Damascus Moves to Integrate Kurdish Population Following Territorial Consolidation

The Syrian Ministry of Interior has initiated the rapid implementation of a decree granting immediate citizenship to the country's Kurdish population. This administrative acceleration follows a swift military offensive by Syrian government forces that has resulted in the consolidation of control over key northern territories previously held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), including Raqqa and Deir Az Zor.Interior Minister Anas Khattab issued the directive, which explicitly covers all Kurds residing within Syria, crucially including those previously registered as stateless. The ministry has established a tight deadline of February 5 for the full rollout and finalization of these new citizenship measures, according to reports citing Syrian state media.This administrative action formalizes earlier pronouncements by Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who two weeks prior declared the recognition of Kurdish as a national language alongside a ceasefire agreement with Kurdish factions. The government has also committed to safeguarding Kurdish culture and language, mandating its instruction in both public and private educational institutions in Kurdish-majority regions. Furthermore, March 21 has been designated as a national holiday celebrating the Newroz festival.The territorial consolidation achieved by Damascus effectively signals the end of the de facto autonomous zones established during the nearly 14-year civil war, marking a major step toward national reunification under central authority. This development has drawn unexpected international commentary, including praise from U.S. President Donald Trump, despite the previous American military support for the SDF.However, the rapid military shift has generated humanitarian concerns. Reports indicate that Kurdish civilians in contested northern areas are facing shortages of food and displacement amid ongoing standoffs between Syrian Army units and remaining SDF elements. The immediate focus remains on administrative integration while humanitarian corridors may be necessary.Geopolitically, President al-Sharaa traveled to Moscow this week for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Syria's future stabilization and the continued presence of Russian military assets. Since al-Sharaa’s forces overthrew the previous regime in December 2024, Moscow has worked to secure its strategic foothold in the Middle East through its relationship with the new government.The directives now task relevant authorities with drafting immediate instructions and guidelines to ensure the decree’s swift operationalization across the newly secured territories. This integration effort represents a critical test of the new administration's capacity to manage complex ethnic and political reconciliation on a national scale. (Source: Al Jazeera, citing Anadolu Agency reports)