Syria’s President Declares Kurdish a National Language: A Step Forward, But Not Enough
In a landmark move, Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa has officially designated Kurdish as a national language. This decree, announced on Friday, marks the first formal recognition of Kurdish rights since the country gained independence in 1946.
Yet, while the Kurdish administration in northern and northeastern Syria welcomed this development, they emphasized that it remains insufficient. “This is a first step, but it does not fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people,” the administration remarked in a statement on Saturday, as reported by AFP. They underscored that “rights are not protected by temporary decrees, but through permanent constitutions that reflect the will of the people and all segments of society.”
The new decree allows for Kurdish to be taught as an elective in schools located in Kurdish-majority areas, a significant stride for the community. However, the context of this announcement is marred by recent violence; it follows a series of clashes between the Syrian army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo, further complicating an already tumultuous landscape.
As the region grapples with these complex dynamics, the call for enduring rights and recognition remains clear.
