is now saying it will not continue to arm the ypg .hat do you think people in northern syria are expecting, and will they get it? first of all, i think we could say the ypg has been betrayed by the united states, but not the kurds. that would be to say that everyone identifies with the ypg , and that is not the case. i do not think the ypg is that popular. you said they prove themselves in syria. i think that is a difficult phrase. what did they prove? they prove that they do not respect human rights in syria and kurdistan as they do not respect them in turkey or anywhere. if you look at what they did to the population, those pararties national to the syrian council, for example, they close all their offices. those offices simply do not exist anymore. there is no freedom of press -- daniel: welcome to the middle east. eva: it is important to say this. everybody is pretending it is much better in syrian kurdistan that it is elsewhere. ypgs who do not support the will tell you that their situation is more difficult. ypg has killed more o

and the ypg. so i think that makes the situation very complicated, and thesure -- will touch on operation on the ground. domestically, if you look at from the turkish perspective, the anti-americanism we're seeing now is different is because it is much more widespread. there has always been anti-americanism in turkey, but the we see now is the atp, former islamist military, they have all found common ground in something, and that is the anti-kurdish and anti-americanism, and that is what makes it difficult to resolve the tension between turkey and the u.s., and i think that is also a recipe for disaster, because i think turkey has long lost its strategic direction in for policy, and that domestic concern became the backbone of turkish foreign policy. that,a follow up with that was very explanatory from turkey's point of view, but i wonder why this operation is taking place now? is there a reason to consolidate this nationalism and anti-americanism and anti-kurdish sentiment that is widespread, bec

eye then ypg gets too close and they are anxious about that. they change their tune. to make the question about the election is that if people in government circles they have been asking the government to close down. this is the leverage is turkey has over washington. that was the first point of turkey relations. allow them to use that air base but i don't the he will do that. >> and that is very important. >> i am an intern here at the program. can you comment on the situation that the context of how that has the surge of that intense political environment to go along with that? >> also think of the narrative to be built around the operatio operation. >> it is a difficult question with a huge population to support erdogan to those who don't support what is happening so break it down to those people who want to be active and are interested in the democratic movement clearly. just speaking out to criticize , i personally know many other people who have left the countr country. >> there is a change occurring. >> a peaceful change. my students wer

|j glorification of the pkk or ypg, or anything that suggests that...ations pregnant, i have. they did not mention the ypg, all they said is that they would call for peace immediately on humanitarian grounds. what on earth has that got to do with supporting terror? when turkey suffered 700 tax, a lot of people have lost their lives. we did not get any call or condemnation by the likes of those people, so... i put it to you there isa people, so... i put it to you there is a paranoia at work in your government today, we have seen it ever since that attempted coup of the summer of 2016. we have seen 140,000 civil servants arrested, 35,000 people or more, including writers, journalists and academics, arrested. it is a national paranoia that mr erdogan is... no, no, it is not a national paranoia. i think it may be an alien concept to you to understand that the coltish network, religious, secretive network could build 50 years... just to be clear for owl audience, you are talking about... yes, it this is a criminal network for 50 years, they have recruited pe

i think they would like to see a weekend t ypg and weekend. [inaudible] i think after it started, just like the regime was doing in the north. they got too close. [inaudible] the question i think both the people in government circles and your position, they been asking the government to close down but it's not an easy decision an identical come to that. it's one of the few leverages that they have over washington.rk [inaudible] even then turkey did not close down the base. i don't think, yes people are seeing that it's time to close it down in the u.s. is using this airbase so why do we still allow the u.s. to use the airbase. that what what the government and a difficult spot. i don't think he will do that because that is one of the few leverages they have. [inaudible] and that's very unfortunate. if you are doing anti- iran stuff, that is very important. >> okay, i have to give this one here. >> thank you paradigm and in turn here. my question is could you comment on the situation facing young people in turkey and the context of how turkey h

