Sirwan Kajjo

The writer is a Syrian-Kurdish journalist based in Washington.
Kurds protesting near Syrian-Turkish border

The Kurdish options in Raqqa

The final phase of the assault came immediately after the US announced a shipment of weapons and ammunition directly to Syrian Kurdish fighters of the YPG.

JUNE 17, 2017
TURKISH RIOT police use water cannon as Kurdish demonstrators throw fireworks during a protest in central Istanbul, July, 2015.

Turkey’s new Kurdish predicament

For Ankara to have a strong role in the ever-changing region, it needs to reconcile with the Kurds. Anything less than that would backfire against Turkish interests across the Middle East.

AUGUST 9, 2015
Turkish Kurds look towards the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani from the top of a hill close to the border line between Turkey and Syria near Mursitpinar bordergate

Syrian Kurds are not carrying out ethnic cleansing

Accusations of “purging Arabs” would only negatively affect their role in the war on IS – something we don’t want to see.

JUNE 20, 2015

Why the US and the West should help Syrian Kurds

Across the Middle East, Kurds are one of the most secular ethnic groups, and Syrian Kurds are no exception.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
A Turkish soldier stands guard as Syrian Kurds wait behind a border fence near the southeastern town of Suruc on September 22

Who benefits from bombing Syria’s Kurdish region?

Syrian Kurds will likely abandon the position they have adopted throughout the uprising: remaining peaceful during the revolution.

OCTOBER 16, 2012
Syrian Kurds wearing Syrian opposition flags 370 R