-
Syrian Kurdish Identity: History and Struggle

The Kurdish identity in Syria carries a long history of struggle and challenge. The Kurds have formed an essential element in the fabric of Syrian society, despite the attempts of past Syrian regimes, particularly under the Ba'ath Party and the Assad regime, to erase this identity and impose a repressive policy aimed at marginalizing them politically and culturally. Over the decades, the Kurdish identity has been targeted by various oppressive policies, including a ban on the use of the Kurdish language, restriction of cultural activities, and suppression of expressions of national identity. Despite all this, the Kurds succeeded in preserving their cultural and folkloric identity through resistance, challenge, and ongoing struggle.
Since the Ba'ath Party seized power in Syria in the mid-20th century, the Kurds have faced systematic discrimination aimed at erasing their national identity. These policies manifested in the prohibition of the Kurdish language and stringent restrictions on its use in education, media, and literature, creating a deep educational and cultural gap. Moreover, the Syrian authorities launched an exceptional census project in 1962 targeting Kurdish areas, resulting in tens of thousands of Kurds being stripped of their Syrian citizenship. In the early 1970s, the Arab Belt Project confiscated Kurdish lands in areas known as the "Ten Line," resettling individuals brought in from Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor. Consequently, the Kurds were forced to live in a state of legal turmoil that hindered their participation in political and social life.
In addition to legal marginalization, the Ba'ath regime worked to combat Kurdish political and cultural symbols. Celebrations of Nowruz, an important national, cultural, and identity symbol, were banned, undermining the possibility of organizing activities that promote the cohesion of Kurdish identity, except in secret and at a minimal level.
Despite ongoing repression, Kurds in Syria were not powerless in their struggle and challenge; they engaged politically and formed parties that defended their legitimate rights in Syria. Many Kurdish leaders and intellectuals faced arrest and torture, with some spending years in Syrian security prisons. In 2004, a Kurdish uprising erupted in the city of Qamishli following a sporting event involving the Al-Jihad team from Qamishli and the Al-Fotuwa from Deir ez-Zor. The instigation and sectarian strife fueled by the security authorities in Al-Hasakah led to clashes between the supporters of the two teams, which transformed into mass protests reaching the very heart of the Assad criminal regime in Damascus, shaking the foundations of his throne against its racist and chauvinistic policies that sowed division and racial tensions between Kurds and Arabs. This uprising marked a pivotal moment in the expression of Kurdish popular rejection of exclusion, as thousands took to the streets demanding their legitimate cultural and political rights as Syrian citizens. Despite the Assad regime's violent suppression of these protests, it affirmed the Kurds' rejection of all its unethical policies and practices against them.
Simultaneously, the Kurdish political movement began seeking new alliances with the Syrian opposition and national forces. In 2005, the Kurds, alongside these national forces, contributed to the establishment of the Damascus Declaration, a political coalition aimed at overthrowing the Ba'ath regime and achieving justice for all Syrian constituents. This alliance was an important step toward the Kurds' engagement with other national forces, paving the way for a new phase of political action.
With the outbreak of the Syrian revolution in 2011, the Kurds actively participated in the peaceful popular movement demanding the overthrow of the regime. In the context of the revolution, the Kurds articulated their demands more clearly, calling for the fall of the regime and coordination with revolutionary forces to work in a future Syria on recognizing the Kurdish language as an official language, developing educational curricula that reflect their culture, and establishing independent cultural institutions to promote their identity. Their demands also included political rights, such as granting autonomy to Kurdish areas. This movement highlighted the Kurdish issue as an integral part of the broader Syrian national demands, emphasizing that their rights represent a fundamental component of any comprehensive political solution.
Despite the successes the Kurds achieved in reviving their cultural identity, internal and external political challenges persist. Internally, the Kurdish movement suffers from political divisions among Kurdish political factions, sometimes leading to weak coordination in facing common challenges. Moreover, the Kurds face other challenges stemming from attempts by external parties to exploit ethnic and sectarian divisions to advance their political agendas, complicating the Syrian landscape even further. In this context, there is a pressing need to strengthen Kurdish unity and develop a joint vision with other Syrian national forces to achieve the revolutionary goals of freedom, justice, and a decentralized system that guarantees the rights of all components without exclusion or marginalization.
Reviving the Kurdish identity in Syria is not merely about reclaiming lost cultural rights; it is part of a broader struggle for freedom and dignity for all Syrians. Achieving this goal requires strengthening relations between Kurdish forces and unifying their ranks, alongside building partnerships with other.
By: Azeddine Mulla
You May Also Like
Popular Posts
Caricature
BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
opinion
Report
ads
Newsletter
Subscribe to our mailing list to get the new updates!