turkey considers the ypg terrorists and is determined to eliminate them. but at what cost political analysts see the move as part of a longer game plan. as a. is testing the reactions from the syrian government iran and russia by targeting cruz syrian government forces entering every in. i think the tech is president is only temporaririly intensify the situation to gain a barargaining chips in future negotiations. those two up. the ongoing fighting has furtrther strained already tense diplomatic relations in the region. leadining to worry that it will get much worse before it gets betetter. you don't see this winding down i see this actually actually increasing in terms of conflict do we think that the russians and ukrainians and their allies in the syrian government. are justly to allow you to step in and have a a a. is you're of influence area operation involved in syria the regime disposition is threatened. there's no way that they can back off. residents in african have mixed feelings about being the new front in the face off between turkey and the syr

we are constantly engaging the ypg to deconflict this and keep the focus on isis.akes a little bit of time sometimes, but we're constantly engaged on this. the country you are specifically responsible for as well as iran is iraq. there are supposed to be elections in iraq in may. do you have full confidence in prime minister abadi, are you backing him and you want to see him succeed in those elections? oh, gosh, the iraqi elections are really interesting. we're not backing abadi specifically. we think his leadership has been extremely positive for iraq, not least of which pulling it back from the brink in 2014. what i would offer is, i think it is a reflection on the progress that has been achieved in iraq, that it is one of the few countries in the region where we genuinely don't know who is going to lead the country after may. there's a couple of main shia candidates. whoever wins will likely amalgamate a list with several, probably several smaller ethnic parties. but we think abadi's leadership has been positive for iraq, that goes without saying. interesting th

turkey launched hit offensive more than two weeks ago, an effort to oust the kurdish ypg. now there's also this video to show you, cnn not yet able to independently verify it. but the video purports to show kurdish forces destroying a turkish tank north of afrin. turkey considers the ypg terrorists but they've been a key ally to the united states in the fight against isis. saturday also proved to be a deadly day for russian troops in syria. the kremlin says militants shot down one of its warplanes in idlib province. this video footage from anti-government activists in syria appears to show the wreckage. russia says the pilot was able to eject but on the ground, mill tajts were there and waiting. the pilot reportedly died fighting those militants. more than 30 militants were reportedly killed in retaliatory strike. let's go live to moscow. cnn's international correspondent fred pleitgen on top of both of these stories from the attack in syria, to this russian warplane that was shot down. fred, what more do we know from officials there in the aftermath of losing both this pi

last week we heard that they are in negotiations with the why p&g and the syrian government —— ypg.stop u nless turkey have said they will not stop unless all of afrin is under syrian control. and they will get involved in any type of buffer zone that will be set between turkey and the white pg -- ypg. is every possibility of a confrontation with the turkish government under syrian government? a p pa re ntly government under syrian government? apparently the ypg have told that these militias are coming to help them with their fight against turkey. but according to the turkish president, the syrian government and the army are coming to afrin and getting control of all of the city centre including its institutions. what is turkish public opinion on what is the turkish military is doing in afrin? according to polls, the turkish public is supporting the government here. they are supporting the operation. it depends on the poll but some of them are showing 70 and some of them are showing 80%. we also must keep in mind that it is very ha rd also must keep in mind that it is very hard for

wa nt arrested by the ypg and if the brits want them to stand trial here then they must request them. the law for those fighting against terrorists and joining literally the people's protection units, the ypg command ypg is not listed on terrorist databases, the area is open to interpretation and there is obviously a moral argument and i do my best to talk to people and tell them i went there to support the local people, the true victims of the islamic state, and those fighting to liberate their own country. i've always said the same thing, people who are going to defeat isis and build a long—term solution to the syrian crisis, they exist already, they are the ypg, the mfs, the sdf, the syrian democratic forces, bringing secular democratic values, which we in the west should support. i've always been very clear on my opinion about what is going on there. macer gifford, thank you for joining us. martin campbell has been listening to that. i know that you support the families of british people who have lost loved ones to is. how important is the news today that these two men who are pa

