SHIGUR (SINJAR), Iraq — Iraq began transferring strategic military positions on Mount Shigur (Sinjar) to federal forces on 26 October, as the Sinjar Resistance Units (YBS) agreed to end their independent military structure and integrate their members into the country's official security institutions. The move, overseen by Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief Ali al-Zaidi, is intended to consolidate state authority in Shigur (Sinjar), a predominantly Yezidi district, with a Syriac and Armenian minority, in Nineveh Governate that has struggled to recover from the terrorist ISIS organization's 2014 genocide.

ANKARA — Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) is stepping up consultations with political parties over the country’s peace process, the proposed 2027 budget and plans for a parliamentary committee to oversee the process, as negotiations move toward a new phase of political engagement. DEM Party co-chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan are leading the consultations, which follow meetings with civil society organizations and trade unions and now focus on building dialogue among political parties represented in the Turkish parliament.

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The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has condemned attacks attributed to the Houthi militia in southern Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its support for the

Nearly 10 years after Colombia signed a historic peace agreement to end a decades-long insurgency, the deal is under strain from growing insecurity – and the UN’s top official in the country says it cannot be allowed to falter.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Tshwane on Wednesday to discuss preparations for South Sudan's December elections and the country's fragile peace process. The meeting occurred days after Ramaphosa, as chair of the African Union's High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan, led regional discussions on whether the country is ready for the December 22 vote. The leaders focused on implementing the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, political dialogue, and electoral preparations, with South Africa expected to support the electoral process. Ramaphosa urged South Sudan to address remaining political, security, and logistical challenges to ensure the elections are peaceful, credible, and inclusive. The discussions come amid ongoing concerns about the stability of South Sudan's peace process, which has faced numerous challenges since the signing of the 2018 agreement. The African Union has been actively involved in mediating the conflict, with South Africa playing a key role in facilitating dialogue between the warring factions. The upcoming elections are seen as a critical test for South Sudan's democratic development and the sustainability of the peace process. Both leaders emphasized the importance of a transparent and inclusive electoral process that reflects the will of the South Sudanese people. The meeting also highlighted the need for continued international support to address the complex challenges facing South Sudan, including security concerns and the need for economic development. Ramaphosa's engagement underscores South Africa's commitment to regional stability and its role as a mediator in African conflicts. The discussions are part of broader efforts to strengthen democratic institutions in South Sudan and to prevent a relapse into conflict. With the December elections approaching, the focus remains on ensuring that all stakeholders are prepared to participate in a free and fair electoral process. The outcome of these talks could have significant implications for the future of South Sudan and the broader region.

The Philippine government, through Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr., is pushing to complete the decommissioning of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants to advance the Bangsamoro peace process. This follows the September 25 meeting of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and MILF Peace Implementing Panels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where both sides reaffirmed their partnership and committed to advancing outstanding provisions of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB). The meeting produced a Declaration of Continuity of the Partnership and approved terms of reference for a technical working group to develop an updated roadmap for implementing the agreement. As of July 4, 2024, 26,145 of the 40,000 MILF combatants covered by the decommissioning process had been decommissioned, representing 65.4% of the target. Additionally, 4,625 of the 7,200 weapons covered by the process had been decommissioned, or 64.2%. The fourth and final phase, involving 14,000 combatants and 2,450 weapons, was deferred by the MILF in 2025 due to concerns over socioeconomic commitments. Joint engagements resumed in August 2026, leading to the renewed efforts at the September meeting. Lagdameo emphasized that normalization extends beyond decommissioning to include socioeconomic development, security arrangements, disbandment of private armed groups, civilian protection, and transitional justice and reconciliation. The government reported investing P4 billion in socioeconomic support for decommissioned combatants since 2019, including P100,000 transitional cash assistance per combatant, PhilHealth enrollment, civil registration, skills training, and emergency employment. For 2026, additional assistance was allocated for 3,500 beneficiaries under an educational assistance program and 2,000 for skills training. The peace panels also advanced security and civilian-protection mechanisms, extending the mandate of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group until September 25, 2027, and the Civilian Protection Component until September 25, 2028. On transitional justice, recommendations were approved to strengthen legislative measures for establishing a National Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission for the Bangsamoro, to be submitted to Congress for legislative action. Lagdameo stressed that completing the remaining normalization commitments under the CAB will be a key measure of progress toward a stable and peaceful Bangsamoro, emphasizing the need for sustained coordination among the national government, MILF, and Bangsamoro government to resolve outstanding concerns and ensure promised assistance and security provisions are delivered.

ANKARA — Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz (Justice and Development Party, AKP) said Thursday that the country’s “resolution process” is moving forward through parliamentary and executive mechanisms, while declining to provide a specific timeline for completing its first phase. Yılmaz spoke to journalists following the opening ceremony of the new legislative year at the Turkish Parliament, where questions focused on Parliament’s agenda, pending legislation, and the framework surrounding what the government calls the “Terror-Free Turkey” process.

ANKARA — Feti Yıldız, deputy leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi, MHP), has outlined the duties of a parliamentary monitoring committee to be established as part of the political process known as the resolution process, which aims to address the conflict with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Yıldız said the committee would oversee the implementation of measures under the relevant framework law, assess developments, and submit recommendations to the appropriate authorities.