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Kurds Reveal Meetings with Syrian Govt to Protect Border against Turkey

Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters walk at a position along the battle frontlines with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the countryside of Syria's northern city of Manbij, on June 8, 2022. (AFP)
Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters walk at a position along the battle frontlines with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the countryside of Syria's northern city of Manbij, on June 8, 2022. (AFP)
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Kurds Reveal Meetings with Syrian Govt to Protect Border against Turkey

Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters walk at a position along the battle frontlines with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the countryside of Syria's northern city of Manbij, on June 8, 2022. (AFP)
Turkish-backed Syrian opposition fighters walk at a position along the battle frontlines with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the countryside of Syria's northern city of Manbij, on June 8, 2022. (AFP)

A prominent Kurdish official revealed that meetings have been held between the autonomous Kurdish authority in the region east of the Euphrates River and representatives of the Syrian government to reach understandings on “protecting” the Syrian-Turkish border.

The talks, which were sponsored by Russia, are the first amid a rise in Turkey's threats that it will carry out a new incursion into Kurdish-held regions in northern Syria.

Forces loyal to Syrian president Bashar al-Assad are deployed in limited numbers along the lines that separate the regions held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and pro-Turkey opposition Syrian factions, mainly in the al-Hasakeh, al-Raqqa and Aleppo provinces.

Amid the Turkish threats, Damascus has reinforced its positions in the northern Raqqa and eastern Aleppo countrysides.

Badran Jia Kurd, a vice president of the autonomous authority that runs the regions held by the SDF, confirmed the discussions that were held between the Kurds and the regime.

He told a press conference that an understanding between the two sides over protecting the border has been in place since 2019.

The latest talks have focused on expanding the understanding for the sake of the stability of the region, he added.

Damascus must have a clear stance on the Turkish threat and it must confront any Turkish incursion because it targets the whole of Syria and jeopardizes its unity, stability and future, he declared.

Jia Kurd warned that any Turkish attack will be met with “strong resistance.”

“Our people will not allow an attack against their gains and regions,” he vowed, stressing the need to also protect the gains claimed in defeating the ISIS terrorist group.

Turkey views the SDF, whose military backbone is formed of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), as a terrorist group. The US, however, sees the Kurdish forces as trusted allies in its war against ISIS in Syria.

Through its meetings with the regime, the SDF is hoping to transfer protection of the border to Damascus to avoid the latest Turkish offensive.

Damascus has its own interests and is seeking to reclaim the oil-rich regions that are held by the Kurdish forces. These regions are also Syria’s breadbasket, producing the bulk of its wheat and barley.

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Arab World

Yemen's Mokha Port Halts Operations after Houthi Attacks

Flames and smoke rise from the port of Mokha during a strike in Yemen, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdulnasser Alseddik)
Flames and smoke rise from the port of Mokha during a strike in Yemen, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdulnasser Alseddik)
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Yemen's Mokha Port Halts Operations after Houthi Attacks

Flames and smoke rise from the port of Mokha during a strike in Yemen, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdulnasser Alseddik)
Flames and smoke rise from the port of Mokha during a strike in Yemen, Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdulnasser Alseddik)

Yemen's Mokha port has suspended commercial and maritime operations after being hit by more than 25 missiles in Houthi attacks over recent days, the port's director said on Saturday.

The attacks killed seven people and caused an estimated $16 million in losses, the director told a news conference.

The latest attacks come amid an ongoing Houthi escalation that has lasted for about two weeks, targeting military positions and vital facilities in government-controlled provinces, alongside an intensification of operations on several fronts.

Brig. Gen. Sadiq Duwaid, spokesman for the National Resistance Forces, said the group had launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones in recent days at the city of Mokha, its port, and surrounding facilities.

Duwaid believes the group turned to targeting civilian infrastructure after suffering losses on the battlefronts, while government forces say the latest attacks are aimed at weakening economic activity and depriving residents of essential services and sources of income.

