Kurdish Global News Update: February 15, 2026

Kurdish History
8 hours ago
3 min read

MUNICH / ALEPPO / QAMISHLI – Today marks the final day of the 2026 Munich Security Conference, a weekend that has fundamentally reshaped the diplomatic standing of the Kurdish people. While leaders secure bipartisan support in Europe, a bittersweet reality is unfolding on the ground as families return to war-torn neighborhoods.

1. The "Munich Breakthrough": US Bipartisan Support

The headline of the day comes from Germany, where SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi concluded a series of high-level meetings that have solidified a "safety net" for the Kurdish-led administration in Syria.

The "Save the Kurds Act": Abdi met with a powerful US Congressional delegation led by Senator Lindsey Graham. The senators reaffirmed their commitment to the "Save the Kurds Act," a legislative pillar designed to ensure that the integration of the SDF into the Syrian national army does not lead to the erasure of Kurdish political identity.
Repeal of Caesar Sanctions: In a major economic shift, Senator Jeanne Shaheen confirmed that the repeal of the Caesar Act sanctions (finalized in the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act) is intended to help the transition. This allows for foreign investment into formerly SDF-held areas to rebuild infrastructure without the threat of US penalties.

2. Rojava: The "Shortest Displacement" and a Tragic Siege

A strange mix of hope and heartbreak is defining the situation in Northern Syria as the SDF-Damascus integration enters its third week.

Return to Aleppo: In the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, nearly 90% of residents have returned following the intense clashes in early January. Observers are calling this the "shortest displacement in Syrian history," as the new transition government moves to build trust with minority groups.
The Siege of Kobane: Contrastingly, the symbolic city of Kobane remains under a "suffocating siege" by government-affiliated forces. Local media reported the tragic death of 12-year-old Dildar Rezan Hasso yesterday, who passed away because he could not be transported to a specialist hospital in Aleppo due to the blockade.
Border News: General Abdi confirmed today that the Semalka (Faysh Khabur) border crossing will remain fully operational under the new agreement, serving as a vital lifeline for trade and aid between Rojava and Iraqi Kurdistan.

3. Iraqi Kurdistan: Infrastructure and Oil

In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), the focus has shifted toward long-term stability and economic repair.

Strategic Roads: The KRG announced today that the Etit–Ba’adre strategic road in Duhok is 75% complete. This is part of a larger push to modernize transport links to facilitate trade with Turkey and Syria.
Refinery Fire: Security was heightened today at the Baiji Oil Refinery following a fire that killed one worker and injured six others. The incident has raised questions about the aging energy infrastructure shared between Erbil and Baghdad.

4. Diaspora: Solidarity and Struggle

The Kurdish diaspora joined massive global rallies this weekend, particularly in Munich and Toronto, where over a million people demonstrated in solidarity with anti-government movements in Iran.

"Woman, Life, Freedom" in 2026: Kurdish activists in the diaspora are highlighting the ongoing executions and arrests in the Kurdish regions of Iran (Rojhilat), framing the struggle as the "organized backbone" of the wider movement to overthrow the theocratic regime in Tehran.

Daily Snapshot

Location	Current Status	Notable Fact
Munich	Diplomatic Victory	US Senators pledge long-term legislative support for SDF.
Aleppo	Stabilizing	90% of Kurdish residents return to Sheikh Maqsoud.
Kobane	Critical	Siege continues despite national integration deal.
Erbil	Developing	Strategic road projects hit 75% completion milestone.