empire’s disintegration. During much losing 4% of its value against the dollar in a mat­ Especially today, under a new constitution that of the cold war, the ulkuculer were driven by ter of hours before rebounding slightly.) places the entire executive in Mr Erdogan’s opposition to communism. (The MHP’s armed hands, the MHP prizes its power in the bureau­ The ulkuculer, many of whom have connections wing, known as the Grey Wolves, spent years cracy much more than any cabinet seats, says to Turkey’s criminal underworld, have been cele­ fighting deadly street battles against leftists.) In Kemal Can, an expert on Turkey’s right. The brating their good fortune in style. Two days after the 1990s, the ulkuculer backed a scorched- nationalists will probably shy away from taking the election the MHP’s veteran leader, Devlet earth offensive against the armed Kurdistan an active role in economic and foreign policy, Bahceli, took out a full-page advert in a number Workers’ Party (PKK), accompanied by many says Mr Can, but they will make sure Mr of newspapers, naming and reprimanding every human-rights abuses, and opposed any expres­ Erdogan continues to tend to domestic affairs pollster and journalist who criticised him in the sion of Kurdish identity. run-up to the election. “We’ll never forget what with an iron fist. Although the government ended you did,” he wrote. Another prominent ulkucu, In the early years of AK rule, when Turkey the state of emergency this week, tough new Alaattin Cakici, a mafia boss convicted of order­ launched accession talks with the European laws will take its place. In his letter from prison, ing the assassination of his former wife, went Union and implemented a string of democratic Mr Cakici boasted about the power his men slightly further, threatening one of the journalists reforms, they receded from view. Their courtship wield within the police and the army. “You do not Mr Bahceli had listed, as well as six others, with with political Islam, which began in the late own the state,” he wrote, addressing Mr murder. 1970s, resumed in the 2010s after Mr Erdogan Erdogan. “The ulkuculer are the state’s founda­ ditched his liberal allies, broke off peace talks tion.” Founded in the 1960s, the MHP traces its line­ with the PKK and went to war with the Gulen This article appeared in the Europe section of age to the 19th century, when part of the community, a powerful sect. An attempted coup the print edition under the headline "Dancing Ottoman elite embraced ethnic nationalism and in 2016, which the Gulenists spearheaded, with wolves" •

ALJAZEERA 21 JULY 2018 At least 10 Iranian Revolutionary Guards killed in border attack Iranian border guards were killed by unidentified gunmen near the Iraqi border.

21 Jul 2018 www.aljazeera.com

t least 10 Iranian border guards have been killed in an overnight attack by unidentified gunmen near the border with Iraq, according Ato media in Iran. The incident took place near the town of Marivan, in a Kurdish area of Iran some 620km west of the capital, Tehran, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. "The attack by the evil rebels and terrorists against a revolutionary bor­ der post and the explosion of a munitions depot caused the martyrdom of 10 fighters," a statement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as quoted by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, said on Saturday. Provincial security official Hosein Khosheqbal told state television that 11 members of the Guards' voluntary Basij forces were killed in the overnight violence in Marivan, which he blamed on the Kurdish armed opposition The attack caused the largest number of Iranian troops killed in a group The Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK). single incident on the Iraqi border in recent years [File: Vahid "The latest news is that the Basij [the government-aligned militia] and Salemi/AP] Guards forces are in hot pursuit of the attackers," Khosheqbal said. by the Guards last month further north on the border. It was not immediately clear why there was a discrepancy in the number of fatalities reported. There is little coordination between Iranian and Iraqi forces over security of the porous border that has also been used by ISIL to enter Iran. It was the largest number of Iranian troops killed in a single attack on the border with Iraq in recent years, though the area has seen occasional figh­ Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi said on Tuesday that security ting between Iranian forces and Kurdish separatists as well as fighters linked forces in southwest Iran arrested four suspected ISIL operatives who were to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group. planning attacks. Earlier this month, the Guards said they had killed three fighters in a In June 2017, ISIL fighters carried out coordinated attacks at the parlia­ security operation near the border with Iraq. Nine others were reported killed ment building in Tehran and the mausoleum of Iranian revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini south of the capital, killing at least 18 people.*

www.news.cn Network. jg!" Kurdish PJAK claims Eight other IRGC forces were injured in the clash with Kurdish militant groups in west of Iran, official IRNA news agency reported. The "terrorist" attack targeted a military base in Dari village near responsibility for kil­ Marivan city in Kurdistan province, the report said. The PJAK said it launched the attack in retaliation to the killing of its ling 11 IRGC forces in Iran forces and the assassination of one of its members in the Sulaymaniyah province of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. The PJAK, an anti-Iranian Kurdish rebel group, is linked to Turkey's TEHRAN, July 21 (Xinhua) - outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK). The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) claimed responsibility for a Iran's western Kurdistan province has been the scene of bloody clash on Saturday, killing 11 forces of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards clashes between the Iranian security forces and the Kurdish rebels during Corps (IRGC), PJAK spokesperson Amed Shaho told Rudaw Media the past years. •

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felbnâe MARDI 17 JUILLET 2018 mique au sein des autorités fédé­ rales comme provinciales. La contestation sociale Le chômage - officiellement de 10,8 %, mais deux fois plus élevé chez les jeunes, dans un pays où s’étend dans le sud de l’Irak 60 % de la population a moins de 24 ans - est un problème majeur dans ces provinces, parmi les plus Des heurts opposent les forces de sécurité aux manifestants, dont la pauvres du pays. Alors que la majo­ mobilisation ne faiblit pas, en dépit des promesses du gouvernement rité des champs pétrolifères d’Irak, qui tire près de 90 % de ses ressour­ Irak est en proie à un vaste des routes, enflammer des pneus et Dans la région ces des hydrocarbures, se trouvent mouvement de contesta- attaquer les forces de sécurité est dans la région de Bassora, seule­ I tion sociale dans les pro­ une tentative de faire reculer le de Bassora, ment 1 % des emplois sont occupés vinces du Sud, qui a fait au moins pays », a plaidé le chef du gouver­ seulement 1 % par des travailleurs locaux, les cinq morts et des dizaines de bles­ nement, pour qui «des éléments compagnies pétrolières étrangè­ sés depuis une semaine. Lancé à du crime organisé» se tenaient des emplois du res employant essentiellement Bassora, la principale province pé­ «prêts à susciter le chaos». Il a or­ secteur pétrolier des étrangers. Dans d’autres ré­ trolière du pays, le 8 juillet, par des donné la réouverture de l’aéro­ gions du Sud, qui dépendent de habitants protestant contre la dé­ port de Nadjaf, envahi vendredi sont occupés par l’agriculture, l’interdiction de liquescence des services publics, par des manifestants. Trois com­ des travailleurs planter des cultures comme le riz le chômage et la corruption endé­ pagnies internationales avaient et le maïs, décrétée du fait d’une mique, le mouvement s’est durci annoncé plus tôt la suspension de locaux sécheresse record cet été, a provo­ et s’étend désormais à toutes les leurs vols vers la ville sainte chiite. tamment à Bagdad et dans les qué la colère des agriculteurs. provinces du Sud chiite. Les promesses sociales et les provinces du Sud. Le soutien exprimé, vendredi, Dimanche 15 juillet, de nou­ mesures sécuritaires n’ont pas aux manifestants par le grand veaux heurts ont opposé les for­ suffi à juguler le mouvement. Sa­ Corruption endémique ayatollah Sistani, la plus haute ces de sécurité aux manifestants, medi soir, le gouvernement avait Ce black-out imposé par les auto­ autorité chiite d’Irak, a galvanisé qui ont tenté de bloquer des ins­ annoncé une allocation immé­ rités a jusqu’à présent permis la contestation. Elle cible le gou­ tallations pétrolières à Bassora et diate de 3 milliards de dollars d’empêcher que le mouvement vernement, mais aussi les partis se sont attaqués à des bâtiments pour la province de Bassora, outre ne s’étende à la capitale, où les chiites sortis vainqueurs des élec­ gouvernementaux et des sièges des annonces d’investissement manifestations sont restées limi­ tions législatives et l’Iran, que les de partis politiques dans plu­ dans l’habitat, les écoles, la santé, tées. Dans le Sud chiite, les mani­ manifestants accusent d’ingé­ sieurs villes, faisant au moins les réseaux d’électricité et d’eau. festants se disent déterminés à rence dans les affaires du pays. deux morts à Samawa et des di­ Parallèlement, un couvre-feu a persévérer du fait d’une situation Après un taux d’abstention re­ zaines de blessés à Bassora et Nas­ été décrété dans les principales en constante dégradation, deve­ cord aux législatives du 12 mai, le siriya parmi les manifestants et villes du sud et plusieurs ba­ nue particulièrement explosive désarroi envers la classe politique, les forces de l’ordre. taillons de l’armée et des forces durant l’été. Alors que les tempé­ jugée corrompue, s’est amplifié, Le premier ministre, Haïder Al- antiterroristes ont été déployés ratures avoisinent les 48 °C, les alors que la formation d’un gou­ Abadi, a durci le ton, dimanche, en renfort. Depuis vendredi soir, provinces du Sud souffrent de vernement est suspendue à un re­ dénonçant les actes violents l’accès à Internet et aux réseaux coupures d’électricité et d’eau ré­ comptage des bulletins, sur fond autour des manifestations. «Pro­ sociaux, utilisés par des activistes currentes et de services publics d’accusation de fraudes. ■ fiter des manifestations pour brû­ qui ont rejoint la mobilisation, est défaillants, le tout en grande par­ HÉLÈNE SALLON ler des bâtiments publics, couper coupé presque tout le temps, no- tie imputé à la corruption endé­ Erdogan abroge l’état d’urgence 19 Juillet 2018 mais poursuit les purges

Il aura fallu pas moins de se poursuivre dans le cadre le coup d’Etat raté du été définitivement licenciés. 77 0 00 arrestations et des lois actuelles», a insisté 15 juillet 2016. Seulement 42000 ont réin­ 150 000 limogeages et sus­ Ankara. Erdogan ne compte pas s’ar­ tégré leur poste. Le person­ pensions pour, semble-t-il, Mais voilà, le cadre législatif rêter là. Une nouvelle loi an­ nel ainsi purgé a continué à apaiser la conscience de Re­ a évolué. Ainsi, la révision titerroriste doit être discutée percevoir un salaire le temps cep Tayyip Erdogan, réélu de la Constitution turque, cette semaine au Parlement de l'enquête, assure l’ambas­ en juin à la tête de l’Etat turc. votée par référendum en Elle devrait reprendre, dans sade de 'Turquie en France. Deux ans après la tentative avril 2017, est entrée en vi­ les grandes lignes, les mesu­ Des mesures «musclées», de coup dT.tat qui a ébranlé gueur le 16 juillet. Et le pré­ res appliquées pendant l’état pour l’ambassadeur, qui la Turquie, l’état d’urgence sident turc en ressort d’urgence. La durée maxi­ n’ont visé que des personnes arrive à son terme. Et pas grandi : pouvant gouverner male de garde à vue devrait liées au mouvement Gülen. question cette fois de le pro­ par décrets, il dispose ainsi ainsi passer de quatorze à Mais les médias critiques, longer. Le régime d’excep­ des mêmes pouvoirs que lui douze jours, contre cinq les opposants prokurdes tion a permis de traquer en octroyait l’état d’urgence. jours avant juillet 2016. En ainsi que les ONG ont égale­ masse les partisans suppo­ C’est par décret-loi que le outre, les ministres dispose­ ment été victimes de la ré­ sés de Fethullah Gülen, président turc a limogé ront du pouvoir de limoger, pression. La situation de­ l’imam accusé par Erdogan quelque 18000 fonctionnai­ sans passer par la justice, vrait perdurer malgré la fin d’avoir fomenté le putsch res début juillet, dernière tout fonctionnaire qu’ils de l’état d’urgence. L’excep­ manque. Mais les purges ter­ «rafle» censée conclure les considéreraient «suspect». tion est désormais devenue minées, «la lutte contre le purges. La méthode a été Depuis juillet 2016, la règle. terrorisme va [quant à elle! utilisée à 35 reprises depuis 126 655 fonctionnaires ont CAROLINE VINET

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July 19, 2018 Putting Iraq-KRG Oil Relations on Solid Legal Ground

James F. Jeffrey and Bilal Wahab July 19, 2018 Yet the second paragraph of Article 112 implies https://www.washingtoninstitute.org a distinction between old and new oil, with 2005 as the dividing line. It asserts that “the otwithstanding their decades of conten­ federal government, with the producing region­ tion, the two governments must resolve al and governorate governments, shall together Ntheir differences legally to make way for ecoformulate­ the necessary strategic policies to nomic development and stave off public develop the oil and gas wealth.” The KRG unrest. therefore premises all hydrocarbon production, excluding its claims to Kirkuk, on “new oil” Despite their country producing 4.3 million bar­ provisions covered by the “together” phrase, rels of oil per day, Iraq’s population remains which is not found in the article’s first para­ poor. Gathering in the streets of southern towns, graph. In its view, this phrasing also supersedes case against the KRG, while Kurdish officials masses are protesting government corruption, the “exclusive authorities” granted to Baghdad are pleased to see the court question the two power shortages, and high unemployment rates. in Article 110. constitutional articles cited by Baghdad as Consequently, the government must refocus its grounds for indictment. The court has also put attention on economic prosperity and the daunt­ However these differing interpretations are ulti­ the onus of formulating a national oil law on ing financial demands of reconstruction follow­ mately reconciled, Article 112 clearly gives the Baghdad, since the KRG passed its own natural ing years of war against the Islamic State. To government a mandate to pass legislation regu­ resources law in 2007. that end, it should resolve its dispute with the lating the shared management of production, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) over sale of crude oil, and the distribution of rev­ Moreover, past budget laws passed by the management of the oil and gas sector. Doing so enues. Due to constant power wrangling, national parliament required the KRG to con­ would be the first of many crucial steps toward though, these constitutional provisions have not tribute certain oil export earnings to the coun­ injecting rule of law back into the energy indus­ yet been translated into regulations, let alone try’s overall exports—a practice that Erbil cites try. clear laws. In a major push during 2007-8, the as clear recognition that its independent exports United States offered to mediate a new hydro­ are legitimate. One deal in 2015 had the KRG Currently, a messy but promising case to adju­ carbons law, but both Baghdad and the KRG and federal government equitably split the pro­ dicate management rights over these disputed decided to stick with their self-serving interpre­ ceeds of 150,000 barrels per day produced in resources sits before Iraq's Supreme Court. tations of the constitution. the Kirkuk fields, whose oil can only be export­ Should the case progress constructively, it will ed via the Kurdish pipeline to Turkey. Today, pressure the newly elected parliament to priori­ The Kurds, eyeing the exit door from Iraq, however, federal authorities refuse to export tize passage of a national hydrocarbons law. sought to build an independent petroleum that oil, avoiding KRG infrastructure at all This in turn would infuse much-needed confi­ industry, inviting international oil companies costs. By so doing, they limit Iraq’s northern dence into Iraq’s risk-laden energy sector and (IOCs) to look for hydrocarbons in their territo­ export outlet—a self-defeating approach at a invite greater foreign investment to boost pro­ ry. They also began independently exporting oil time when protests could threaten the flow of duction and revenues. Moreover, Kurdish in January 2014 and contracted with Turkey to crude from the south. recognition of the federal court foreshadows a export gas, in clear violation of Article 110. more realistic approach to energy—one that Today, the KRG independently exports almost ONE COUNTRY, TWO INDUSTRIES aims to salvage and de-risk the KRG oil indus­ 300,000 barrels of oil per day via Turkey. try through better coordination, if not integra­ The ongoing legal vacuum has essentially bifur­ tion, with the federal industry. For its part, Baghdad seeks to remain the locus cated Iraq’s energy industry. Although building of such decisionmaking; accordingly, it claims an energy industry from naught was quite a feat REENERGIZED AMBIGUITIES ownership of the KRG’s oil exports and refuses for the KRG, its main goals—staving off the to recognize Kurdish deals with IOCs. In effect, central government and building the economic In 2005, Iraq’s new constitution enshrined fed­ Baghdad acts as if Article 112 regulates all oil, foundation for a independence—led it to over­ eralism and the equitable sharing of oil and gas including “new” oil—a stance that seems to reach at times, such as when it commandeered revenues. As the basis for its case that the KRG violate the constitution just as surely as Erbil’s Kirkuk oil fields and revenues during the war is supposed to take part in this arrangement, unilateral exports do. against the Islamic State. The Kurdish energy Baghdad cites three articles of the Iraqi consti­ industry also became increasingly less transpar­ tution. Article 110 stipulates that the federal COURT BATTLE ent as KRG officials sought to evade Baghdad. government shall have “exclusive authorities” in formulating “foreign sovereign economic In 2012, the federal government took the KRG Yet federal authorities refused to give the KRG and trade policy,” presumably including the to the Supreme Court over the legality of its oil a break from day one. They declared Erbil’s trade in hydrocarbons, which account for over contracts and independent exports. But the production-sharing contracts illegal, blacklisted 95 percent of Iraq’s exports. Article 111 estab­ KRG deliberately neglected to appear before any interested IOCs, and sued buyers. Short­ lishes that oil and gas are owned by all the peo­ the court until April of this year. term and short-lived deals replaced law-based ple of Iraq. And the first paragraph of Article policy and strategy. Between 2013 and 2016, 112 stipulates that “present” oil and gas fields So far, the court has not made any rulings, Erbil intermittently recognized Baghdad’s shall be managed by the central government requesting more information on the petroleum determinant role by turning its oil over to the alongside “the producing governorates and value chain instead. While the next and, per­ central government for export. In return, regional governments,” essentially continuing haps, final hearing will take place on August 14, Baghdad’s acceptance of this arrangement indi­ Saddam Hussein's arrangements at the time of both parties are encouraged by the proceedings rectly recognized the legality of the KRG’s con­ the constitution’s enactment. thus far. Federal officials feel they have a strong tracts. The Kurds also received their share •+

