Syria Grants Citizenship to Kurds, Aligning with Turkish Unity Initiative
Syria has begun granting citizenship to its Kurdish minority, particularly the approximately 150,000 individuals rendered stateless by a controversial 1962 census. This significant policy shift occurs two years after the fall of the Baathist regime and aligns with Türkiye's 'terror-free Türkiye' initiative, which aims to foster unity between Turks and Kurds while dismantling PKK influence. The move follows a January decree by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, which also recognized Kurdish as a national language and enshrined cultural rights. Registration centers in northeastern cities like Qamishli and Hassakeh are processing applications from previously unregistered residents who faced severe legal restrictions, including inability to own property or access education. The integration process includes political steps such as appointing former YPG member Sipan Hamo as assistant defense minister and integrating YPG forces into the national army. This development marks a new era for Syria's disenfranchised Kurdish community, addressing decades of marginalization while supporting regional stability efforts coordinated with Ankara to dissolve separatist structures in northeast Syria.
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Syria Grants Citizenship to Kurds, Aligning with Turkish Unity Initiative
Syria has begun granting citizenship to its Kurdish minority, particularly the approximately 150,000 individuals rendered stateless by a controversial 1962 census. This significant policy shift occurs two years after the fall of the Baathist regime and aligns with Türkiye's 'terror-free Türkiye' initiative, which aims to foster unity between Turks and Kurds while dismantling PKK influence. The move follows a January decree by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, which also recognized Kurdish as a national language and enshrined cultural rights. Registration centers in northeastern cities like Qamishli and Hassakeh are processing applications from previously unregistered residents who faced severe legal restrictions, including inability to own property or access education. The integration process includes political steps such as appointing former YPG member Sipan Hamo as assistant defense minister and integrating YPG forces into the national army. This development marks a new era for Syria's disenfranchised Kurdish community, addressing decades of marginalization while supporting regional stability efforts coordinated with Ankara to dissolve separatist structures in northeast Syria.
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