but i also set up alongside the ypg but i also set up a medical unit. —— raqqa. training to a lot of people say the amount of work i have done is varied. i have done everything i can to support the local people. the home office has warned that anyone whojoins either side on home office has warned that anyone who joins either side on the syrian conflict can be prosecuted. from that point of view, what happened when you return? i have been stopped under section seven of the anti—terrorism act, which is absolutely right, i'm a big supporter of the police. at the end of the day, i have never been arrested before, i am a british citizen that believes passionately in democracy and equality and secular values, i went out to support the real victims of the islamic state in any way i could, if that meant defending them with a weapon in my hand, setting up a medical aid charity, that is something i was prepared to do. the ypg is not listed on nt anti—terrorism act. i spent three yea rs anti—terrorism act. i spent three years there, i have come home, and i am sharing my sto

turkey sees the ypg as terrorists. but the militia are also a key u.s. fight against isis. turkey's president had this morning for whoever is supplying them with weapons. >> translator: regardless of who delivered that rocket system, it seems that they are walking hand in hand with terrorists and we will share it with all the world when it is confirmed. >> cnn's ben wedeman is tracking events in syria from neighboring lebanon. he joins us live from beirut. ben, another story that we've been focusing on. i want to hear from you the latest information you might have on that russian war plane that was shot down saturday and what has happened since then. >> there was an su-25 russian aircraft that was shot down. it's not clear by what, by whom. but certainly what we've seen as syrian attacks on idlib province in northwestern syria. this is really the last major pocket of anti-regime territory. and it really has been the focus of this intensification, certainly after the shooting down of that su-25 on saturday evening. and really the situation there is desper

turkish troops continue their offensive against the ypg. keyoup the u.s.ders a ally againinst the islamic to -h sovereignty. state organization. the alliance is involved in the syrian conflict are constantly shifting. leadingdent erdogan turkey into international isolation? peter: let us picked up immediately on that question. is president erdogan leading turkey into international isolation? ulrike: he is leading turkey into a confrontation with the time he is the same counting on russia. he thinks his biggest ally is putin but turkey is the weaker part. is happening and turkey has to obey. at this point, i think the best -- i think it is the best option the president erdogan thinks he has. news for hisd domestic base because they have economic problems at home. collapsing.omy is high unemployment. he needed to somehow put himself into the role of a big war hero. that is what that was about. status as is turkey's a nato member affected by the crackdown at home and the military incursion a broad? -- abroad? it is a values-based alliance. pastel: the wisdom

they regime is sent into the area to confront pkk there is no problem but that comes in to protect ypgsh army. this map shows the parts of syria held by the government — that is controlled by kurdish forces known as ypg. a huge swathe of territory, much of which borders turkey. since news of this imminent arrival of troops supporting the syrian government, the kurds have now reported an increase in shelling on their positions by the turks. the consequences are already kicking in. here is our reporter on why the syrian government has chosen to get involved. the syrian government offers to get involved two weeks before the turkish offensive started because one of their targets is to take back as much territory as they can from syria. this was under kurdish control for months. it is for the interest to enter afrin. it was for the kurds to understand maybe they have to ask for help. yesterday it was leaked, this agreement was leaked, by that kurdish forces. it's made headlines this morning in the region in all newspapers. later this afternoon and this evening, another spokesman said there

-backed syrian kurdish ypg fighters near the fighters near ypg the syrian kurdish city of afrin, where turkey has launched a bombing and ground offensive. all this comes as the united nations is warning of soaring levels of civilian casualties in syria. this is u.n. high commissioner for human rights spokesperson elizabeth throssel >> this has been a week of bloodshed in syria. more than 1000 cilian casualties in six days. we have received reports of at least 277 civilians have been killed, 230 people were killed in airstrikes of the syrian government and their allies. in addition, 812 people were injured. amy: president trump continues to defend members of his administration who are resigning amid reports of their domest violence and physical abuse. on friday, white house speech writer david sorensen resigned after his ex-wife, jessica corbett, told "the washington post," he physically abused her during their short marriage, including by putting out a lit cigarette on her hand and running over her foot with a car. sorensen's resignation comes after senior aide rob porter resigned as s

