Far-Flung Postcards: Celebrating Nowruz in Afrin, Syria

NPR's international correspondent shares a moment from her visit to Afrin, Syria, where Kurdish people are celebrating the Nowruz festival amidst a dark past of war and atrocities, showcasing resilience and hope.

Disbandment of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced its disbandment and disarmament after a four-decade insurgency against the Turkish state. The PKK sought to create an independent Kurdish state on Turkish soil. The dissolution raises questions for Turkey and Kurdish forces in Syria. The U.S. and EU are allied with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the YPG in the fight against terrorism.

Peace efforts in Turkey involving Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan and the PKK

Imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan calls for the Kurdistan Workers' Party to lay down its arms and dissolve as part of a new peace effort initiated by Turkey's President Erdogan's coalition partner. Ocalan's call comes after decades of conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Syrian Democratic Forces engaging with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are preparing to engage with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, currently in charge of Syria. HTS recently took over Damascus, prompting Bashar Assad to flee to Russia. The SDF is reaching out to HTS as they face attacks from the Syrian National Army (SNA) backed by Turkey. The SDF is also concerned about the resurgence of ISIS in the region and the security of ISIS prisons under their control.