34 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

»+ of country-wide oil export earnings: around handshakes for regulated production handovers sanctions-busting efforts. 17% in most budgets up until recently. But var­ and revenue sharing is unsustainable. Mutually ious technical disputes and instances of over­ destructive approaches hamper the progress of To that end, the priority of the next Iraqi gov­ reach by both sides scotched several of these the Iraqi oil sector, which seeks to reintegrate ernment should be passing a national hydrocar­ initiatives. and recover in a competitive market. In stand­ bons law and constructing inclusive state insti­ ing before the Supreme Court, the KRG has an tutions that reflect the constitution. The disputes have also opened a door for more opportunity to cash out on the constitution, the Rationalizing Iraq’s petroleum sector is neces­ Iranian influence. Last month, Baghdad and forging of which was one of its main institu­ sary to maximize revenue and formulate eco­ Tehran agreed to swap 30,000 barrels of Kirkuk tional and legal achievements in the post- nomic policies needed to cope with recent pub­ oil, with Iraqi oil feeding Iranian refineries and Saddam era. And Baghdad cannot simply play lic protests. The United States should resume Iran delivering equal amounts of its own oil to the bully now that it is dealing with the KRG’s the assistance it extended in 2007-8 toward Iraq’s Persian Gulf ports. Warming oil relations international energy partners, which include passing an oil and gas law. It should also sup­ could potentially enable Iran to evade U.S. Russia’s Rosneft and Turkey’s BOTAS. port the court proceedings as a positive prece­ energy sanctions, reminiscent of Baghdad’s dent for conflict resolution, while offering the own evasion methods in the 1990s, when Iraqi TOWARD RULE OF LAW technical advice the court needs to pass a fair oil tankers flew Iranian flags. judgment. Baghdad and the KRG are both Allowing courts to settle Iraq’s oil disputes is a receptive to such assistance. • Going forward, the balance of power has clear­ principle worth supporting, since a transparent, ly tipped in Baghdad’s favor given Erbil’s cost­ rule-based energy industry is in the interest of James F. Jeffrey is the Philip Solondz ly independence referendum, its loss of control all parties. Among other benefits, resolving the Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute over Kirkuk’s oil fields, and its dire need for oil issue would help untangle Baghdad and the and former U.S. ambassador to Iraq and Turkey. cash flow from Iraqi coffers. Yet Baghdad also KRG’s disputes over territory. It would also Bilal Wahab is the Institute’s Nathan and Esther K. realizes that the KRG energy industry is here to undercut Iran’s influence, limit its opportunities Wagner Fellow. stay. And continuing to substitute gentleman’s for oil smuggling, and aid efforts to spot its

\v* - 5 RUDAW z. 16 JULY 2018 KDP, PUK join multi-party talks on forming next Iraqi government

ByRudaw.net 18/7/2018 project for all problems between Baghdad and Kurdistan including economic, legal, and territorial dis­ RBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi President Fuad Masum chaired putes.” The acting government is cur­ aE meeting of some representatives of political parties in Baghdad on rently facing a crisis. Iraqis angry about unemployment, government Wednesday evening. Vice President Nouri al-Maliki corruption, and lack of services have taken to the streets every day for said they discussed three subjects: ongoing protests, formation of the over a week. Sporadic violence has new government, and preparation of broken out in the protests. an agenda for the new cabinet. Abadi has appealed to the politi­ Fazil Mirani of the Kurdistan cal parties for help in appeasing the Democratic Party (KDP) and Mala protesters. Bakhtiar of the Patriotic Union of Bakhtiar said protesters “have some legitimate demands” and Kurdistan (PUK) were the only KDP's Fazil Mirani (2nd from right) and PUK's Mala Bakhtiar stressed the importance of the court representatives of Kurdish parties (2nd from left) join Sunni and Shiite leaders for talks in ratifying final elections results so present at the meeting. Baghdad on Wednesday. Photo: Rudaw Also in attendance were head of that the new government can be for­ the Hikma party Ammar al-Hakim, med and get to work. multiple negotiations over the weeks government. Masum said the parties that met Vice President Osama al-Nujaifi, Dhia al-Asadi of Sadr’s Sayirun after the vote as parties jostle for The two Kurdish parties - who at the presidential palace all agreed alliance, and Kazim al-Shemari of position while waiting for results to together secured 43 seats in the the demands of the protesters are “just,” but stressed the need to stem the Wataniya coalition. be finalized. contested results - have said they Bakhtiar said that parties with a are open to uniting with other No representative of the party of violence. current Prime Minister Haider al- shared vision should ally together. Kurdish parties. That looks unlikely The parties “showed support for Abadi was present. “Parties that have shared inte­ at the moment. the Iraqi government to take proper measures in fulfilling the demands “All the participating political par­ rests and views can form the biggest The Change Movement ties and parliamentary blocs deci­ bloc and establish the government,” (Goran), the Coalition for made by protesters. They also stres­ sed that law and order should be ded to accept the final results of the he told reporters after the meeting. Democracy and Justice (CDJ), the parliamentary election,” read a sta­ He noted that neither the Shiite Kurdistan Islamic Group (Komal), respected, security and stability should be protected, chaos should tement from Masum’s office, adding nor Sunni parties have formed majo­ and the Kurdistan Islamic Union that the result of the manual recount rity alliances so far: “Only in (KIU), which combined secured 15 be prevented, public and private ins­ Kurdistan are the majority of seats titutions should be protected, sho­ is expected soon. seats, have disputed the May 12 Iraq held parliamentary elec­ allied.” election results, ordering a full wing support for security forces to manual recount of votes. They prevent troublemakers who have tions on May 12, but the results have The KDP and PUK have agreed to join forces to negotiate with Iraqi accuse the KDP and PUK of rigging been disputed and a manual recount infiltrated the protesters and exploi­ the election. ted the situation to realize their is underway. parties in Baghdad in a bid to streng­ then the position of Kurds who some objectives,” the statement read. ■ No single party received a “The KDP and PUK came toge­ pundits believe could play a kingma­ ther to Baghdad and will be together strong mandate from voters and alliances will be key to forming the ker role since Shiite parties are divi­ in the future,” said Bakhtiar. “Plus, ded over the shape of the next next government. There have been KDP and PUK will have a shared

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international ;\ÏUi1)ork cimes July 19, 2018 Cooperating in Syria, up to a point

WASHINGTON

U.S.-Russia relations are less rosy than the nations’ leaders imply

BY ERIC SCHMITT AND THOMAS GIBBONS-NEFF

Despite political tensions between the United States and Russia, the two na­ tions’ militaries are cooperating closely — particularly in Syria, President Trump and President Vladimir V. Putin have said. But their record of collaboration — or at least efforts to avoid conflict — in the war in Syria is far more mixed. After his meeting with Mr. Trump in Helsinki, Finland, Mr. Putin said in a joint news conference on Monday that military cooperation in Syria could be “the first showcase example of the suc­ A Syrian soldier leaned against a truck while Russian military police cessful joint work” between the two Cold operated in the background in Dara’a Province, Syria. War rivals. He noted that communica­ tion channels between the two coun­ tries’ militaries have been able to “avoid dangerous incidents and unintentional American officials called it a repeated collisions in the air and in the ground.” military relations, General Dunford’s pattern of Russia violating an agree­ “Our militaries do get along very well, spokesman said. It was their first face- ment to keep rival forces separate as to-face meeting since March 6, 2017, in and they do coordinate in Syria and they converged on the last main pocket Antalya, Turkey. They also.met on Feb. other places,” Mr. Trump chimed in on of Islamic State militants in the country. 16,2017, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Monday. “Our militaries actually have American and Ruşsian commanders General Dunford has spoken with gotten along probably better than our had agreed to fly on opposite sides of a General Gerasimov more than a dozen political leaders, for years.” 45-mile stretch of the Euphrates River times by phone in the past year or so. Yet it is not clear what room there is to prevent accidents in eastern Syria’s “Both leaders recognize the impor­ for close ties in Syria — other than pre­ increasingly congested skies. But Rus­ tance of maintaining regular communi­ venting clashes on the ground or sian warplanes violated that deal a half- cation in order to avoid miscalculation crashes in the sky — given Russia’s dozen times daily, according to Ameri­ backing pf the government of President and to promote transparency in areas can commanders who said they com­ where our militaries are operating in Bashar àl-Assad of Syria and the United plained to their counterparts. States’ support for rebel factions. close proximity,” Lt. Cmdr. Hayley Sims, In one instance, two Air Force A-10 at­ a Dunford spokeswoman, said in an Russian mercenaries have battled tack planes flying east of the Euphrates email. American commandos and their Syrian River nearly collided with a Russian Kurdish allies. Russian and American Su-24 Fencer just 300 feet away — a BOUNDARIES BREACHED warplanes have nearly collided. Nearly three years ago, the Russian and Here are five areas where the Ameri­ can and Russian militaries have crossed American militaries established a spe­ American and Russian officers in paths in Syria over the last year. cial hotline to help prevent disasters in Syria talk frequently to prevent the air. the two militaries from jousting THE GENERALS A United States Air Force officer at A1 Udeid Air Base in Qatar calls a Russian in increasingly close quarters. The two nations’ top military officers, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chair­ officer at an air base in Latakia, Syria, every day to head off — or “deconflict” man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. close call for jets flying at more than 350 — potential problems over Syria. Valery V. Gerasimov, Russia’s chief of miles per hour. The A-lOs swerved to The daily phone calls between the air the general staff, meet occasionally. avoid the Russian plane, which was sup­ officers have remained professional. They talk more frequently — mainly to posed to fly only west of the Euphrates. help prevent the two militaries from But the dialogue does not always trans­ Other Russian planes have flown for jousting in increasingly close quarters late into cooperation in the skies. up to 30 minutes within striking dis­ in Syria. Last December, Russian fighter jets tance or directly over allied ground The generals met on June 8 in Hel­ flew dangerously close to American forces, escalating tensions and risking sinki to discuss Syria, security in Eu­ warplanes in eastern Syria — including being shot down, • American officials rope and overall United States-Russia one near collision — for about a month. said.

36 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

PAVEL GOLOVKIN/ASSOCIATED PRESS Russian planes at a base in Syria. American and Russian commanders agreed to fly on opposite sides of the Euphrates River.

American officers said the violations “Our warnings have been left un­ Following the battle, the Russian mili­ were an effort by Moscow to test Ameri­ heard,” Russia’s ambassador to the tary started to electronically jam some can resolve, bait Air Force pilots into United States, Anatoly Antonov, American aircraft and drones. rash reactions and help the Syrian Army tweeted after the attacks. “We are being seize and control territory ahead of di­ threatened. We warned that such ac­ CEASE-FIRES FALL APART plomatic talks. tions will not be left without conse­ Earlier this month, rebels in southwest­ quences.” ern Syria agreed to surrender in a Rus­ U.S. CRUISE MISSILE STRIKES sian-brokered cease-fire, giving up con­ Moscow has played small but geopoliti- RUSSIAN MERCENARIES ATTACK trol of Dara’a Province in another major cally significant roles in the two Ameri­ On Feb. 7, nearly 500 pro-Syrian govern­ victory for Mr. Assad and his Russian al­ can cruise missile strikes that in April ment fighters attacked a small Ameri­ lies. 2017 targeted an airfield and a year later can outpost east of the Euphrates River. State news media reported that the hit two possible chemical weapons sites The American troops there — a mixture Syrian government seized back the Nas- and a chemical research lab. of Special Operations forces including sib border crossing with Jordan, which Moscow has been a key ally for Mr. Army Rangers and the elite Delta Force was held by rebels for three years, after Assad, who has used the Russian mili­ — were training and fighting alongside a an assault in insurgent territory that tary to prop up Syria’s weakened army. group of Kurdish fighters called the Syr­ was backed by Russian airstrikes. In turn, Russia has established a perma­ ian Democratic Forces. The area had been part of a so-called nent presence at a key airfield and port American military officials had de-escalation zone, a cease-fire reached in western Syria. watched the pro-Syrian government last year by Jordan, Russia and the In the 2017 strikes, the Pentagon fighters gathering for roughly a week United States to reduce fighting. The alerted Moscow before 59 Tomahawk and had intercepted radio transmis­ Trump administration had warned be­ cruise missiles hit A1 Shayrat Airfield, sions from people speaking Russian fore the Russian airstrikes that Wash­ ensuring that no Russian forces were among them. Attempting to stave off a ington would respond to violations of the killed or injured. Moscow said the potential battle — one that could lead to agreement. strikes were couched under a “far­ a wider conflict — officials at the Penta­ In the end, however, the administra­ fetched pretext” and had put the Rus­ gon alerted their Russian counterparts. tion did nothing, and rebel leaders have sian military on “the verge of fighting” It was to no avail; Moscow denied said the United States told them to ex­ American troops stationed in Syria’s that the Russian fighters on the ground pect no American military help. northeast. were connected to Russia’s military. As a result, Russia increased air pa­ What ensued was a four-hour firefight trols near American troops in Syria. It that wounded one pro-American Kurd­ also bolstered Syrian air defenses with ish fighter, and killed hundreds of Rus­ more advanced surface-to-air missiles. sians and Syrians. The Pentagon called In response, the United States Air Force the incident an act of self-defense. Doz­ deployed additional advanced-fire air­ ens of American airstrikes forced the craft to ensure no Russia forces attacked pro-Syrian government forces into re­ American ground troops. treat, leaving the dead on the battlefield This past April, the Pentagon was and collected later. even more wary of a Russian military While the number of casualties from response after Mr. Trump launched a the firefight is disputed, American intel­ larger strike against the Syrian chemi­ ligence officials have said the Russians cal weapons program. were mercenaries who belonged to the Though American military intelli­ shadowy Wagner group, a private mili­ gence officials expected blowback from tary company known for acting on be­ the Russians, Moscow leveled only half of the Kremlin with little oversight. strong words at the Trump administra­ The mercenaries loosely coordinate tion. Russian air defenses were not acti­ with the Russian military in Syria, and, vated as American, French and British in the past, have seized oil and gas fields aircraft fired salvos of missiles. on behalf of Mr. Assad’s government.

