Photo source: Arab News By Naveed Qazi | Editor, Globe Upfront In a calculated manner, Turkey launched its new cross-border operation, codenamed Claw Lock against Kurdistan Worker’s Party in northern Iraq in April 2022. Post-2015, it is Turkey’s latest effort to strangle PKK’s freedom of movement, and gradually weaken its associates. Operation Claw-Lock is the successor of the similarly named joint air and ground operations Claw-Lightning and Claw-Thunderbolt in 2021, and Claw-Eagle and Claw-Tiger in 2020. The Turkish military is carrying out helicopter-borne commando raids on mountains and into caves. Unlike past operations that concluded by winter, Turkish forces, in these new operations, are making gains all year round, through the establishment of an increasing number of military outposts, and forward operating bases in strategically important areas. Although these operations have failed to rout out PKK in the Qandil stronghold, they have nevertheless put unprecedented pressu...

By Naveed Qazi | Editor, Globe Upfront On 25 September 2017, a binding independence referendum will take place in Iraqi Kurdistan that was initially planned in 2014. This development has been criticised by Turkey, Iraq and Iran as these three neighbours have always looked down upon their aspirations for freedom. They deem the referendum causing a ‘greater conflict’ and ‘destabilisation’ in the region. A majority of five million Iraqi Kurds voting for independence is widely expected. Kurds always wanted a nation of their own, ever since the end of First World War. For this cause, no one can deny that they have given epitome of sacrifices. When colonial powers redrew the maps in Middle East, the Kurdish people faced a miserable brunt because the land they belonged to was divided into Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq. In each of their retaliations throughout recent history, they had been beaten because of a stronger military opponent. Now, this is a historic time for the Kurdish peop...