Middle East

Turkey’s Kurds react to PKK leader’s call to disarm group

Israel's army admits failures in staving off Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack

Many Israelis believe the failures of Oct. 7 extend beyond the military and blame Netanyahu for a failed policy of deterrence and containment in the years leading up to the attack

Imprisoned Kurdish leader urges PKK to disarm and disband as part of peace effort with Turkey

In a message from his prison on an island off Istanbul, Abdullah Ocalan says Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, should hold congress and decide to disband

Kurdish peshmerga commander warns of security gaps in former ISIS areas 

The officer points out that the two forces do not have the ability to control these areas together

Israelis mourn as they bury woman and her toddlers killed in Hamas' captivity

Israelis mourn as they bury a mother and her sons killed in Hamas' captivity. The funerals come as the first stage of a ceasefire between Israel and the US-designated terror group is ending with no plan for proceeding to the next stage. Linda Gradstein reports from Tel Aviv. Camera: Ricki Rosen.

Hamas returns bodies of 4 hostages; Israel releases more Palestinian prisoners

Ceasefire's six-week first phase expires this weekend

IAEA: Iran’s stock of near-bomb-grade uranium grows sharply

Two reports say no real progress has been made on resolving long-running nuclear-related issues with Iran

'Manbij will never have rest,' Syrian resident says amid war in north

Since the Syrian civil war mostly ended in December, fighting has continued outside the city of Manbij, where car bombs have killed dozens. As VOA’s Heather Murdock reports from Manbij, locals say their city will “never have rest.” (Videographer: Yan Boechat)

Syrian Kurds denounce exclusion from National Dialogue Conference

Israel, Hamas agree on new exchange, leaving fragile ceasefire intact

The breakthrough appears to clear the way for the return of the bodies of four more hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners

US increases airstrikes against al-Qaida affiliate in Syria