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In latest shuffle, Baghdad replaces Kirkuk’s Kurdish Health official with Turkmen

Sangar Ali I July 18-2018 kurdistan24.net The latest one is the Director-General of Health in Kirkuk. According to an official letter obtained by Kurdistan 24, Iraq’s Health Minister Adila ERB1L (Kurdistan 24) - The Iraqi Health Ministry has ordered the Hmoud Hussein issued a formal order on July 11 to replace the current removal of a Kurdish official in the ethnically-diverse province of Kirkuk, Kurdish Director-General, Sabah Zangana, with Karim Wali, an ethnic replacing him with a Turkmen individual. Turkmen. Kirkuk is an oil-rich province located south of the Kurdistan Region The order also mentions that the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider and north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. The multi-ethnic region has a al-Abadi approved the change in the administration post. diverse population made up of Kurds, Turkmen, Arabs, and Christians. The official order from Iraq's Health Minsitry to replace Kirkuk's Kurds account for the majority of the population. Director-General Sabah Zangana. The province is one of the disputed territories between the Kurdistan Kurdish lawmakers from Kirkuk have previously stressed to Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Federal Government of Iraq. 24 that since Oct. 16 the province is witnessing a campaign of “forceful Iraqi forces and Iran-backed Shia militias have been in control of demographic change” that aims to weaken the Kurds in Kirkuk. Kirkuk since driving Kurdish Peshmerga forces from the province last The former Iraqi Ba’ath regime, under Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship, October. implemented Arabization campaigns in Kirkuk Province and other Since then, many Kurdish officials have been removed from their Kurdish-populated areas in Nineveh, Salahuddin, and Diyala. posts and replaced with non-Kurdish ethnic groups, among them are the The campaign was meant to change the demography of the areas by Governor, Kirkuk’s Security Director, Agriculture Director-General, the forcibly displacing the Kurdish residents and replacing them with Arabs Mayors of Kirkuk city, Dibis, Daquq, and Khurmatu, as well as the District from central and southern Iraq. ♦ and Suburban Police Director.

JULY 23, 2018

anything we are aware that the Islamic republic is capable of terrorist actions. Twice in 2015 and 2017, they planted bombs in our camps,” Kako Alyar, a mem­ Iran warns KRG after ber of the Central Committee of the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, told Kurdistan24. “Fortunately, no life was lost.” “Now that pressure from inside the country [protests, lack of legitimacy, and heavy clashes with non-consensus among high officials] and from the international community has considerably increased, the regime tries its best to blame the Kurdish and other opposition parties and legitimize any terror acts, but we are aware of Kurds along border that and take necessary measures,” he added. Wladimir van Wilgenburg July 23-2018 Iran has carried out several assassinations against Iranian Kurdish opposition http://www.kurdistan24.net groups in recent months. ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - The Iranian Deputy Interior Minister for Security Two PDK-I Peshmerga fighters were targeted in a blast in Erbil’s subdistrict of Affairs, Hossein Zolfaqari, indirectly criticized the Kurdistan Regional Binaslawa on March 1. The explosion killed Sabah Rahmani, 33, and wounded Government (KRG) on Monday and warned Tehran would take matters into his father. its own hands if Iranian Kurdish groups don’t stop its struggle inside Iran. On March 7, Qadir Qadiri, a senior Kurdish Peshmerga Commander of the (KDP- He called out “some neighboring countries for not preventing recent insecuri­ Iran), was killed in Sulaimani’s Rania city. ty along common borders and warned that if they fail to act, the Islamic According to Ahmedi, there is no coordination between Turkey and Iran on Republic will target terrorist strongholds in the countries,” the Tasnim News attacks against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and other Iranian Kurdish Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), groups in the border area. reported. Last Sunday, there were heavy clashes between PJAK, a PKK-affiliate, and Iran The comments come after both the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan forces. (PDKI) and the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) fought heavy battles with Iranian forces. “I don’t think there is coordination between Turkey and Iran. People tend to see these regions as one, but they target specific bases,” he explained, adding Last week, Iranian cross-border shelling killed two PDKI fighters, and injured Iran targets civilian-populated areas “to upset and anger the people of the civilians. region and to incite them to put pressure on our Peshmerga in that region.” Moreover, PJAK killed 10 Iranian border guards last Saturday in response to the “The fact that they managed to kill two Peshmerga is something that happens assassination of Iranian Kurdish activist Iqbal Muradi in the Kurdistan Region’s in war. But we have not seen any signs of coordination between Turkey and Penjwen on Wednesday, and the death of four PJAK fighters in clashes in Iran,” the PDKI official said about Tehran’s latest cross-border shelling. Mariwan and Paveh. Dr. Jonathan Spyer, Director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Loghman H. Ahmedi, Member of the Executive Board of PDKI's Leadership, Analysis, told Kurdistan 24 the uptick in conflict might be meant to build “pres­ told Kurdistan 24 this is not the first time Iran has threatened Iranian Kurdish sure on the Iranian regime.” groups. “I think there is a clear decision by Iranian Kurdish groups to revive and inten­ “They have made several threats. They use the words ‘anti-revolutionary/zde sify armed activity, probably in light of the more general unrest in Iran and pos­ enghlab’ to refer to us. They said they would attack our bases, assassinate our sibly with a tacit green light from elements in the US administration,” he said. leadership wherever they can find them, all over the world. These threats have to be taken seriously,” Ahmedi said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday denounced the Iranian regime as “a nightmare for the Iranian people.” “Their actual ability to carry out these threats is limited in the sense that they wouldn’t be able to make a ground invasion,” he added. The KRG, meanwhile, has called on Tehran to end its indiscriminate shelling of areas near the Kurdish border and asked Iranian Kurdish fighters to avoid using “We have always taken this kind of threats seriously, even when they don’t say the Region to attack its neighboring state. ♦

38 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

^JERUSALEM POST -w 22,201s Iran and Turkey pressure Kurdish groups on different fronts TURKEY AND Iran had rocky relations up until 2017, when they began to work more closely with Russia under the Astana peace process on Syria.

By Seth J. Frantzman / July 22, 2018 www.jpost.com A KURDISH People's leven Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Protection Units Eand Basij militia members were killed (YPG) fighter and eight were wounded in the Iranian bor­ walks near resi­ der town of Marivan on Friday. Iranian and dents who had Turkish media highlighted the incident, with fled Tel Abyad, Iran blaming "PJAK terrorists” and Turkey’s as they reenter TRT blaming "militants" for the killing. Syria from Turkish media noted that the PJAK, or Turkey . (photo Kurdistan Free Life Party, has been involved credit: in recent deadly attacks on Iranian security REUTERS) forces and claimed it is aligned with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which Ankara is at war with.

As TRT notes. Both Ankara and Tehran are taking the incident seriously, but for differ­ ent reasons. Turkey wants to highlight that "there is little coordination between Iranian shared concerns over the Kurdistan Regional Iranian-backed Shi’ite militias, rolled into and Iraqi forces over security of the porous Government’s referendum in September Kirkuk in October 2017. Iran and Turkey border that has also been used by Daesh 2017 in Iraq. The rise of Kurdish power threatened to close the border and Baghdad [ISIS] to enter Iran." Meanwhile, Iran is talk­ between 2015 and 2017 brought together closed the airport, clipping the KRG’s wings. ing about conflict with the US, but its admis­ Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey on some issues. It rook the KRG months to recover even part sion that Kurdish fighters were able to take of what it had lost. down 11IRGC members shows that it is con­ In Turkey’s view, the People’s Protection cerned about a bubbling insurgency on the Units (YPG) in Syria are part of the PKK, and Meanwhile, the YPG had helped defeat ISIS in border. In recent months, as protests swept Ankara has labeled them terrorists. Yet Syria and gained respect of the international Iran and Tehran prepares to weather new Ankara has watched as the YPG became a coalition. But by 2018, with ISIS mostly Washington sanctions, Kurdish groups have partner of the US in Syria and helped form defeated, the US returned to working closely stepped up their campaign. These groups the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which with Turkey, a NATO ally. The US wants to include the PJAK and the Democratic Party of liberated Raqqa from ISIS. The Turkish- slap sanctions on Iran and wants Turkey to Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI). backed invasion of Afrin was a way to reduce take part in the sanctions. It also fears the YPG’s power. Then Ankara set its sights Turkey turning to Russia. Ankara has used Since August 2017, Turkey has said that on Manbij in northern Syria, an area the SDF this for leverage in Syria. Turkey has pushed Tehran and Ankara would launch a joint cam­ liberated from ISIS in 2016, encouraging the the YPG out of Afrin and has increased its paign against the PKK. A cease-fire with the US to create joint patrols with Turkey. The military involvement in northern Iraq, fight­ PKK broke down in 2015, and Turkey has Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency ing ISIS in the mountainous border region. been fighting the group in eastern Turkey as reported on July 20 that the US would pro­ well as in Iraq and in Syria. In August 2017, vide Ankara with new information on "oper­ Iran, flustered by US sanctions, is also eyeing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met atives of the terrorist PKK, their locations a Kurdish crackdown. This points to a wide­ with Iranian Chief of General Staff and what they are doing." In addition, spread attempt to weaken Kurds in the Mohammad Baqeri. In June 2017, Turkish Turkish media have claimed that after region. Kurdish political groups don’t get Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had also Manbij, Turkey and the US will remove the along with each other, but on each front they advocated cooperation, but said Tehran was YPG from "other Syria regions.” have lost influence and power. One issue in "de-escalation” with the PJAK. they have faced is that they sought a close A unique set of circumstances enabled differ­ alliance with Western powers at a time when Turkey and Iran had rocky relations up until ent Kurdish groups - primarily the YPG in the West has tended to become fatigued with 2017, when they began to work more closely Syria and the Kurdistan Democratic Party the Middle East. With the rise of more with Russia under the Astana peace process (KDP) in Iraq - to grow in power in the last authoritarian regimes in the region, the on Syria. Erdogan met Iranian President few years. The KDP held the presidency of Kurdish groups will now hedge their rela­ Rouhani and Putin several times. The two the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) tions with the West and the local powers.» countries diverged greatly on Syria though, and not only helped defeat ISIS, but filled the with Turkey condemning Iran’s role in sup­ vacuum left by retreating Iraqi forces in porting the Syrian regime’s eastern Ghouta Kirkuk. It felt secure enough to push a refer­ campaign this year, and Iran condemning endum in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. But its Ankara’s operation in the mostly Kurdish gamble resulted in anger from Baghdad, and region of Afrin in Syria. But Turkey and Iran Baghdad's coalition-trained army, along with

39 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti IliWB 20 au 26 juillet 2018 IRAN LES AYATOLLAHS PEUVENT-ILS TOMBER ? Sous l’un des régimes les plus répressifs du monde, des femmes et des hommes privés des droits élémentaires manifestent depuis plusieurs mois, sur fond d’économie en faillite, par martine cozlan

“LE DÉCLIN DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE ISLAMIQUE A COMMENCÉ” PAR AZADEH KIAN

Marianne : Quelles sont les dernières nouvelles de Téhéran ? Azadeh Kian : Des e sont toujours des le Hamas. Cette rancœur s’accu­ commerçants du Bazar, images éparses, des mulait depuis des années, au piliers habituels du vidéos en désordre, fur et à mesure que s’aggravait régime, aux ouvriers, aux des rushes synco­ le fossé entre les riches protégés paysans, aux minorités ethniques, aux femmes pés qui nous par­ du régime et les démunis, classes UNIVERSITAIRE viennent de la moyennes comprises. et aux étudiants, tout le FRANCO-IRANIENNE, République isla­ Le retrait américain de l’accord monde manifeste. On cette professeur de sociologie mique d’Iran. Qu’est-cesur qui le nucléairerelie et le retour des a vu à Ispahan des ras­ à l’université Paris-Diderot semblements contre la est l'auteur de l'Iran, en effet la danse joyeusesanctions d’une - avec l’interdit sur les un mouvement sans adolescente de Téhéran, Maedeh importations de pétrole dès le pénurie d’eau, ensuite révolution ? (Michalon) CHojabri, immédiatement arrêtée 4 novembre prochain - ont ral­ la contestation a gagné très sérieusement le sta­ et contrainte de faire des excuses lumé la mèche de la contestation. la province pétrolière du tut de ce même Guide. publiques pour avoir posté sa En réalité, elle ne s’est jamais Khouzestan, et ainsi sur Tout cela se déroule sur vidéo sur les réseaux sociaux, les éteinte. « Les Iraniens veulent tout le territoire. Mais, la toile de fond d’une cris de rage des agriculteurs de vivre une vie normale », souligne pour que le régime soit société inquiète, assaillie la région d’Ispahan ou du un de leurs compatriotes, l’avocat réellement en danger, par des besoins urgents. Khouzestan qui n’ont plus une et écrivain Ardavan Amir-Aslani il faudrait une conver­ goutte d’eau douce, ou les rideaux (lire l’entretien p. 26). Une vie gence entre toutes ces baissés des commerçants du digne qui implique la sortie de luttes, ce qui n’est pas Que signifie le slogan “Mort è la Palestine” Bazar de Téhéran, ces ultra- l’islam politique et la fin d’une encore le cas. scandé dans conservateurs exaspérés par la théocratie rapace. En mai 2017, Quelle alternative de nombreuses chute du rial ? Une angoisse géné­ lors de la réélection du président politique sérieuse manifestations ? rale dans une ambiance de fin de Hassan Rohani, nous rappelions peut se dessiner ? Le peuple a besoin des règne. L’attentat déjoué contre le dans ces colonnes qu’il s’était Celle que les Américains revenus du pétrole et engagé à incarner, selon ses rassemblement des Moudjahidin et les Saoudiens veulent il ne supporte plus que du peuple à Villepinte le 30 juin, propres termes, « le président des mettre en avant, à tra­ le régime les dépense avec l’implication d’un diplomate droits humains ». Le bilan de son vers l’organisation pour la Syrie, l’Irak iranien basé en Autriche, consti­ premier mandat était à cet égard des Moudjahidine du et la Palestine. Au tue un indice supplémentaire. dramatiquement nul, de la mul­ peuple, est complète­ Khouzestan, les gens tiplication des exécutions capi­ ment rejetée par les n’ont même pas d'eau tales au statut infâme réservé à Théocratie rapace Iraniens. En revanche, potable : ce sont les foot­ Certes, il y a toujours eu des la femme. L’une des avocates les les pro-Khatami (l’an­ balleurs iraniens qui, à « troubles » chez les ayatollahs, plus courageuses du pays, Nasrin cien président réforma­ leur retour de la Coupe malgré la répression de la grande Sotoudeh, lauréate du prix teur, entre 1997 et 2005) du monde, ont offert révolte de juin 2009, et en dépit Sakharov, a été récemment sont en train de pousser trois machines à filtrer de la vision lénifiante entrete­ embastillée - une fois de plus - une jeune génération l’eau de mer pour que la nue par les très habiles émissaires parce quelle assurait la défense réformiste. De l’autre population puisse boire ! de Téhéran. Voici, nous disent des femmes qui s’étaient dévoi­ côté, chez les proches Ce malheur donne la ces experts, un vaste pays d’une lées en public. du pouvoir, dans l’en­ mesure de la colère qui remarquable stabilité dans une Les Iraniens n’ont pas attendu tourage immédiat dAli monte. Le déclin de la région chaotique. A ceci près que Donald Trump pour clamer à la Khamenei, le Guide de République islamique a la population n’est plus dupe et face du monde leur volonté d’en la Révolution, certains vraiment commencé. ■ redescend dans la rue pour crier finir avec la loi cruelle des aya­ vont jusqûà contester PROPOS RECUE1US PAS M.G. son indignation devant les coû­ tollahs. Ils savent que toute inter­ teuses entreprises militaires qui vention extérieure les desservira. LE RETRAIT AMÉRICAIN DE L’ACCORD déstabilisent la Syrie, l’Irak, les Alors que la vingt-cinquième SUR LE NUCLÉAIRE ET LE RETOUR frontières nord et sud d’Israël, heure va peut-être sonner pour DES SANCTIONS ONT RALLUMÉ LA à travers les bases des Gardiens les maîtres pervers et usés du MÈCHE DE LA CONTESTATION, QUI, EN de la révolution, le Hezbollah et libre peuple perse. ■ RÉALITÉ, NE S’ÉTAIT JAMAIS ÉTEINTE.

