Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree on Friday affirming the rights of Kurdish Syrians, according to state media, in a move widely seen as an overture to the minority group following recent clashes between government and Kurdish forces. The presidential decree recognized Kurdish as a national language alongside Arabic and designated Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebrated by Kurds, as an official holiday in Syria.
Mr. al-Sharaa also called for the government to grant Syrian citizenship to Kurdish residents who were stripped of it following a 1962 census that aimed to curb Kurdish political influence. The announcement followed days of intense fighting between Mr. al-Sharaa's government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (S.D.F.), raising concerns of a broader conflict.
"Beware of believing the narrative that we want harm to our Kurdish people," Mr. al-Sharaa said in a video announcing the decree, which was posted on the Syrian Arab News Agency, the state media outlet. "Your well-being is our well-being."
The relationship between the Syrian government and the Kurdish population has been fraught with tension for decades. Kurds have long faced discrimination and restrictions on their cultural and political rights. The 1962 census, which stripped many Kurds of their citizenship, remains a significant grievance.
Over the past year, Mr. al-Sharaa's government and the S.D.F. have been engaged in intermittent negotiations regarding the future of Kurdish-held areas in northern Syria. The S.D.F., which played a key role in the fight against ISIS, controls a significant portion of territory in the region. The recent clashes underscored the fragility of the situation and the potential for renewed conflict.
While the decree was welcomed by some as a positive step, skepticism remained among Kurdish leaders. Some expressed concern that the move was merely a tactical maneuver by the government to ease tensions and consolidate its control. Others called for concrete actions to implement the decree and address the underlying issues facing the Kurdish population. The S.D.F. has yet to issue an official statement regarding the decree. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this overture can lead to a more lasting resolution of the conflict and improved relations between the Syrian government and its Kurdish population.
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