and the us has supported the ypg in its fight against isis, turkey and the us nato allies essentiallyinding themselves on different sides of this conflict. and lastly now, in response to a us claim that syria is now producing and using new chemical weapons, the syrian foreign ministry has said that accusation is quote - null and void. they went on to say that the us is looking for what it has termed an excuse to attack syria. >> very complicated and it continues. thank you. >> the super bowl kicking off in just a couple of hours in minneapolis and tom brady may not be the only one breaking records tonight. the weather in minneapolis is the big story. let's check in with rick leventhal who is there. rick! >> molly, even the coldest super bowl ever? it is, the feel the temperature of -14 right now. that has not stopped some people from protesting outside of us bank stadium. will have all the latest on that and all the fans feel that this cold weather, coming up. and then you totaled him. you two had been through everything together. two boyfriends, three jobs... you're like nothing can

cnn can't independently verify the video but it purports to show the kurdish ypg destroying a turkish tank. turkey considers the ypg terrorist but they've been a key ally for the united states in the fight against isis. fred pleitgen is on top of both stories following the attack in syria for this russian warplane that was shot down. what more are you hearing from official there's in the aftermath of losing both this pilot and the plane? >> yeah. the russians are treating this as a serious incident. some of the things we heard last night as well as into this morning is they have started a fierce retaliation for the shooting down of that plane and also the killing of the pilot as well with cruise missiles, launched from the mediterranean by the russians. also some air strikes as well. clearly a big counterattack going on by the russians. and one of the things that we have to keep in mind about that area where this operation took place is the so-called de-escalation zone which is supposed to be guaranteed by the russians, the turks, and the iranians but there is still very, very fierce

will confront syrian forces if they enter the north western district of afrin, to help the kurdish ypg militia repel a turkish offensive. turkey regards the kurdish fighters, just across its southern border, as terrorists. a british university lecturer, described by american officials as the worst child exploitation offender they've found on the internet, has been jailed for 32 years. matthew falder blackmailed victims around the world into sending photographs of themselves carrying out degrading acts, sharing the images on the so—called dark web. the former football coach, barry bennell, has been described as the "devil incarnate" by a judge at liverpool crown court who jailed him for 30 years for abusing young footballers between 1979 and 1991. the former crewe alexandra coach and manchester city scout was convicted of 50 child sexual offences, as our sports editor dan roan reports. they came seeking closure — the victims of barry bennell, accompanied by their families, arriving at court for the sentencing of british sport's most notorious paedophile. their abuser, meanwhile, arrivin

. >> also this video, the kurdish ypg says it shows the attack.et been able to verify that. turkey seized the ypg as terrorists. the militia also a key ally of the united states in the fight. the turkish president has this warning to whoever is supplying them with weapons. listen. >> translator: regardless of who delivered that rocket system, it seems that they are walking hand in hand with terrorists, and we will share it with all the world when it is confirmed. >> the president erdogan. politicians overshadow the people, the people who suffer the most in the syrian civil war. hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in this conflict. many of those people civilians. >> now, this video is said to be from rescuers near damascus. they are desperately trying to free a young girl after her home was hit by a missile. there were reports of airstrikes and shelling in the area over the weekend. and with scenes like that, it's no surprise people are desperate to escape the war in syria. some are braving potentially deadly weather to cross the boa b

washington supports the ypg group while ankara says they are a terrorist organization which must be expelledrom the region. you are watching dw news. still to come, we have got a story of an amazing comeback win in the winter olympics of course. that is coming up in just a few minutes' time. and unusual start for berlin interest -- berlin's international film festival. the opening film is animated. and different, the starring role played by the need to campaign against sexual violence. -- me too campaign against sexual violence. reporter: there has been a frenzy on the markets, there were scenes of jubilation in south africa. many people street -- on the street celebrating, and investors are over the moon as well with the reformer having replaced jacob zuma as president. now benchmark stovetop in stocks sliding over 3.5% thursday, talking up their biggest daily gain in nearly three years. the rams also climbed to his highest in nearly three years -- rand climbed to its highest in nearly three years. and it could also mark the beginning of an economic turnaround. analysts used to refer to sou