40 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti

20 au 26 juillet 2018

Le pays connaît régulièrement “LE POUVOIR EST DIVISÉ, des rassemblements de gens en colère. Ces mouvements contes­ tataires n’ont pas encore pris une LE PEUPLE EXASPÉRÉ, dimension nationale mais le risque est là. La population est fatiguée de quarante ans d’ostracisme, de révo­ LE PAYS EXSANGUE” lution, de guerre et de sanctions. Même si la volonté de changement Avocat international et essayiste, Ardavan Amir-Aslani dresse le tableau des fractures est profonde, les Iraniens n’ont plus qui se creusent et des troubles qui s’aggravent dans son pays natal. Entretien. envie de connaître les troubles révo- lutionnaires qu’ils ont connus en Marianne : Avec le retour des des sanctions américaines sur 1979. Si le gouvernement n’arrive sanctions et de l’aggravation de l’énergie, l’Iran se prépare à vendre pas à régler l’isolement croissant de la crise économique, jusqu’où la 1,2 million de barils de pétrole de l’Iran et ainsi améliorer le sort quo­ contestation peut-elle aller ? moins par jour par rapport aux tidien du peuple, les contestations ABOAVAN AMA-A31ANI Ardavan Amir-Aslani : Le pays va 2 millions précédemment. Cette vont s’intensifier et devenir sûre­ DE LA PERSE très mal. Depuis le retrait des Etats- situation laissera un trou de 3 mil­ ment de plus en plus violentes. La À L'IRAN Unis de l’accord nucléaire du 14 juil­ liards de dollars par mois dans le répression entraînera inéluctable­ let 2015, l’économie iranienne est budget, soit presque 40 % des ment soit une prise du pouvoir par le engagée dans une spirale descen­ recettes pétrolières annuelles du corps des Gardiens de la révolution, dante. Depuis un an, le rial, la mon­ pays. L’Iran risque de se retrouver soit une volte-face du gouvernement DERNIER naie iranienne, a perdu 60 % de sa exsangue d’ici quelques mois ! sur tous les enjeux internationaux OUVRAGE PARU : De la Perse à l'Iran, valeur par rapport au dollar, créant Les hypermarchés ont connu qui empoisonnent les relations de l’Archipel, 2018. la panique au sein de la population des ventes records ces derniers Téhéran avec les grandes capitales. qui cherche désespérément à sauver, mois au fur et à mesure que les tant que faire se peut, ses économies. gens stockaient des produits ali­ Que se passe-t-il au sein La quasi-totalité des grands groupes mentaires et toutes sortes d’équi­ du régime, voire au sein de la étrangers qui envisageaient de faire pements dans l’anticipation de la maison du Guide ? Quelles sont des investissements majeurs en Iran pénurie qu’ils voient se profiler à les forces qui s’affrontent ? se sont retirés dont PSA, Total, Vinci, l’horizon. L’arrestation de cette Le pouvoir est divisé. Le gouverne­ etc. Avec l’approche de la date butoir jeune Iranienne de 19 ans qui avait ment Rohani a perdu toute sa cré­ du 4 novembre et la transposition partagé des vidéos de ses danses dibilité et sa légitimité électorale. Il sans foulard sur Instagram a jeté a exagéré les dividendes que l’Iran "L’ARRESTATION l’opprobre sur le pouvoir, la popu­ allait pouvoir retirer de l’accord DE MAEDEH lation ne comprenant pas l’achar­ nucléaire qui est en fait mort-né. HOJABRI, nement du gouvernement face à un cette jeune Iranienne Le pays n’a même pas reçu une de 19 ans qui fait banal et son inefficacité face à fraction des 200 milliards de dollars avait partagé la détresse économique. Labsence prévus. Cette perte de crédibilité se des vidéos de danse d’un cadre réglementaire adéquat constate même au sein de la mai­ sans foulard et des défaillances dans le secteur son du Guide, qui semble vouloir sur Instagram, a jeté l’opprobre bancaire ont entraîné la faillite de écarter Rohani des tractations que sur le pouvoir." quelques établissements financiers, l’Iran mène avec la Russie et la Chine ce qui concourt au sentiment géné­ dans l’espoir, totalement illusoire, ral d’insécurité. La crise grave de de compter sur leur aide écono­ l’eau et la sécheresse ainsi que les mique en cette nouvelle période coupures régulières d’électricité de sanctions. Ainsi, c’est Velayati, aggravent encore le tableau. le conseiller en relations interna­ “LA POPULATION EST FATIGUÉE tionales du Guide, qui est parti pour Moscou et Pékin et non pas Zarif, DE QUARANTE ANS D’OSTRACISME ■ le ministre des Affaires étrangères. DE RÉVOLUTIONS, DE GUERRE Cette initiative a davantage fragilisé ET DE SANCTIONS.” le gouvernement Rohani, tant aux yeux des Iraniens qui n’accordent plus de crédit à ses dires qu’aux yeux des partenaires étrangers qui “LA RÉPRESSION entraînera soit peuvent légitimement s’interroger une prise du pouvoir sur l’opportunité de poursuivre un par le corps dialogue avec ce gouvernement des Gardiens de la révolution, Avec la poursuite soit une volte-face des affrontements en Syrie, du gouvernement l’escalade verbale et militaire sur tous les enjeux se poursuit entre Jérusalem internationaux qui empoisonnent et Téhéran. Peut-on craindre les relations un conflit ouvert ou va-t-on de Téhéran avec les au contraire vers un apaisement grandes capitales.” négocié par la Russie ? Ci-dessus, à Téhéran, le 30 juin. Y a-t-il des contacts secrets entre Israël et la République islamique ?

41 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

Les Iraniens ont vite compris que delà des 70 km de cette frontière nées par la théocratie au pouvoir. conscient, d’où les divisions en son l’administration Trump est pro­ démontrant de la sorte leur volonté Soixante-dix pour cent des Iraniens sein entre les pragmatiques et les fondément alignée sur les posi­ de désescalade. Les rumeurs parlent ont moins de 40 ans. Cette jeunesse, idéologues. Si les idéologues rem­ tions israéliennes et saoudiennes. d’une rencontre indirecte, par l’en­ majoritaire dans le pays, très édu­ portent la bataille, la chute du pou­ Ils savent que le moindre faux-pas tremise des Jordaniens, entre les quée et ouverte sur le monde via voir sera inéluctable mais dans un de leur part rencontrera une vive Israéliens et les Iraniens à Amman Internet na connu, en quarante ans bain de sang. Si les pragmatiques riposte de la part de Jérusalem. C’est afin justement d’empêcher tout de République islamique, que des devaient prévaloir, l’Iran connaîtra ainsi qu’au lendemain du retrait dérapage. restrictions au niveau des libertés une évolution rapide vers un mode américain de l’accord nucléaire, sociales et le chômage. Les Iraniens de vie séculier et réintégrera sa juste le 8 mai dernier, les Iraniens, trop finalement, le régime veulent mettre un terme à leur isole­ place au sein de la communauté proches de la frontière israélienne peut-il tomber 7 ment et tout simplement vivre une des nations. Mais le régime est-il dans le Golan syrien, ont vu leurs H y a un vrai désir de changement vie normale loin des menaces de réformable de l’intérieur ou non ? positions bombardées par Tsahal de la population iranienne qui ne frappes aériennes et de la débâcle L’avenir nous le dire assez vite. ■ et se sont repliés aujourd’hui au- s’identifie plus avec les valeurs incar­ économique. Le pouvoir en est PROMS RECUER1IS PAR M.G.

jt'enent LE JOUR 24 juillet 2018 ’’Etat fasciste” contre ’’sombre dictature” : guerre des mots entre Erdogan et Netanyahu

OLJ/AFP 24/07/2018 des députés criaient "maudit soit https://www.lorientlejour.com Israël". La réponse de M. Netanyahu TURQUIE-ISRAËL - ne s'est pas fait attendre : "Erdogan massacre des Syriens et des Kurdes Cet échange, le plus et emprisonne des dizaines de mil­ houleux entre les deux liers de Turcs (...) Sous son pou­ voir, la Turquie devient une sombre dirigeants depuis dictature”, a répliqué le chef du plusieurs mois, porte gouvernement israélien. sur une loi en Israël Ce regain de tension survient quelques jours après le vote par le définissant ce pays Parlement israélien d'une loi qui comme "l'Etat-nation désigne "l'Etat d'Israël comme l'Etat national du peuple juif où du peuple juif' celui-ci applique son droit naturel, culturel, religieux, historique”, en "Etat fasciste” contre "sombre Le président turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a qualifié mardi Israël d'Etat précisant que "le droit d'exercer "le plus fasciste et raciste au monde" après le vote la semaine dernière dictature" : le président turc Recep l'autodétermination au sein de Tayyip Erdogan et le Premier par le Parlement israélien d'une loi définissant le pays comme "l'Etat- l'Etat d'Israël est réservé unique­ nation du peuple juif". Photo d'archives/AFP ministre israélien Benjamin ment au peuple juif'. Netanyahu ont croisé le fer mardi au sujet d'une loi en Israël définis­ Ce texte, qui stipule également que l'hébreu est la langue officielle qu'Israël défendait "avec constance raid israélien meurtrier contre un sant ce pays comme "l'Etat-nation l'égalité des droits de tous les navire d'une ONG turque se diri­ du peuple juif'. d'Israël alors que l'arabe n'a plus qu'un "statut spécial”, a suscité des citoyens avant et après le vote de geant vers la bande de Gaza en Cet échange, le plus houleux accusations de "racisme" à l'encon­ cette loi”. 2010. entre les deux dirigeants depuis tre de la minorité arabe qui repré­ "Le Premier ministre d'un Etat Après plusieurs mois d'accal­ plusieurs mois, survient sur fond de sente 17,5% de la population, d'apartheid sioniste bâti sur le mie dans la foulée de l'accord de tensions récurrentes entre la majoritairement juive. racisme, l'occupation et le déplace­ normalisation, les tensions ont fait Turquie et Israël qui menacent de La Turquie a été l'un des plus ment (de populations) est mal leur retour, notamment après le faire dérailler le fragile processus placé pour donner des leçons sta­ transfert par les Etats-Unis de leur de normalisation des relations virulents détracteurs de cette loi qui a suscité plusieurs critiques les droits de l'Homme à notre pré­ ambassade de Tel-Aviv à Jérusalem entre les deux pays entamé il y a sident", a répliqué le porte-parole en mai dernier. deux ans. dans le monde musulman, Ankara accusant les dirigeants israéliens de de M. Erdogan, Ibrahim Kalin. Le Ankara a sommé en mai l'am­ Ardent défenseur de la cause vouloir mettre en place un "Etat porte-parole du président turc a bassadeur d'Israël en Turquie de palestinienne, M. Erdogan a ouvert d'apartheid”. qualifié la nouvelle loi israélienne quitter le pays provisoirement après les hostilités mardi en dénonçant de "tentative éhontée d'institution­ "Esprit d'Hitler" la mort de plusieurs dizaines de pour la première fois et de façon naliser la discrimination contre le Palestiniens tués par des soldats "L'esprit d'Hitler qui a entraîné virulente le texte adopté jeudi par peuple palestinien". israéliens à la frontière avec la le monde dans une grande catas­ le Parlement israélien, qu'Ankara Cet échange illustre la fragilité bande de Gaza, lors de manifesta­ trophe a de nouveau fleuri parmi considère comme "discrimina­ des relations entre la Turquie et tions contre le transfert de l'ambas­ certains dirigeants israéliens”, a toire". Israël, deux alliés importants des sade américaine. déclaré M. Erdogan, coutumier des "Cette mesure a montré (...) Etats-Unis au Proche-Orient. comparaisons entre l'Etat israélien Le président turc, fervent qu'Israël était l'Etat le plus sioniste, Ces turbulences diplomatiques défenseur de la cause palestinienne, le plus fasciste et le plus raciste au et le Troisième Reich responsable de la mort de millions de juifs. risquent de saborder la fragile nor­ avait à cette occasion accusé Israël monde", a lancé M. Erdogan lors malisation des relations entamée de "terrorisme d'Etat" et de Rejetant les critiques, M. d'un discours devant son groupe en 2016 entre les deux pays, après "génocide”. ■ Netanyahu a soutenu mardi parlementaire à Ankara, tandis que une grave crise déclenchée par un

42 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti international ^ÏUillork cimes july 20,2018 How Israel grabbed Iran’s nuclear secrets

TEL AVIV Iran is continually expanding the range of its nuclear-capable missiles

Documents netted in heist Sliahab 3 GhadilH Ghadr IE 1,950 indicate a program larger 1.000 km 1,650 km than was once suspected

BY DAVID E. SANGER AND RONEN BERGMAN

The Mossad agents moving in on a warehouse in a drab commercial district of Tehran knew exactly how much time they had to disable the alarms, break through two doors, cut through dozens of giant safes and get out of the city with a half-ton of secret materials: six hours and 29 minutes. The morning shift of Iranian guards would arrive around 7 a.m., a year of The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, presenting Iranian nuclear program surveillance of the warehouse by documents in Tel Aviv. He says the trove proves the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran was naïve. Mossad, the Israeli spy agency, had re­ vealed, and the agents were under or­ ders to leave before 5 a.m. to have pected: Despite Iranian insistence that random warehouse in Tehran is laugh­ enough time to escape. Once the Iranian its program was for peaceful purposes, ably.absurd,” a spokesman for the Irani­ custodians arrived, it would be instantly the country had worked in the past to an mission, Alireza Miryousefi, said in clear that someone had stolen much of systematically assemble everything it an emailed statement. the country’s clandestine nuclear ar­ needed to produce atomic weapons. From what the Israelis showed to the chive, documenting years of work on “It’s quite good,” Robert Kelley, a nu­ reporters in a secure intelligence facili­ atomic weapons, warhead designs and clear engineer and former inspector for ty, a few things are clear. production plans. the agency, said in Vienna, after being The Iranian program to build a nucle­ The agents arrived that night, Jan. 31, shown some of the fruits of the docu­ ar weapon was almost certainly larger, with torches that .burned at least 3,600 ment theft. “The papers show these more sophisticated and better orga­ degrees, hot enough, as they knew from guys were working on nuclear bombs.” nized than most suspected in 2003, intelligence collected during the plan­ There is no way to independently con­ when Project Amad was declared ning of the operation, to cut through the firm the authenticity of the documents, ended, according to outside nuclear ex­ 32 Iranian-made safes. But they left most of which were at least 15 years old, perts consulted by The Times. Iran had many untouched, going first for the ones dating from the time when an effort foreign help, though Israeli officials held containing the black binders, which con­ called Project Amad was ordered halted back any documents indicating where it tained the most critical designs. When and some of the nuclear work moved came from. Much was clearly from Paki­ time was up, they fled for the border, deeper under cover. The Israelis hand­ stan, but officials said other foreign ex­ hauling some 50,000 pages and 163 com­ picked the documents shown to the re­ perts were also involved — though they pact discs of memos, videos and plans. porters, meaning that exculpatory ma­ may not have been working for their In late April, Prime Minister Ben­ terial could have been left out. They said governments. jamin Netanyahu announced the results some material had been withheld to The documents detailed the chal­ of the heist, after giving President avoid providing intelligence to others lenges of integrating a nuclear weapon Trump a private briefing at the White seeking to make weapons. into a warhead for the Shahab-3, an Ira­ House. He said it was another reason The Iranians have maintained that nian missile. One document proposed Mr. Trump should abandon the 2015 nu­ the entire trove is fraudulent — another sites for possible underground nuclear clear deal, arguing that the documents elaborate scheme by the Israelis to get tests, and described plans to build an ini­ proved Iranian deception and an intent sanctions reimposed on the country. But tial batch of five weapons. None were to resume bomb production. A few days American and British intelligence offi­ built, possibly because the Iranians later, Mr. Trump followed through on his cials, after their own review, which in­ feared being caught, or because a cam­ longstanding threat to pull out of the ac­ cluded comparing the documents to paign by American and Israeli intelli­ cord — a move that continues to strain some they had previously obtained from gence agencies to sabotage the effort, relations between the United States and spies and defectors, said they believed it with cyberattacks and disclosures of European allies. was genuine. key facilities, took its toll. Last week, at the invitation of the Is­ This week, Iran denied Israel’s claim David Albright, a former inspector raeli government, three reporters, in­ as “laughably absurd?’ “Iran has always who runs the Institute for Science and cluding one from The New York Times, been clear that creating indiscriminate International Security, said in an inter­ were shown key documents from the weapons of mass destruction is against view that the documents contained trove. Many confirmed what inspectors what we stand for as a country, and the “great information.” from the International Atomic Energy notion that Iran would abandon any “Iran conducted many more high-ex­ Agency, in report after report, had sus­ kind of sensitive information in some plosive tests related to nuclear weapons

