Syria Ceasefire: Spotlight on the Kurds’ Century-Long Fight for a Homeland

A four-day ceasefire brought a temporary halt to weeks of fighting between Syrian transitional government troops and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria. The renewed conflict underscores the precarious situation of the Kurds, a population of over 30 million people spread across multiple nations, none of whom currently have an independent state.

A Complex History of Conflict

The SDF, allies in the fight against the “Islamic State,” or IS, group, had controlled strategically important areas in Syria during 14 years of civil war. However, recent clashes with Syrian government forces have resulted in the SDF losing control of these areas. This fighting stems from a disagreement over a March 2025 agreement, which called for the integration of Kurdish institutions into the Syrian state and army by the end of 2025 – a plan that was never realized.

The Syrian government accuses the SDF of failing to adhere to this agreement, while Kurdish leadership contends that the Syrian government is disregarding the rights of ethnic and religious minorities as it reorganizes the country. This dispute highlights a long-standing struggle for recognition and autonomy within a region historically defined by shifting borders and political instability.

Did You Know? In 1988, Saddam Hussein attacked the Kurdish city of Halabja with chemical weapons, killing at least 5,000 people, mostly civilians.

The Kurdish People: A Dispersed Population

The Kurdish people are not a homogenous group, with variations in dialects and religious beliefs, including Sunni Islam, Alevi, Yazidi, Shiite, and Christian communities. Historically, they inhabited the area between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. However, after World War I and the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne divided this territory among Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran, dashing hopes for an independent Kurdish state.

Today, Europe hosts the largest Kurdish diaspora, with Germany having the largest population. Within the Middle East, approximately 2.5 million Kurds reside in Syria, constituting around 10% of the country’s population.

Regional Struggles and Oppression

In Syria, Kurds faced systematic oppression, including the loss of citizenship for around 120,000 people in a 1962 census, statelessness, and bans on their language and cultural expression. During the Syrian civil war, the SDF emerged as a key US ally in combating IS, establishing a self-run region in northeast Syria and maintaining ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

In Turkey, where 15 to 18 million Kurds live, the Kurdish language and cultural expression were banned for decades. The PKK began an armed struggle in 1984, initially seeking an independent state, later shifting to demands for Kurdish rights. While the PKK announced its dissolution in May 2025, talks regarding Kurdish rights remain stalled.

Expert Insight: The ongoing conflict in Syria and the broader struggle for Kurdish rights demonstrate the enduring challenges of navigating ethnic and political divisions in a region shaped by colonial legacies and competing national interests. The lack of a unified Kurdish state continues to leave the population vulnerable to external pressures and internal conflicts.

In Iraq, Kurds have experienced both persecution and a degree of autonomy, establishing a semi-autonomous region after the Gulf War, officially recognized by the Iraqi constitution since 2005. In Iran, approximately 8 to 10 million Kurds face repression and have been at the forefront of protests against the regime, including following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini in 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the relationship between the SDF and the PKK?

The SDF maintains close ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK.

How many Kurds live in the world today?

Some 30 to 35 million Kurds live around the world.

What happened to Kurds in Syria after the 1962 census?

Around 120,000 Kurds lost their Syrian citizenship, were declared stateless, and deprived of their property and ownership.

As the ceasefire holds, the future remains uncertain. Continued negotiations, or a resumption of hostilities, could further reshape the political landscape in Syria and impact the long-term prospects for Kurdish autonomy and recognition in the region.