attempting to protect the kurdish people's protection unit or ypg syrian program that forces try to ends in the region yesterday but were repelled by to the shelling. this is a school girls missing and i jerry often attack why the israeli group boko haram this according to the local government in the town of your baby girls and all we'd seen this is the attack on monday night. comes four years of the vocal harm kidnapped within two hundred and seventy tales was school in the town of chibok. two french soldiers have been killed in mali off to their own advantage was hit by an improvised explosive device the soldiers were part of operation blockade. which is designed to fight extremist groups in the african region of the site has president macron paid tribute to the soldiers courage and is today. government has been defending and you integration bill of rights groups called it repressive the needle would tighten up the rules was silent speed up devil's haitians and allows orgies. to detain markets for up to ninety days the bozell's oppose arrest rates in michael's i'm policy is not a disea

will confront syrian forces if they enter the north western district of afrin, to help the kurdish ypgborder, as terrorists. a british university lecturer, described by american officials as the worst child exploitation offender they've found on the internet, has been jailed for 32 years. matthew falder blackmailed victims around the world into sending photographs of themselves carrying out degrading acts, sharing the images on the so—called dark web. the former football coach, barry bennell, has been described as the "devil incarnate" by a judge at liverpool crown court

he is referring to the syrian kurdish ypg melissa in syria.s been -- melissa in -- militia in syria. turkey is now saying it fulfills all the necessary criteria for vi free travel to the e.u.. let's remember the e.u. gave turkey a list of 72 criteria or conditions, including freedom of speech and certain human rights standards it needs to fulfill on the way to visa liberalization. they say we did our homework, we are submitting everything to brussels, but the european parliament and the member states have to decide on that, and after the resolution, i doubt the parliament will come up with a positive vote. brent: that was our reporter from istanbul. away from the political chaos, the athletes are ready to go. 13 russians lost their appeal to the court of arbitration for sport. they wanted to compete despite a doping ban on their country. friday, 47 additional russians will learn their fate just as the torch reaches the host city, pyeongchang. [shouting] reporter: the olympic torch's journey is almost over. the flame took a spectacular ride on

south of afrin, syrian kurds have been demonstrating against the turkish offensive, and in support of ypghters, many of whom can be seen in the city. >> the syrian army and we are one. the syrian people and we are one. we are all one, and we have one will. christopher: during a visit to jordan, the turkish foreign minister said a deal would not affect his country's resolve. >> if the syrian regime really goes into afrin, there is no problem. however, if it comes in to protect them, nobody can do for -- determine stop the turkish army. operation olive branch in afrin aims to cleanse these areas from terrorists. christopher: turkey is keen to avoid a kurdish stronghold on its southern border with syria, so it's armed forces launched a major military offensive into afrin last month, in a bid to expel the kurdish fighters that control the region. the offensive has further complicated an already bewildering web of alliances and rivalries in syria. sarah: to help explain the fallout of a possible deal between the syrian kurds and decide, i have with me in the studio a middle east analyst, the e

will confront syrian forces if they enter the north western district of afrin, to help the kurdish ypgacross its southern border, as terrorists. now it's time for hardtalk.

will confront syrian forces if they enter the north western district of afrin, to help the kurdish ypg militia repel a turkish offensive. turkey regards the kurdish fighters, just across its southern border, as terrorists. now it's time for hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk from new york, with me stephen sackur. this city and los angeles are the twin capitals of america's giant movie, media and entertainment business. a business that has been rocked by allegations of systemic sexism, misogyny and abusive behaviour. my guest today is ashleyjudd, the actor and activist and one of the first women to go public with her accusations about the mega—producer harvey weinstein. what began with voices of anger and pain has become a movement, demanding radical change. how far can it go? ashleyjudd, welcome to hardtalk. thank you. in recent weeks and months something quite extraordinary has happened. kickstarted, i suppose, by the allegations concerning harvey weinstein and what we see now is the growth of a real movement of women speaking out. are you satisfied that this has come about or are you deep

confront syrian government forces if they enter the north western afrin district, to help the kurdish ypg troops loyal to syria's president assad, head towards the region.