43 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ozeti

development than previously known,” ing even though it would not alert any­ he told Congress last month. one when the agents arrived around But the archive also shows that after a 10:30 p.m. burst of activity, a political mandate de­ For all the cinematics of the raid, the livered at the end of 2003 slowed the pro­ immediate aftermath was absent much gram dramatically, just as American of­ drama. There was no chase, said Israeli ficials had concluded in a 2007 intelli­ officials, who would not disclose whether the documents left by land, air gence report. Israel, which has its own or sea — though an escape from the undeclared nuclear program, has long coast, just a few hours’ drive from claimed that the Iranian program con­ Tehran, appears the least risky. tinued after 2003, and some documents Fewer than two dozen agents took show senior officials in Tehran’s pro­ part in the break-in. Fearing that some gram — including two who were later of them would be caught, the Israelis re­ assassinated, presumably by Israeli moved the materials on several differ­ agents — debating how to split it into ent routes. At exactly 7 a.m., as the overt and covert elements. Photographs that Israeli officials said were Mossad expected, a guard arrived and One of the scientists warned that stolen from Iran’s nuclear archive appear to discovered that the doors and safes work on neutrons that create the chain show a metal chamber constructed to i were broken. He sounded the alarm, and reaction for a nuclear explosion must be conduct high-explosive experiments. the Iranian authorities soon began a na­ hidden. ‘“Neutrons’ research could not tionwide campaign to locate the bur­ be considered ‘overt’ and needs to be glars. concealed,” his notes read. “We cannot yet resumed enrichment or violated its The effort yielded nothing. And until excuse such activities as defensive. terms, according to international in­ Mr. Netanyahu’s speech, the Iranians Neutron activities are sensitive, and we spectors. But if sanctions resume, and never said a word in public about what have no explanation for them.” That cau­ more Western companies leave Iran, it had happened. tion, the documents show, came from is possible that Iranian leaders will de­ Among the most fascinating elements Masoud Ali Mohammadi, an Iranian nu­ cide to resume nuclear fuel production. of the archive are pictures taken inside clear physicist at the University of The warehouse the Israelis penetrat­ what were once key facilities in Iran, be­ Tehran, who was assassinated in Janu­ ed was put into use only after the 2015 fore the equipment was dismantled in ary 2010. accord was reached with the United anticipation of international inspec­ Mr. Netanyahu argues that the trove States, European powers, Russia and tions. One set of photos taken by the Ira­ proves that the 2015 agreement, with its China. That pact granted broad rights to nians appears to show a giant metal sunset clauses allowing the Iranians to the International Atomic Energy chamber built to conduct high-explosive produce nuclear fuel again after 2030, Agency to visit suspected nuclear sites, experiments, in a building at Parchin, a was naïve. including on military bases. military base near Tehran. Intelligence The fact that the Iranians went to So the Iranians, Israeli officials said in agencies had long suspected nuclear ac­ such lengths to preserve what they had interviews, systematically went about tivity at the Parchin site, and Iran had learned, and hid the archive’s contents collecting thousands of pages spread refused to allow international inspec­ from international inspectors in an un­ around the country documenting how to tors in, saying that as a military base, it declared site despite an agreement to build a weapon, how to fit it on a missile was off limits to inspectors and not part reveal paşt research, is evidence of their and how to detonate it. They consoli­ of any nuclear experiments. future intent, he has said. dated them at the warehouse, in a com­ By the time the head of the Interna­ But the same material could also be mercial district with no past relation­ tional Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya interpreted as a strong argument for ship to the nuclear program, and far Amano, was finally permitted to visit maintaining and extending the nuclear from the declared archives of the Min­ the site in 2015, it was empty, though the accord as long as possible. The deal de­ istry of Defense. There were no round- agency’s report indicated that it looked prived the Iranians of the nuclear fuel the-clock guards or anything else that as if equipment had been removed. The they would need to turn the designs into would tip off neighbors, or spies, that photos indicate that is exactly what hap­ reality. something unusual was happening pened: They show a large chamber that Former members of the Obama ad­ there. nuclear experts say is tailor-made for ministration, who negotiated the deal, What the Iranians did not know was the kind of experimental activity that say the archive proves what they had that the Mossad was documenting the the international inspectors were look­ suspected all along: that Iran had ad­ collection effort, filming the moves for ing for. It was part of a larger, previously vanced fuel capability, warhead designs two years, since the relocation began in known effort: Satellite photographs and a plan to build them rapidly. That February 2016. Last year, the spies be­ show that Parchin was so sanitized be­ was why they negotiated the accord, gan planning a heist that one senior Is­ fore the inspectors’ arrival that tons of which forced Iran to ship 97 percent of raeli intelligence official said bore a soil in the area had been removed to its nuclear fuel out of the country. strong resemblance to George eliminate any traces of nuclear contami­ Tehran would never have agreed to a Clooney’s adventures in “Ocean’s 11.” nation. permanent ban, they said. In most Mossad operations, spies aim The chamber appears to be part of The archive captures the program at a to penetrate a facility and photograph or neutron experiments that strongly point moment in time — a moment 15 years copy material without traces. But in this to an. effort to build nuclear weapons. ago, before tensions accelerated, before case, the Mossad chief, Yossi Cohen, or­ Nuclear explosions start when fast­ the United States and Israel attacked dered that the material be stolen out­ moving particles known as neutrons Iran’s nuclear centrifuges with a cyber­ right. That would drastically shorten the split atoms of nuclear fuel in two, pro­ weapon, before an additional under­ time that the agents — many, if not all, of ducing chain reactions that release ground enrichment center was built and them Iranians — spent inside the build­ more neutrons and enormous bursts of discovered. ing. But the Israelis wanted to be able to energy. At the core of an atom bomb, a Today, despite Mr. Trump’s decision to counter Iranian claims that the material device known as a neutron initiator — or exit the deal with Iran, the agreement was forged and offer it up for examina­ sometimes a spark plug — creates the remains in place. The Iranians have not tion by international groups. initial wave of speeding neutrons. Clearly, the Israeli spies had inside The Iranian papers repeatedly men­ “Iran conducted many more help. They had learned which of the 32 tion a specific substance used for ma­ high-explosive tests related to safes held the most important informa­ king neutron initiators: uranium deu- tion. They watched the habits of the teride. Experts say it has no civil or mili­ nuclear weapons development workers. They studied the alarm sys­ tary use other than making nuclear than previously known.” tem, so that it would appear to be work­ arms. •

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Kurdish security neutralizes three gunmen in attack on Erbil Governorate SangarAli July 23-2018 www.kurdistan24.net Kurdish security entering the Erbil Governorate building fol­ lowing an attack in the area, July 23, 2018. (Photo: Kurdistan 24) ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - Security forces killed three militants as an hours- Erbil Kurdistan Iraq long siege Monday morning on the Erbil Governorate building came to an end, a Kurdish security source confirmed early afternoon. The gunmen injured a policeman and entered the building around 7:00 am Four security members were injured in the raid to retake the building, local time before official working hours began, the source explained. Qassab said. Kurdistan 24 obtained CCTV footage of Monday’s attack on the Erbil An investigation into the incident has already begun. Governorate which shows the three suspects entering the building. The militants used light weaponry, and a gunfire exchanged between Soon after they stormed the office, Kurdish security forces surrounded them and security forces went on for hours before the siege came to an the area and launched an operation to clear the building of any threat. end at 12:30 pm local time. All gunmen involved were reportedly killed. Tariq Nouri, General Director of Erbil Security, told reporters in a press A man by the name of Farhan Elya who worked in the Erbil Governorate conference soon after the siege ended that the three attackers had been building for years serving tea died of injuries sustained during the attack. identified as Erbil natives and residents. He was rescued and taken to the hospital but unfortunately did not make it, a medical source told Kurdistan 24. “The motive behind the attack is unclear. It may or may not be a terrorist attack,” Tahir Abdullah, Erbil deputy governor, told Kurdistan 24. Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region, is known to be safe and secure, with very few attacks taking place over the past Barzan Qassab, the deputy director of Erbil security, however, said the decade. ♦ attack was “certainly a terrorist act.”

Protesters in Iraq call on government to end attacks by security forces

Karzan Sulaivany July 22-2018 cial permits.” www.kurdistan24.net On Friday, Amnesty International said Iraqi ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - Protesters in Iraq’s Basra authorities had intentionally cut off internet have called on the government to respect their access shortly before security forces attacked, rights and hold accountable those security and in some cases killed, protesters. forces which use force against demonstrators. Internet service has been largely suspended, As protests across southern Iraqi provinces and social media sites blocked since demonstra­ enter the third week, people in Basra on Sunday tions against a lack of basic services, unemploy­ called on the central government in Baghdad to ment, and poor living conditions began on July end its use of force against demonstrators who 8. argue they are exercising fundamental human Iraqi riot police prevent protesters from “The parliament has not done anything for us rights. storming the Basra Provincial Council yet,” one protester in Basra told Kurdistan 24 on Reporting from Basra, Kurdistan 24 correspon­ building during a demonstration in the Sunday. “We have called on the government to dent Shivan Jabary spoke to several demonstra­ southern oil-hub, July 15, 2018. (Photo: meet our demands for over four years. We want tors who complained that security forces are Associated Press) this failed system to leave, and for our people to using excessive force and detaining people be free.” merely because they are on the streets calling ing on [Iraqi Prime Minister Haider] al-Abadi to At least 12 people have been killed and hun­ for their demands to be heard. meet our demands; we are calling for basic serv­ ices (electricity, water); come kill us, we want dreds of others injured since the protests “This is the blood of a protester; he was killed our rights!” Another protester exclaimed. began. ♦ on Saturday by security forces,” a man holding a blood-stained shirt told Kurdistan 24. Baghdad claims the weeks-long demonstrations are illegal because protesters “don’t have offi­ “We are here calling for our rights; we are call-

45 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti LE FIGARO mardi 24 juillet 2018 Le ton monte dangereusement entre Trump et l’Iran La tension culmine depuis la décision de Trump, en mai, de dénoncer l’accord nucléaire conclu en 2015.

PHILIPPE GÉLIE * (àgeliefig CORRESPONDANT A WASHINGTON

DIPLOMATIE Cela a les accents d’une dé­ claration de guerre, mais elle ne procède pas d’un conseil d’état-major ou d’une réunion de crise à l’ONU. Il s’agit d’un tweet rageur de Donald Trump, écrit en lettres majuscules lundi à 01h24 du ma­ L’Amérique tin, au retour d’un week-end de golf dans le New Jersey. «Ce n’est pas une diver­ devrait sion» par rapport à la polémique sur sa savoir que Donald Trump lors d'une réunion de cabinet, rencontre avec Poutine, a souligné la por­ la paix avec mercredi, à la MalSOn-BlanChe, à Washington. Nicholas kamm/afp te-parole de la Maison-Blanche, Sarah l’Iran est Sanders. «Au président iranien Rohani : NE ME­ la mère NACEZ JAMAIS PLUS LES ÉTATS-UNIS de toutes OU VOUS PAIEREZ DES CONSÉQUEN­ politique étrangère, Mike Pompeo avait CES COMME PEU EN ONT CONNU À les paix et dressé une liste de douze exigences à remplir par Téhéran, de la neutralisa­ TRAVERS L’HISTOIRE. NOUS NE SOM­ que la guerre tion de son programme nucléaire et de MES PLUS UN PAYS QUI TOLÈRE VOS avec l’Iran PAROLES DÉMENTES DE VIOLENCE ET ses missiles à l’arrêt de toute déstabilisa­ tion régionale. Parallèlement, il annon­ DE MORT. FAITES ATTENTION!» Ce est la mère çait « les sanctions les plus dures de l’his­ tweet d’artillerie lourde se voulait une ré­ de toutes toire», qui forceraient l’Iran à «batailler plique à la déclaration du président de la les guerres | pour maintenir son économie en vie ». Ces République islamique, dimanche, recom­ HASSAN ROHANI, 1 sanctions, susceptibles d’aggraver le mandant à son homologue américain de PRÉSIDENT mécontentement qui fait descendre la «ne pas jouer avec la queue du lion, il en DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE viendrait à le regretter. [...] L’Amérique ISLAMIQUE D'IRAN population dans la rue depuis janvier, conduisent l’Administration américaine devrait savoir que la paix avec l’Iran est la à passer à l’autre volet de son travail de mère de toutes les paix et que la guerre avec pétrole a fait monter lundi le cours du ba­ sape ; le soutien aux dissidents. Le réseau l’Iran est la mère de toutes les guerres». ril de brut au plus haut depuis trois ans. public BBG (Voice of America, Radio Hassan Rohani anticipait lui-même sur un discours du secrétaire d’État, Mike « Conséquences jamais vues » Free Europe, etc.) s’apprête à dévelop­ per une chaîne en farsi 24 heures sur 24, Pompeo, prononcé dimanche soir en Ca­ Début juillet, Trump avait tancé les mem­ diffusée sur tous les supports existants lifornie, dans lequel il a promis le soutien bres de l’Opec sur Twitter à propos des des États-Unis aux Iraniens qui se rebel­ prix trop , élevés du pétrole et du gaz : (télé, radio, Internet), «afin que les Ira­ niens sachent que l’Amérique est à leurs lent contre le régime. «Leur monopole ne fait rien pour aider, ils côtés », dit Pompeo. Un effort de propa­ Cette rhétorique incendiaire s’inscrit poussent même les prix à la hausse alors que les États-Unis défendent beaucoup de gande «susceptible de fomenter l’insou­ dans un contexte de grande tension de­ mission », traduit le Washington Post. puis la décision de Trump, en mai der­ leurs membres pour très peu d’argent. nier, de dénoncer l’accord nucléaire BAISSEZ LES PRIX MAINTENANT!» Le Officiellement, l’Administration conclu en 2015. Le rétablissement des cours du carburant à la pompe est consi­ Trump vise «un changement de com­ premières sanctions contre le secteur déré comme un indicateur du bien-être portement » et non un changement de bancaire iranien est prévu le 4 août. Un économique des électeurs américains, qui régime. Mais la frontière est mince deuxième volet de mesures punitives se rendront aux urnes le 6 novembre pour lorsque Washington déclare une guerre s’attaquera en novènibre aux exporta­ des législatives où Donald Trump joue sa économique et idéologique totale aux tions iraniennes de pétrole, que majorité. La menace de «conséquences mollahs «hypocrites», qui «s’enri­ Washington veut réduire à néant. «Nous jamais vues » vise à prévenir Téhéran que chissent comme une mafia» sur le dos nous concentrons sur les pays qui importent Washington ne tolérera pas de repré­ du peuple et lui font vivre « un cauche­ du pétrole brut iranien afin de ramener ces sailles à sa propre offensive. «J’ai parlé mar». ■ transferts pratiquement à zéro d’ici au plusieurs fois au président ces derniers 4 novembre», a déclaré dimanche soir le jours et il m’a dit que si l’Iran fait quoi que chef de la diplomatie. Devant cette mena­ ce soit de négatif, il paiera un prix comme ce, Rohani a menacé de perturber le trafic peu de pays en ont payé auparavant», a maritime dans le golfe arabo-persique, insisté lundi le conseiller à la sécurité na­ une suggestion approuvée par l’ayatollah tionale, John Bolton. „ Ali Khamenei. Le spectre d’une guerre du Fin mai, dans son premier discours de

