Where Do Recent Developments in Iraq and Syria Leave Kurds?

FEATURING KANI XULAM – The Syrian Democratic Forces, with the backing of the US military, have declared the northern Syrian city of Raqqa liberated from the Islamic State. The SDF is dominated by Kurdish YPG forces.

The Raqqa situation unfolded within days of Iraqi forces retaking the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk from Kurdish Peshmerga forces. US military units are on the ground attempting to stop the brewing conflict between Iraqi forces loyal to Baghdad and Kurdish fighters, both of which have received the support of the US.

Three weeks ago a Kurdish referendum passed overwhelmingly in favor of independence. But the US, which has historically backed Kurds, has called the vote “illegitimate.”

For more information visit www.kurdistan.org and follow Mr. Xulam’s Twitter @AKINinfo.

Kani Xulam, Director of the American Kurdish Information Network.