-backed syrian kurdish ypg fighters near the syrian kurdish city of afrin, where turkey has launched a bombing and ground offensive. all this comes as the united nations is warning of soaring levels of civilian casualties in syria. this is u.n. high commissioner for human rights spokesperson elizabeth throssell. elizabeth throssell: this has been a week of soaring violence and bloodshed in syria -- more than 1000 civilian casualties in six days. we have seen reports that at least 277 civilians have been killed. 230 of these people were killed in air strikes by the syrian government and their allies. in addition, 812 people were injured. the united nations is warning civilians have been killed and wounded at a rapid an escalation in the syrian rebel bombing in a suburb of damascus. at least 200 civilians have reportedly been killed in the last week alone. well, for more, we're joined now by three guests. a u.s. -- and barnard the anne new york times bureau chief in beirut, lebanon. her recent articles are titled, "israel strikes iran in syria and loses a jet" and "it's hard to believe

yet israel shooting down a drone, you have the latest on the turkish border, reuters reported in ypgitia said today the fighters backing the syrian government to playing on the flight line to help repel a turkish assault. actors the international should be concerned about at this stage is primarily the welfare of civilians. international law cannot be more clear. direct attacks against civilians are unlawful and are war crimes. what we need to be seeing is these civilians have lived through horrors upon horrors for the past 6, 7, 8 years. they have been to liberally targeted and a private very basic necessities in order to survive. these kinds of behaviors another actions supporting these kind of violations is what we should really be concerned about. how do we secure civilians, this ongoing onslaught? -- how do we spare civilians, in this ongoing onslaughtht? amy: and the voices of syria, the voices that need to be heard? >> there are voices that are calling for primarily now and end to the war and an end to the violence. people want to be able to survive and live, provide for their

on wednesday, the syrian kurdish ypg militia circulated video showing what it said was the aftermath of an attack on civilians in afrin. >> i was on ththe road when it s shelled. i was injured in my head and legs. do we look like soldiers? it is not a military area. i had d already fled my village with my family. amy: russia's foreign ministry said wednesday the turkish offensive in afrin has killed several hundndred people, including civilians. meanwhile, the turkish offensive has left an ancient temple in the region seriously damaged. photos show the 3000-year-old site of ain dara reduced to rubble after it was hit by turkish airstrikes. in turkey, amnesty international is and him and turkish government after ordered the release of amnesty international turkey chair, then rearrested him. he was first arrested last june wiwith 10 others and acaccused f supporting terrorism. if convicted, they face up to 15 years in jail. in a statement, amnesty international said -- last 24 hours, we have borne witness of a travesty of justice of spectacular proportions driven granted release only t

what do we say to our nato allies regarding our support for kurdish elements in syria, ypg and other elements. what message do we communicate to them? >> the message that i have conveyed is that our kurdish partners, part of the syrian democratic forces, a multi-ethnic force that consists in equal measures and greater messages of arabs and kurds, has been the most effective force on the ground against isis and we need them to finish this fight. so, i think that's the first thing and really, one of the principal things we have acknowledged to them. i think we have to acknowledge their concerns about this and so, our attempts to try to be as transparent and clear in terms of what we are doing and our way forward, i think, are things we have to continue to emphasize to them. >> and make no distinction between the pkk and the elements that we support on the ground in syria. >> they don't draw that distension, that's the tension. >> and you said in response to a question that it is not part of the coalition effort to counter iran in syria. how would you characterize our strategy in syria

jim matthews, 43, from london travelled to syria and fought with the kurdish forces the ypg.ing isis, which documented his fight against the jihadist group. that news is just coming into us in the last few moments. a group of children in glasgow are waging war on plastic, and, in particular, straws. they've already convinced scotland's biggest council to ditch single—use straws, and people in the village of ullapool have also agreed to abandon them. now the children are taking their campaign further afield. our scotland correspondent, lorna gordon, joined them on the isle of arran. they call themselves the ocean defenders. passionate about nature and conservation, and on a mission to end the use of plastic straws. now they're heading across the water to arran in a bid to spread the word. i care about it because there's animals out there in danger because they're eating plastic. it's our future, and we need to make sure that it's not all gone when we grow up. the straw campaign works from both ends... the youthful campaigners from sunnyside primary think the key to their war a