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lALMONIT^RI JULY 23, 2018 Kurds discouraged by hard-liners in Turkey's new Cabinet

Turkey's new government looks too much like Supporters of the old one to offer Kurds much hope for a Turkey's main pro-Kurdish peaceful political resolution. Peoples' Democratic Party Mahmut Bozarslan attend a rally, July 23, 2018 Diyarbakir, /www.al-monitor.com Turkey, June 20, 2018. IYARBAKIR, Turkey — Turkish President Abdullah Gul told journalists REUTERS/Sertac in 2009, “Some great things are going to happen on the Kurdish pro­ Kayar Dblem soon.” Everyone was excited by what appeared to be a door finally opening to ed, more bloody. There is no other way but to solve this problem [quickly].” resolving Turkey's volatile relationship with the Kurdistan Workers Party Bayram Bozyel, deputy secretary-general of the Kurdistan Socialist Party, (PKK), which is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and the also believes the new administration has no intention of solving the prob­ United States. Four years later, a message from PKK leader Abdullah lem peacefully. He said the appointment of hard-liners to the new Cabinet Ocalan from Imrali prison to mass crowds at Nowruz celebrations amplified — including Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Defense Minister Hulusi hopes when he sensationally called for giving up guns and pursuing a polit­ Akar, a former chief of staff — proves his point. ical solution. Ocalan is serving a life sentence for treason. “The current interior minister is a politician who made his career by oppos­ Then an unexpected accord was reached in February 2015 at Istanbul's ing the Kurds. To reappoint him as the minister of interior in the new Dolmabahce Palace between the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democracy Party Cabinet tells us that the new government approves the current policy and (HDP) and government officials. The deal generated widespread optimism wants to continue with it,” Bozyel told Al-Monitor. that a solution was imminent. But President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced he would not recognize the Dolmabahce Accord one month "The president immediately mobilized his new powers after the elections, later. Now the resumption of clashes, trench warfare in towns and which means he is after absolute power, immune to audit by the legislature, Erdogan's declaration of a state of emergency have wiped out any hope for the judiciary and the media. These are signs that the situation can only get a solution. worse for the Kurds,” he added. The prevailing opinion was that Erdogan's softening Kurdish policy was Mehmet Vural, chairman of Dicle Social Research Center in Diyarbakir, is causing him to lose support in parts of western Turkey where anti-Kurdish also among the pessimists, but he said the new administration can't just sentiment ran high, and that's why he reverted to a policy of force. The gov­ ignore the situation. He told Al-Monitor, “Today's regime is far from a solu­ ernment, which kept saying it was in a struggle against terror, resisted any tion," but that it must end its intransigence over the Kurdish issue. "There opening to possibly solving the Kurdish issue and even discarded what is no other way out. How long can they delay a solution?” minor progress had been made. It seemed the Kurdish issue could no Vural went on, “There are no Kurds in the government, [only a] minor pres­ longer be even mentioned. ence in the parliament. The current regime doesn't have the will or the ebates eventually resumed just prior to the elections held last month. intention to tackle the issue. Kurds are citizens and partners in this country. DAt that time, one of two outcomes seemed likely: The government No matter how hard the regime resists, the Kurdish issue won't go away." would change or Erdogan would be re-elected, become even stronger and ike the others, Vural is even more pessimistic when he looks at the solve the issue. Erdogan did win and Kurds again turned their attention Kurd-free Cabinet. “There is no one who identifies himself as a Kurd. To toward Ankara, wondering if any solution was in the making. But discus­ Lthe contrary, there are members known to be hostile to Kurds who see the sions were quickly shelved when the hard-line interior minister was reap­ issue only in terms of terror. If you ask me, the current government doesn't pointed and a hawkish senior general was named as the new defense even acknowledge the existence of the issue, never mind searching for a minister. solution.” “If there had been changes in these two ministries and the language of war, Until now, the government has blamed the delays in resolving the Kurdish threats and insults had been abandoned, there could have been hope for issue to the PKK's violence, repeating, “A solution can't be discussed with a solution," but that can't happen with the same people in charge and the guns in their hands.” But even though over the past couple of years, the same forces at work, Diyarbakir citizen Kadir Karagoz told Al-Monitor. PKK has suffered military setbacks that have left it no other option than to Ayhan Bilgen, a parliament member and HDP deputy who won 52% of the seek a political solution, one is no closer to materializing.* votes in the mainly Kurdish southeast, said finding a resolution is essential, Mahmut Bozarslan is based in Diyarbakir, the central city of Turkey’s mainly Kurdish but there is not enough political will for it. He told Al-Monitor, "Turkey may southeast. A journalist since 1996, he has worked for the mass-circulation daily delay the Kurdish issue, but that will make the issue even more complicat­ Sabah, the NTV news channel, Al Jazeera Turk and Agence France-Presse (AFP)

, REUTERSl Israel's Netanyahu accuses Erdogan of 'massacring Syrians and Kurds'

July 24,2018 JERUSALEM (Reuters) the right of self-determination in Israel legitimized oppression and showed that Israel is a fascist and racist country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday rebuked Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, accusing him of Netanyahu replied: “Erdogan is massacring the massacring Syrians and Kurds after Erdogan strongly criticized Syrians and the Kurds and is jailing thousands of Israel. his own people. This great democrat’s criticism of the Nation State Law is the greatest compliment it Erdogan said a new Israeli law declaring that only Jews have could be paid.” •

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uj REUTERS Islamic State makes comeback in Iraq with switch to guerrilla tactics

July 24,2018/ BAQUBA, Iraq (Reuters) Ahmed Aboulenein

MONTHS AFTER IRAQ declared victory over Islamic State, its fighters are making a comeback with a scatter-gun cam­ paign of kidnap and killing. With its dream of a Caliphate in the Middle East now dead, Islamic State has switched to hit-and-run attacks aimed at undermining the government in Baghdad, according to military, intelligence and govern­ ment officials interviewed by Reuters. Islamic State was reinventing itself months before Baghdad announced in December that it had defeated the group, according to intelligence Children hold pictures of their fathers, who were killed by officials who said it would adopt guerrilla tactics when it could no longer hold territory. Islamic State militants at Kirkuk road, in Kerbala, Iraq July 5, 2018REUTERS/Abdullah Dhiaa al-Deen Iraq has now seen an increase in kidnappings and killings, mainly in the provinces of Kirkuk, Diyala, and Salahuddin, since it held an elec­ tion in May, indicating the government will come under renewed pres­ sure from a group that once occupied a third of the country during a ment, and a culture of avoiding responsibility are hindering efforts to three-year reign of terror. contain the group, which continues to stage a steady stream of lower- level attacks in addition to the spike in kidnap and murder. Last month saw at least 83 cases of kidnap, murder or both in the three provinces. Most occurred on a highway connecting Baghdad to Kirkuk A military spokesman did not respond to phone calls and written province. In May, the number of such incidents in that area was 30, requests for comment. The U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State said while in March it was seven, according to Hisham al-Hashimi, an in a statement that it “has no safe haven in Iraq”. expert on Islamic State who advises the Iraqi government. HIT AND RUN In one incident on June 17, three Shi’ite men were kidnapped by The militants have regrouped in the Hemrin mountain range in the Islamic State militants disguised as policemen at a checkpoint on the northeast, which extends from Diyala, on the border with Iran, crossing highway. Ten days later their mutilated corpses were discovered, rigged northern Salahuddin and southern Kirkuk, and overlooks Iraq’s main with explosives to kill anyone who found them. highway. Officials describe the area as a “triangle of death”. Speaking in the Shi’ite holy city of Kerbala surrounded by children Military and intelligence officials gave varying estimates of how many wearing photos of their slain fathers around their necks, Bassem Islamic State fighters remain active in Iraq. Khudair, a relative of the men, said security forces were uncooperative. Hashimi puts the number at more than 1,000, with around 500 in He had implored the soldiers who found the men’s bullet-ridden car to desert areas and the rest in the mountains. pursue the kidnappers but was refused. Al Qaeda once held sway over most of Iraq’s Sunni areas until it was “We went alone, bearing personal responsibility, as three of our own beaten by U.S. and Iraqi troops and their tribal allies during the “surge” had been taken and we couldn’t just watch,” he said. “Six of us, all civil­ campaign of 2006-2007. ians, walked for about 10 or 12 kilometers. We found their documents scattered on the ground as we walked.” Its remnants hid in the desert between Syria and Iraq and later turned into Islamic State. Some officials fear an even more radical group could The next day, he received a phone call from his brother. The men were emerge if there are gaps in security. alive but held by Islamic State. One of the kidnappers had said they would be executed if the government did not release all female Sunni “Filth wandering the desert for a loaf of bread is what they are,” said an prisoners. intelligence official in Tikrit, the Salahuddin provincial capital. Fighters are resorting to Al Qaeda’s tactics: quick attacks then retreating into the The kidnapper then called Khudair daily. Khudair informed the govern­ desert. ment but none of Iraq’s intelligence agencies offered to trace the caller’s location, he said. Even though they possess machine guns, anti-tank weapons and mines, the militants cannot penetrate cities because they no longer enjoy sup­ Ten days later, the kidnapper told Khudair the men were dead. Military port among those Sunnis who once sympathized with them, said Eid commanders in the provinces of Diyala and Salahuddin ducked respon­ Khalaf, Salahuddin’s deputy chief of police. sibility for retrieving the bodies. “They can’t get food or weapons from citizens,” he said. “Their opera­ Diyala Provincial Council Chairman Ali al-Dani said the advantage cur­ tions are primitive; they can’t send a car bomb into a city.” rently lay with Islamic State. “The terrorists now are moving in small groups that are hard to track. Intelligence work is needed,” he said. Each Islamic State cell contains between three and five fighters, said Diyala Operations Commander Lieutenant General Muzher al-Azawi. “The situation is confusing, and the reason is the chaos within the secu­ He said there were no more than 75 fighters in the province. rity forces. There isn’t one command leading security in the province. This strengthens Daesh,” said Salahuddin Provincial Council Chairman “They hide in the mountains, making it hard to find them. They plant Ahmed al-Kareem, using a pejorative term for Islamic State. explosives, use hit-and-run tactics, and snipers. They set up fake check­ points for kidnappings,” he said. That kind of disarray among the security forces has allowed Islamic State to stage a comeback, according to military, police, intelligence, ‘CITIES WILL FALL’ and local elected officials. Numerous attempts to track down and kill Islamic State leader Abu They said poor coordination, meager support from the central govern- Bakr al-Baghdadi have failed, and his fighters are still active in other

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Arab states. withdraw again? We are not being attacked in those areas, Iraqi forces are. We are not there, they expelled us,” said a Kurdish security official. In Syria, Islamic State still holds some territory but has suffered militar­ ily. In Egypt, it is concentrated in the sparsely populated northern Sinai Sunni tribesmen helped U.S. and Iraqi forces turn the tide in the war desert. It holds no territory but conducts hit-and-run attacks. against al Qaeda. Local tribes now say they need help as Islamic State claws its way back. Islamic State has tried to rebuild in Libya through mobile units in the desert and sleeper cells in northern cities. “We know these areas better than the security forces and at least 280 of us have been kidnapped or killed,” said Shammar tribal chief Ali Nawaf. The group has exploited the ethnic and sectarian divide in Iraq. Iraqi and Kurdish forces fought together against Islamic State. Now ties are Last month, militants drove into a village inhabited by Shammar tribes­ strained over a Kurdish bid for independence last year which Baghdad men and kidnapped 30 men, he said. The next day, eight bodies were stifled. found tied up and blindfolded. Nawaf says he has 1,400 men ready to fight but they need help from the government in Baghdad. Lack of coordination has caused a security vacuum in disputed territo­ ries, from which Iraqi forces dislodged the Kurds, creating opportuni­ “Either the government sends more forces, or we raise Daesh flags. If we ties for Islamic State. don’t plug this hole now, entire cities will fall,” Nawaf said. • “Are we expected to go into Diyala and help them clear the area then

26 JUILLET 2018 Trump menace la Turquie de sanctions si elle ne libère pas un pasteur américain Le dossier de ce pasteur accusé par Ankara de terrorisme empoisonne les relations entre les Etats-Unis et la Turquie.

Par LIBERATION, avec AFP président américain, «il n’y a pas de 26 juillet 2018 / preuves crédibles contre lui». Il s’est alors directement adressé au onald Trump a annoncé ce chef de l’Etat turc Recep Tayyip Djeudi d'«importantes sanc­ Erdogan : «Libérez le pasteur tions» contre la Turquie si elle ne Andrew Brunson ou soyez prêts à libère pas «immédiatement» un en payer les conséquences». «Si la pasteur américain jugé pour terro­ Turquie ne prend pas des mesures risme, au risque d’envenimer des immédiates pour libérer cet homme relations déjà tendues avec Ankara. de foi innocent et le renvoyer chez lui en Amérique, les Etats-Unis Pour le président des Etats-Unis, le imposeront des sanctions significa­ pasteur Andrew Brunson, «un for­ tives contre la Turquie jusqu’à sa midable chrétien et père de libération», a-t-il martelé. famille», «souffre beaucoup». «Cet homme de foi innocent doit être L’arrestation du pasteur est l’un des libéré immédiatement», a-t-il nombreux dossiers qui empoison­ réclamé sur Twitter après avoir déjà nent les relations entre Ankara et Le pasteur américain Andrew Craig Brunson à son arrivée le 25 juillet dénoncé la semaine dernière une Washington, alliés au sein de 2018 dans sa maison d'Izmir en Turquie où il a été placé en résidence «honte totale» lorsqu’un tribunal l’Otan, mais qui ont évité de surveillée après près de deux ans d'emprisonnement Photo -. AFP turc avait décidé de le maintenir en justesse un risque de confrontation détention provisoire durant son en début d’année en Syrie. Et la procès, en cours depuis le print­ menace de sanctions a de nouveau turque Mevlüt Cavusoglu, qui s’est putsch manqué de juillet 2016, mais emps. fait monter la tension d’un cran. entretenu au téléphone avec son aussi les séparatistes kurdes du homologue américain Mike Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan Mercredi, un autre tribunal a finale­ «Nous ne tolérerons jamais les Pompeo. (PKK). ment décidé de placer en résidence menaces de qui que ce soit» surveillée cet homme qui était Le pasteur Brunson, qui risque La Turquie réclame de son côté L’administration américaine «doit incarcéré depuis octobre 2016 en jusqu’à 35 ans de prison, est accusé l’extradition de Fethullah Gülen, comprendre qu’elle ne peut pas Turquie. par les autorités turques de terror­ installé aux Etats-Unis, et en fait obtenir le résultat souhaité en isme et d’espionnage pour le régulièrement une condition pour le C’est «un premier pas bienvenu, menaçant la Turquie», a prévenu la compte de deux organisations rapatriement d’Andrew Brunson, présidence turque. «Personne ne mais ce n’est pas assez», a lancé qu’elles considèrent comme leurs mais l’administration américaine peut donner d’ordre à la Turquie. jeudi Mike Pence lors d’une réu­ bêtes noires: le réseau du prédica­ refuse officiellement de lier les Nous ne tolérerons jamais les men­ nion internationale à Washington teur Fethullah Gülen auquel Ankara deux affaires. ♦ aces de qui que ce soit», a dit pour pour «promouvoir la liberté de reli­ impute, malgré ses dénégations, le gion» dans le monde. Selon le vice- sa part le chef de la diplomatie

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IAL-MONITW JULY 25, 2018 Will Iranian Kurds be on front lines of US conflict with Iran? The US administration appears to increasingly be looking at armed Iranian Kurdish opposition groups as part of its campaign to economically and militarily pressure Iran.