The repeated strikes made it difficult for ambulance and field teams to reach the port in the early hours, according to the National Resistance Forces' military media outlet, which said the intensity of the bombardment hindered firefighting operations and efforts to assess the damage and casualties.

Arab World

Baghdad and Erbil Strengthen Coordination on Border Security and Combating Smuggling

Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani receives National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Aboudi in Erbil on August 15, 2026 (government media).
Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani receives National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Aboudi in Erbil on August 15, 2026 (government media).
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Baghdad and Erbil Strengthen Coordination on Border Security and Combating Smuggling

Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani receives National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Aboudi in Erbil on August 15, 2026 (government media).
Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani receives National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Aboudi in Erbil on August 15, 2026 (government media).

Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim Al-Aboudi discussed with Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani on Saturday the continuation of coordination between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region on border security and combating smuggling, as a high-level Iraqi committee held a meeting in Erbil to review implementation of the security agreement between Baghdad and Tehran.

Al-Aboudi arrived in Erbil on Saturday morning at the head of a security delegation at the direction of Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi. The visit focused on joint security issues between the federal government and the region, as well as following up on the provisions of the security agreement between Iraq and Iran.

Al-Aboudi's office said in a statement that the national security adviser met with Barzani in Erbil, where they discussed "the overall situation inside Iraq," along with the latest regional and international developments.

The statement added that the two sides discussed continued coordination and cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil in securing the borders, maintaining security and stability, and strengthening security cooperation, as well as exchanging information to prevent smuggling and combat terrorism.

Al-Aboudi conveyed a message from Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi stating that the federal government is committed to making every effort to maintain the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region and all Iraqi cities.

Security Agreement with Iran

Also in Erbil, the Higher Committee responsible for implementing the joint security agreement between Iraq and Iran held a meeting chaired by Al-Aboudi, with the participation of a Kurdistan Regional Government delegation headed by Interior Minister Reber Ahmed.

The regional Interior Ministry said the meeting addressed details of the security agreement, particularly measures to secure the borders, prevent infiltration and smuggling, and maintain security and stability in Iraq.

According to a statement from Al-Aboudi's office, the committee reviewed the implementation of the agreement's provisions and stressed the need for continued communication and coordination between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government regarding implementation of the agreement, in accordance with the directives of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and in a manner that serves "Iraq's interests and sovereignty."

The meeting comes as part of efforts to follow up on implementation of the security agreement concluded by Iraq and Iran to address the issue of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups based in the Kurdistan Region. The agreement focuses on preventing Iraqi territory from being used to launch attacks against Iran and strengthening control over the shared border.

The issue carries security and political significance for Baghdad and Tehran, given the mountainous border stretching between Iraq and Iran and the presence of armed Iranian Kurdish groups in parts of the Kurdistan Region.

The Kurdistan Regional Government participates in implementing border-related arrangements, while the federal government retains constitutional responsibility for foreign policy and Iraq's international border security.

Al-Aboudi's move in Erbil comes as the Al-Zaidi government seeks to strengthen security coordination between Baghdad and Erbil on issues including border control, combating smuggling and terrorism, while also following up on Iraq's security commitments to Iran.

Arab World

Hezbollah Says Israeli Attacks will Be Met with 'Appropriate' Response

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem (file photo- Reuters)
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem (file photo- Reuters)
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Hezbollah Says Israeli Attacks will Be Met with 'Appropriate' Response

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem (file photo- Reuters)
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem (file photo- Reuters)

Hezbollah said that Israeli attacks on Lebanon would be met with an "appropriate" response after deadly strikes on the country's south on Saturday, urging authorities to halt "humiliating" negotiations with Israel.

Israel "must clearly understand that its attacks, violations and attempts to impose a fait accompli cannot continue, and will be met with an appropriate response", the Iran-backed group said in a statement.

The Lebanese authorities "must not insist on continuing along the humiliating path of direct negotiations and providing the enemy with free concessions".