Fazel Hawramy July 25, 2018 www.al-monitor.com

he Donald Trump administration is moving to increase pressure on Iran from Iraqi Kurdistan by appointing an Iran expert to head the US TConsulate in Erbil. The move comes as armed Iranian Kurdish opposition groups have intensified their attacks on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions in western Iran. Washington replaced Ken Gross, the outgoing consul general, with Steven Fagin, director of the Office of Iranian Affairs at the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. The appointment appears to be part of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's effort to dent Iran's ability to operate in the region amid the looming reimposition of US sanctions. The United Iranian Kurdish peshmerga from the Kurdistan Democratic Party of States seeks to exert “unprecedented financial pressure’’ on Iran until it Iran take part in a military exercise in Koya, east of Erbil, Iraqi forces Tehran to make a “tangible, demonstrable and sustained shift” in Kurdistan, Oct. 22, 2017. TSAFIN HAMED/AFP policy, Pompeo said in a recent letter, co-authored with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, to the European Union. On July 22, Pompeo delivered a speech to a California audience, including a number of Iranian Americans, in which he attacked the Islamic Republic, comparing its leadership to a command to maximize their impact. mafia. Meanwhile, on July 21, the Kurdistan Free Life Party, affiliated with the Neighbors of Iran are under extreme pressure from the United States to Kurdistan Workers Party, announced the killing of 15 Iranian soldiers near stop trading with it or face consequences. “This time around, the Treasury the town of Marivan, close to the border with Iraqi Kurdistan. Iranian sanctions will be enforced very, very aggressively and very comprehensi­ authorities acknowledged that 11 IRGC and local Basij members were bly,” US Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Marshall Bi Hi ngslea told killed, with eight wounded in the clash. On July 23, Tehran threatened to reporters in Ankara on July 20 following official meetings there. “I think the attack Kurdish opposition group bases if the Kurdistan Regional Turkish government understands our position on that.” Government in Iraqi Kurdistan fails to take action. Feeling the heat, Nazim Dabagh, the KRG's representative in Tehran, told VOA Kurdish on the As director of the Office of Iranian Affairs, which has several outposts same day that the Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in Iraqi around the world, including in Istanbul and Dubai, Fagin was responsible Kurdistan should stop causing trouble for the KRG, and that if they want to for developing, coordinating, recommending and executing US policy on continue their struggle against Tehran, they should relocate to Iran. Iran. He is also familiar with Iraq, Iran's important neighbor to the west, having been posted to the US Embassy in Baghdad prior to 2015 as direc­ Iran sees Iraqi Kurdistan as its backyard and views Kurdish autonomy in tor of the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Office. Al-Monitor the strategic area with suspicion. The Islamic Republic has enjoyed cordial unsuccessfully sought comment on his new appointment from the State relations with the dominant Iraqi Kurdish parties since the 1980s, but the Department. presence of American forces in northern Iraq has raised concerns. IRGC officials regularly accuse the United States of instigating the attacks being For Iran, Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan are important trade and financial corri­ carried out by Iranian Kurdish groups. dors where it has the upper hand vis-a-vis the United States in political, economic and military matters. Fagin's presence in Iraqi Kurdistan is sig­ Earlier this month, US Ambassador to Baghdad Douglas Silliman broke nificant given that the armed Iranian Kurdish opposition groups fighting the ground for the new US Consulate compound outside Erbil. It will be the Islamic Republic are based in the region. Indeed, Fagin met last month United States' largest such compound. Siliman said the project is a “strong with Mustafa Hijri, head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI). symbol of the continued strong relationship between the United States and the Kurdistan Region for decades in the future.” The ever-increasing US The Trump administration had officially invited Hijri for a weeklong stay presence has caused some grumbling among locals. June 11-17 in Washington, where he held meetings at influential think tanks. KDPI and think tank sources briefed on the content of the meetings The US military is expanding its presence at Bashur Airfield near the town said the US government and the KDPI are sussing each other out, to of Harir in Erbil province. The base is located slightly more than 40 miles gauge the seriousness of the other party. Hijri’s meeting with Fagin was from the Iranian border near the Tamarchin/Haji Omran crossing. On July the first time that a director of the Office of Iranian Affairs had met with the 21, dozens of farmers and animal herders poured into the streets of Harir secretary general of the KDPI and followed deadly attacks by the group in to protest a ban allegedly imposed at the request of the United States to western Iran, including one against the IRGC on June 8 in which the Kurds prevent locals from venturing into the mountains that overlook the airfield. claimed to have killed nine Iranians. y far, however, Fagin's most challenging task will be squeezing Iran “The Americans want to know if the Kurds are united and a serious force,” Bthrough the economies of Iraqi Kurdistan and Iraq, including preventing said a source at an influential US think tank, speaking on condition of the IRGC from using these markets to evade sanctions, given the increa­ anonymity. “On the other hand, the KDPI wants to know if Washington is sing difficulty of using Dubai and Istanbul to do so. Many Kurdish traders serious about its aggressive stance on Iran.” and top businessmen have been involved with the Iranian economy for years, and the Iranians have learned how to use their contacts to maneu­ senior KDPI official confirmed the statement to Al-Monitor, saying, ver around sanctions. The Iranian tycoon Babak Zanjani, who has been A“Yes, it is true, we want to know how serious the Americans are.” sentenced to death in Iran for embezzling billions in Iranian oil money and Developments following Hijri’s meetings in the United States appear towas a close associate of the controversial Turkish Iranian gold trader Reza support it as well. Zarrab, had operated in Erbil in the oil sector at the same time he was The KDPI has upped its attacks on IRGC positions in western Iran by moving millions of dollars on behalf of the Iranian government to bypass increasing the number of peshmerga in the country. The KDPI has also nuclear-related sanctions. stepped up efforts to establish an entity through which all the Kurdish par­ “America wants to topple Iran through economic warfare,”Taher, a curren­ ties can coordinate their efforts against Tehran. A KDPI official told Al- cy trader at the old Dollar Market in Sulaimaniyah, told Al-Monitor. “The Monitor that the various organizations are discussing a unified peshmerga Iranian currency has become toxic and no one wants to touch it. It is

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like the [Iraqi] dinar in 2002, before Saddam Hussein was toppled.” making another push at toppling the Iranian government. Washington's investment in a new generation of diplomats with expertise on Iran could The US State Department has not had a presence in Iran since the 1979 benefit the Trump administration's tough stance against Tehran, as one of Islamic Revolution and therefore has had no firsthand knowledge of the these cadres will be based in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq with a country since then. By establishing the Office of Iranian Affairs in 2006, bird's-eye view of Iran. Washington had hoped to develop “on-the-ground expertise so that 10,15, 20 years from now ... we've got a cadre of Iran experts ... to help us reori­ Only time will tell whether Washington will engage in the ‘‘mother of all ent our focus and our programs more directly on an important policy chal­ peace” or the ‘‘mother of all wars” with Iran. Armed Iranian Kurdish groups lenge for the United States, which is Iranian actions around the world.” appear eager to be part of the latter. ♦ Back in 2006, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced a $75 mil­ Fazel Hawramy is an independent journalist currently based in Iraqi lion State Department initiative to ‘‘support democracy in Iran” as part of Kurdistan. Twitter: @FazelHawramy the George W. Bush administration's aggressive policy toward the Islamic Republic. Now, 12 years later, the United States appears to be bent on

LEXPRESS ITT 28 juillet 2018 Les Kurdes syriens vont poursuivre le dialogue avec le régime Premières discussions à Damas entre régime et Kurdes soutenus par Washington

Par AFP , publié le 28/07/2018 J JLkfOCD https://www.lexpress.fr ne Dogru ve Merkezi Olmayan Demokratik bir Süriye inşa Etmek Yolunda Des membres du Qamichli (Syrie) - Une coalition arabo- Conseil démocra­ kurde engagée dans des négociations inédites tique syrien lors avec le pouvoir à Damas a annoncé samedi la d'une réunion à création de "comités" chargés de poursuivre les Tabqa, en Syrie, le discussions, en vue d'une solution politique 16 juillet 2018 prévoyant une "décentralisation". Longtemps opprimés par le régime, les afp.com/Delil Kurdes de Syrie ont profité du conflit qui ravage SOULEIMAN le pays depuis 2011 pour instaurer une autono­ mie de facto dans les régions sous leur contrôle dans le nord et le nord-est syrien, soit près de 30% du territoire selon l'Observatoire syrien des droits de l'Homme (OSDH). Une délégation du Conseil démocratique dique et politique", a précisé Sihanouk Dibo, un négociations. syrien, bras politique des Forces démocra­ conseiller du Parti de l'union Fin 2017, le chef de la diplomatie syrienne tiques syriennes (FDS) soutenues par démocratique(PYD), une formation représen­ Walid Mouallem avait reconnu que les Kurdes Washington, a eu des discussions jeudi à tée au sein du Conseil. syriens souhaitaient "une forme d'autonomie", Damas, à l'invitation du gouvernement syrien, Leur objectif sera "de mettre en place une estimant que cette question était "négociable". les premières du genre. feuille de route menant à la décentralisation de En menant ces négociations à Damas, les "Il a été décidé de former des comités pour la Syrie", a-t-il déclaré à l'AFP. Kurdes auraient cherché à préserver au maxi­ aller de l'avant dans les négociations afin de "Il est encore trop tôt pour parler d'un mum leurs acquis et éviter un conflit avec le régler tous les problèmes en suspens", a indi­ accord mais nous y oeuvrons", a poursuivi le régime qui est en position de force après avoir qué le Conseil démocratique syrien dans un responsable, avant de préciser que les négocia­ réussi à reconquérir plus de 60% du pays avec communiqué. tions seraient "longues et difficiles car le pou­ l'aide de l'allié russe. Ces comités se pencheront sur des problé­ voir de Damas est très centralisé". Le président Bachar al-Assad, qui critique matiques d'ordre "économique, militaire, juri­ Le régime a Damas n'a pas commenté ces le soutien américain aux FDS, avait d'ailleurs menacé en mai de recourir à la force pour reconquérir les territoires kurdes. La minorité kurde (15% de la population) Des membres des contrôle de vastes pans de territoires à cheval Forces démocra­ sur les provinces de Raqa et Alep (nord), mais tiques syriennes aussi de Deir Ezzor et Hassaké, où se trouvent (FDS) et des sol­ d'importants champs pétroliers. dats américains En 2016, la communauté a proclamé une rassemblés au "région fédérale" qui gère ces territoires. Cette champ pétrolier administration organise des élections à un d'al-Tanak avant niveau local et collecte des impôts. Elle a ses de lancer un assaut propres forces de police et écoles. contre le groupe jihadiste Etat is Avec l'appui de la coalition internationale, © Delil souleiman les FDS, fer de lance de la lutte contre le groupe / AFP/Archives jihadiste Etat islamique (El), luttent toujours contre une poche de l'EI à Deir Ezzor. •

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î ntcrnational 'N'cXti JJork ê>imcs july 25, 2018 Turkish president, flush with victory, seizes broad powers

ISTANBUL

Erdogan issues decrees that centralize authority over most areas of society

BYCARLOTTAGALL

Even before President Recep Tayyip Er­ dogan of Tbrkey was inaugurated, he be­ gan elbowing his way into the front ranks of the globe’s strongmen. Hours before taking the oath of office two weeks ago — after 15 years already in power — Mr. Erdogan published a 143-page decree changing the way al­ most every government department and public body in the country operates. In the days since, he has issued sev­ OZAN KOSE/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE — GETTY IMAGES eral equally lengthy decrees and presi­ The lack of checks on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s powers in Turkey has raised dential decisions, centralizing power concern. “The state is being reorganized around Tayyip Erdogan,” a columnist wrote. and giving him the ability to exert con­ trol in nearly all areas of life with almost around Tayyip Erdogan,” the columnist “It seems Erdogan has planned the unchecked authority. Asli Aydintasbas recently wrote in the transition to be as smooth as possible by At a moment when democratic sys­ secular opposition newspaper naming Akar, Turkey’s top soldier, as the tems around the world are under in­ Cumhuriyet. defense minister,” Murat Yetkin wrote in creasing pressure, Mr. Erdogan, who Many of the changes, analysts point The Hurriyet Daily News. was re-elected in June, is among those out, merely formalize what was already Mr. Erdogan outlined his own powers leaders, like Vladimir V. Putin of Russia the case: It is Mr. Erdogan who makes in one new decree after his inaugura­ and Viktor Orban of Hungary, who are the decisions. But the consolidation of tion. He will appoint the chief of staff of using the levers of democracy to vastly his power is far-reaching. the armed forces — along with the com­ expand their authority. Mr. Erdogan has also amended the manders of the land, air and naval forces Among the changes Mr. Erdogan has counterterrorism law in expectation of and the deputy chief of staff — by presi­ put in place under the new presidential lifting the state of emergency, which ex­ dential decision, which needs no confir­ system are these: pired on Thursday and was put in place mation process. • The prime minister’s office has been two years ago after a failed military abolished; coup against him. Decree 703, issued just before Mr. Er­ • The military has been brought under dogan was sworn in to his new term, The new measures bring the powerful firmer civilian control; also removed many of the regulations in Hirkish military firmly under civilian the selection process for appointments. • The president will draft the budget and control — a step that the president says For instance, the president will di­ choose judges and many top officials; is in line with changes required under rectly appoint the rectors of Turkey’s • The president can dismiss Parliament the European Union’s accession public and private universities. and call new elections at will; process. The bloc has dangled admis­ “Yes, U.S. President Trump can ap­ • The president appoints the head of the sion before Turkey for years. point a replacement to a vacant seat in National Intelligence Agency, the Reli­ But Mr. Erdogan and his fellow Islam­ the Supreme Court, but he does not ap­ gious Affairs Directorate and the Cen­ ists have long called for a presidential point a police chief in Massachusetts or tral Bank, as well as ambassadors, gov­ system and for greater civilian control a public theater director in Boston,” Ms. ernors and university rectors, among over the military. Turkey’s recent his­ Aydintasbas commented in others; tory has been filled with military coups, Cumhuriyet. “He cannot appoint a state • Virtually none of the president’s ap­ and the Islamists chafed more than oth­ governor or even a university rector,” pointments require confirmation. ers under military rule. she added. None of the amendments Mr. Erdo­ Mr. Erdogan has placed the armed gan decreed were subject to public de­ forces chief of staff under control of the The decree also lowers the qualifica­ bate. The vast accumulation of power Defense Ministry, and the Supreme Mil­ tions forjudges appointed to the govern­ fulfills Turkey’s shift from a parliamen­ itary Council, which decides senior ment’s administrative courts, which tary system to the presidential one that armed forces appointments, has been regulate government departments. Pre­ was narrowly approved by voters in a reconfigured to include more civilian viously, judges had to hold law or poli­ referendum last year. ministers than military commanders. tical science degrees, but they can now The voluminous decrees, analysts Mr. Erdogan appointed a loyalist, the be drawn from any degree program. say, promise months of administrative former chief of staff, Gen. Hulusi Akar, One of Mr. Erdogan’s most controver­ upheaval as agencies are abolished and as his defense minister. General Akar sial moves has been the appointment of government employees reassigned. . opposed the 2016 coup — he was taken his son-in-law Berat Albayrak as min­ Critics have voiced concern at the prisoner on the night of the failed coup ister of the newly combined Treasury lack of checks on the president’s in­ by rogue officers — and has overseen a and Finance Ministry. creased powers. comprehensive purge of the armed A presidential circular published in “The state is being reorganized forces in the two years since. the Official Gazette over the weekend

52 Revue de Presse-Press Review-Berhevoka Çapê-Rivista Stampa-Dentro de la Prensa-Basin Ôzeti also placed the central bank under the garded officials — Deputy Prime Min­ Yet Mr. Albayrak’s appointment is responsibility of the ministry. ister Mehmet Simsek and Finance Min­ part of the concern unsettling investors, Mr. Erdogan has emphasized that ister Naci Agbal — and that promoted the credit ratings service Moody’s- said changes are needed to make state insti­ Mr. Albayrak. in a statement. “Such appointments will tutions more responsive and efficient. Mr. Albayrak addressed the changes inevitably raise questions regarding the But the latest regulations diminish the at the central bank this month in an ef­ independence and experience of Mr. Er­ legal and practical independence of the fort to calm the markets. dogan’s government,” Moody’s said. central bank, Umit Akcay, an associate “The policy in the new period aims to Ms. Aydintasbas warned that central­ professor of economics at the Berlin render the central bank more effective izing power had never worked in Tur­ School of Economics and Law, said in than ever,” he said at a news briefing. key. emailed comments. The central bank’s decisions will be “I believe that such concentration of Turkish equities and the country’s driven by market conditions, he said, power will tire TUrkey out, lock out the currency fell in value in the days after promising “a more predictable, simple state,and overload the economy,” she Mr. Erdogan’s appointment of a new and determined monetary policy in line said. “I hope I’m mistaken.” • cabinet that removed two highly re­ with the objectives.”

euronews. ^27,2018 Syrian Kurdish-backed council holds talks in Damascus By Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) 27/07/2018 http://www.euronews.com

senior Syrian Kurdish official is in Damascus this week for talks with Syrian government officials at the head of a delegation Aincluding members of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an official said, their first declared visit to the capital. The visit points to moves by the Kurdish-led authorities who control roughly one quarter of Syria to open channels to President Bashar al-Assad's administration as they seek to negotiate a political deal that preserves their autonomy. The delegation in Damascus is headed by Ilham Ahmed, execu­ tive head of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), said Riad Darar, SDC co-chair, speaking by phone from Vienna. The delegation arrived two days ago The meetings were expected to primarily discuss matters of ser­ vice provision in the areas controlled by the Kurdish-led authorities, but Darar said that there was no set agenda and the talks might The outcome of the Damascus meetings was not yet clear, Darar widen to political and security matters. said, adding that he did not know which officials the delegation While the meetings did not mark the start of negotiations, Darar would meet. It was not clear how long they would stay. signalled that this was the aim, saying it was time to "solve our pro­ Talks recently began over a return of state employees and blems ourselves". repairs to one of Syria's most important pieces of infrastructure: the "We have a basis for negotiations," he added. Tabqa dam, Syria's largest, which the SDF took from Islamic State last Any negotiations between Damascus and the SDF would raise new year. questions for U.S. policy in Syria, where the U.S. military has Darar said those talks had been held with delegations that had deployed into SDF-held territory during the campaign against Islamic come from Damascus. Referring to the Damascus visit, he said: 'This State. is certainly the first visit that happened." Assad says the U.S. forces are occupiers. For the first time, Assad The Kurds have been consistently left out of U.N.-led diplomacy said in May that he was "opening doors" for talks with the SDF. He also in line with the wishes of NATO member Turkey, which views Syria's threatened force and said the Americans would leave one way or dominant Kurdish groups as an extension of the militant Kurdistan another. Workers' Party (PKK). The Syrian Kurds have grown wary of the United States, put on Darar forecast the failure of U.N.-backed efforts currently focu­ guard by conflicting statements over its plans in Syria. sed on setting up a constitutional committee grouping the govern­ The area controlled by the SDF, spearheaded by the Kurdish YPG, ment, the opposition and independents. "I don't think this committee spreads across much of northern and eastern Syria and includes will carry out its role," he said. farmland, oil resources, and water. "The door of Geneva will be shut." MOVING CAUTIOUSLY Syria's Kurds, which the state systematically persecuted for The territory expanded well beyond the predominantly Kurdish years, say they do not seek independence, but hope a political deal regions of the north into Arab areas such as Raqqa during the cam­ will safeguard the autonomy. paign against Islamic State. Syrian Kurdish leaders have moved more cautiously than Kurds in The main Syrian Kurdish groups have mostly avoided conflict with Iraq who voted for independence in a referendum last year. The Assad during the war, at times even fighting common foes - inclu­ vote, which Washington opposed, plunged them into crisis and regio­ ding rebels that his forces are gradually crushing with help from nal isolation. Eventually, they were forced to backtrack. • Russia and Iran.

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ASHARQ * AL-AWSAT 23 JULY 2018 Shiite-Kurdish Understandings Pave Way for Largest Iraqi Parliamentary Bloc

Baghdad - Hamza Mustafa 23 July, 2018 - The State of Law alliance is now part of the https://aawsat.com Fateh bloc, as are various Kurdish figures. Efforts are underway to bring in the Sairoun olitical efforts to form the largest bloc at par­ alliance, revealed the politician. Sunnis are also Pliament have not stopped despite the popu­ not being excluded. lar rallies that have swept many parts of Iraq Abadi’s Nasr alliance has been approached and Sairoun alliance leader Moqtada al-Sadr’s to join the largest bloc, but the PM has not yet call that these consultations come to a halt until taken a decision on the matter, which may jeo­ protester demands are met. pardize his representation at the legislature. No His call, however, fell on deaf ears and poli­ less than 28 of his alliance members may opt to tical forces and leaderships have forged ahead join the largest bloc, said the Shiite official. with their attempts to form the largest bloc A file photograph of Iraqi parliament in Despite their reservations against some of An informed source told Asharq Al-Awsat Baghdad. (Renters) the Shiite figures in this bloc, Kurdish lawma­ that understandings between Shiite and Kurdish kers may consent to join it because they would powers are ongoing to form this coalition. like to avoid becoming part of the opposition. referendum. A Shiite politician said that all Shiite This move may allow them to bolster their his­ powers, the Sairoun, Fateh, Nasr, State of Law The informed source stressed that Barzani toric alliance with Shiites in a hope that they and Hikma, want the next government to sought throughout his meetings to restore ties may eventually reap concessions from them in include Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish blocs to avoid to the way they were when the Shiite-Kurdish return to at least obtain some of their demands, the marginalization of any side. alliance was struck continued the official. Shiite delegations had been dispatched to Barzani’s negative experience with Abadi in As for Sunni powers, MP Mohammed al- the Iraqi Kurdistan Region to hold consulta­ wake of last year’s referendum may however be Karbouli said that even though they have been tions with local officials, starting with Kurdistan an obstacle in reaching this goal. He may there­ part of these recent political consultations, Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani. fore lean towards striking an alliance with Fateh Shiite-Kurdish agreements will likely be struck Kurdish delegations were also sent to Baghdad coalition leader Hadi al-Ameri, whom he enjoys at their expense. good ties with, instead of Abadi, said the source. to meet prominent Shiite leaders. Atheel al-Nujaifi, of the Decision alliance, The Shiite politician said efforts are aimed The Shiite politician revealed that recent told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Sunnis will be at reaching a common vision that would revive consultations now put the Fateh coalition as the part of the largest parliamentaiy bloc. largest bloc in parliament, not the Sairoun, the so-called historic Shiite-Kurdish alliance “We do not want to return to sectarian divi­ which had emerged as the shock victor in the that was harmed during Prime Minister Nouri sions,’’ he stressed. al-Maliki’s second term in office between 2010 May parliamentary elections. On Sunni-Kurdish ties, he said: “There are and 2014. The ties were also damaged in 2017 in After striking various political deals, the few disputes in this relationship and they can be wake of outgoing Prime Minister Haidar al- Fateh bloc now boasts 60 lawmakers, while resolved’’ • Abadi’s opposition to the Kurdish independence Sairoun has 45.

K&r JULY 30, 2018 After Saudi, Kuwait to expand commercial ties with Kurdistan

Kosar Nawzad July 30-2018 http://www.kurdistan24.net

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - The Kuwaiti Consul-General in the Kurdistan Region, Omar al-Kandari, said on Monday that an economic delegation from his coun­ The Empire Tower, a business skyscraper in the Kurdistan Region try intends to visit the region in the coming days to expand existing commer­ capital of Erbil. (Photo: Getty) cial relations.

Kandari’s announcement comes after officials from Saudi Arabia, and the The Consul-General added that despite the presence of Kuwaiti companies Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) agreed on July 24 to transform the already operating in Kurdistan, they are willing to develop commercial rela­ Kurdistan Region into a new center of trade and investment in Iraq. tions with the Region. The Consul-General’s words were relayed in a statement about a meeting in He did not specify an exact date for the visit but noted they were making Erbil with the President of the Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dara efforts to expedite it. Jalil Khayat. During their meeting with KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, the Saudi del­ The statement quoted Kandari as saying the Kuwaiti delegation’s visit will send egation expressed its desire to “invest and have [Saudi] businesspersons in the a message to his country’s companies, businessmen, and industries to encour­ Kurdistan Region benefit from the security, stability, and the suitable ground age them to work in Kurdistan. for investment.” ♦

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Newsweek July 31, 2018 Turkey's Erdogan Wants To Crush The Kurds And Recreate The Ottoman World OPINION Jonathan Wachtel and Albert Wachtel On 7/31/18 U.S. President Donald www.newsweek.com Trump and Turkish onsumed by the need for grandeur, des­ President Tayyip pots tend to share their monstrous Erdogan gesture as Cplans, then execute them. Running to be they talk at the start reelected in a race warped in his favor, of the NATO summit Turkey’s President Erdogan campaigned by in Brussels, Belgium demonizing minority Kurds to create a com­ July 11, 2018. mon enemy—as tyrants do. REUTERS/ Kevin Lamarque In troubled times, people worship self- assured leaders, and Erdogan sees himself as the anointed vessel of Ottoman resurrec­ tion. He allowed Islamic State to murder Kurds and unleashed his army on them. He must and can be stopped.

Kurds, formerly referred to as Mountain jihadist foreign fighters to transit Turkey, He is intent on buying the F35, America’s Turks, constitute more than 20% of the creating the incipient Islamic State and stealth fighter, while playing off the pur­ country's citizens. Many want independence, unleashing barbarous terrorism against any chase of NATO’s missile defense system but in 1999, the inspirational, formerly sepa­ who were not fundamentalist Sunnis. With against the best Russian one, which will ratist Marxist leader of the Kurdish Workers’ the Turkish military lolling, ISIS devastated become even better if Moscow gets its Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan, urged peace Kurds in Syrian Kobani. hands on an F35. At the BRICS (Brazil, after being captured and jailed. Most Russia, India, China, South Africa) meeting obeyed, but many still dream of uniting ith U.S. air support, Kurdish People’s last week, Erdogan professed his desire to with Kurdish enclaves in Syria, Iraq and WProtection Units (YPG) liberated join those economic competitors of the Iran to re-establish historic Kurdistan. Kobani and led the fighting that defeated West. the Islamic State. Erdogan sees the PKK and In 2013, Erdogan promised to recognize YPG as one, and accused Assad of allowing If all this sounds irrational, that is because Kurdish identity and language, and increase the PKK to maintain camps near Turkey’s it is. Kurdish liberties. A truce followed, but hos­ border, formerly a safe haven for refugees. tilities resumed in 2015. Erdogan said he was Emboldened by Washington’s earlier deci­ urkish citizens abroad, like NBA player responding to PKK terrorism. The PKK sion not to protect its Kurdish allies in Iraq, TEnes Kanter, have spoken out against claimed Erdogan destroyed the ceasefire by Erdogan attacked Kurdish Afrin in northern Erdogan’s repressive regime. They must be building dams and security stations in Syria, killing, terrorizing and ultimately united in a campaign to turn the Turkish Kurdish regions. In either case, a war was creating a massive refugee crisis. people against Erdogan. on. Erdogan attacked with helicopter gun­ ships, artillery and armored divisions, mur­ He is now changing Afrin’s demographics The free world must not appease tyranny. dering thousands and displacing 335,000 by shipping in anti-Assad Syrian refugees America, as the planet’s most powerful mainly Kurdish citizens. À UN report from Turkey. He threatened to attack Kurds nation, can offer crucial help. The U.S. described destroyed villages as moonscapes. of Syrian Manbij, boasting that he would should join the 29 countries that have rec­ confront U.S. troops there. Instead of stand­ ognized the Armenian Genocide. Erdogan perceives Kurdish nationalism as ing strong, Washington stood down, a grave Acquiescing to Ankara’s false denial an existential threat. mistake with autocrats. The YPG had to encourages a related attack on the Kurds. Recalling the Armenian Genocide, Turkish withdraw, and Turkish media celebrated a Turkey’s current economic problems will Nobel Prize winning novelist Orhan Pamuk victory over America. prove useful in containing Erdogan. lamented Erdogan’s mass killings of Kurds. With Kurds of Syria under his Sunni However, if political purges and attacks on Pamuk was prosecuted for insulting Ottoman thumb, Erdogan wants to join Kurds intensify, the West should stop lend­ “Turkishness,” and public Pamuk book- equally hegemonic Shia Iran in killing east­ ing to Turkey and place economic sanctions burnings followed. International outcry ern Kurdish nationalists in the Qandil on key functionaries including him and his spared Pamuk imprisonment, but he sees Mountains bordering Iran and Turkey. family. his once democratic moderate Muslim country heading towards “a regime of ter­ Despite his alliance with Shiite Iran, The sooner the free world acts against ror.” Erdogan sees himself as the vanguard of Erdogan, the safer our world will be. Turkey Sunnis. He supports the fundamentalist must be transformed. ♦ The coup attempt on Erdogan long over, he Muslim Brotherhood and its Palestinian ter­ ended his two-year-old state of emergency Jonathan Wachtel served as Director of rorist wing Hamas, offending Egypt and the Communications and Spokesperson for the but keeps Turkey in his grip. He accuses Palestinian Authority, which is in deadly American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who for U.S. Mission to the United Nations. As a jour­ conflict with Hamas. He promotes Muslim nalist he covered global conflicts for ABC, more than 20 years has served a small com­ agitation at the Temple Mount/Nobel munity in Izmir, of “Christianization,” Fox and Worldwide Television News. Albert Sanctuary, offending Jordan, the guardian Wachtel, a professor at Pitzer College, one of attacking Islam while supporting the coup of the mosques there. He declares and the PKK. the Claremont Colleges, has written for many Jerusalem the primary city of Islam, offend­ national journals and newspapers. He has Seeking to overthrow Syrian President ing Saudi Arabia, custodian of Mecca and four books out. Assad, Erdogan allowed a highway of Medina, Islam’s holiest sites.

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