<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Damascus<\/strong>: Offering temporary relief to a country ravaged by more than a decade of civil war, the Syrian government has announced a ceasefire with Kurdish forces. Reports say Damascus has reached an understanding with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which operate mainly in northeastern Syria. The move is expected to halt military operations in conflict zones for the time being and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Kurds are one of the largest stateless peoples in the world. An estimated 30\u201340 million Kurds live spread across Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following World War I, the Kurds were promised an independent state, but this never materialized. Instead, new national borders left them as minorities within different states, where their language, culture, and political rights were often suppressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kurds constitute roughly 10 percent of Syria\u2019s population. During decades of Ba\u2019ath Party rule under the Assad family, they faced systematic discrimination:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011, government forces withdrew from several regions. The Kurds used this vacuum to establish self-administered areas in northeastern Syria, collectively known as \u201cRojava.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the emergence of the Islamic State (IS), Kurdish forces\u2014particularly the YPG and later the SDF\u2014became the backbone of the US-led coalition fighting the extremist group. While they played a decisive role in defeating IS, this also significantly enhanced Kurdish military and political influence. Key points of contention between Damascus and the Kurds include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Northeastern Syria\u2019s oil fields and fertile agricultural lands are vital for reviving the country\u2019s war-shattered economy, especially amid sanctions and isolation. Regaining control over these resources is crucial for Damascus. At the same time, these assets form the economic backbone of the Kurdish administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Politically, the continued\u2014though limited\u2014support extended by the United States to Kurdish forces, alongside Russia and Iran\u2019s backing of the Syrian government, has created a complex and fragile balance of power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether this ceasefire will lead to a lasting political settlement remains uncertain. However, analysts believe it could ease humanitarian suffering in devastated regions and open space for renewed dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caught between a government determined to preserve territorial unity and a people seeking redress for decades of marginalization, the Kurdish question remains central to Syria\u2019s future. Whether a durable political compromise can be achieved between these competing visions will ultimately shape the country\u2019s path forward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Damascus: Offering temporary relief to a country ravaged by more than a decade of civil war, the Syrian government has announced a ceasefire with Kurdish forces. Reports say Damascus has reached an understanding with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which operate mainly in northeastern Syria. The move is expected to halt military operations in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7720,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international"],"yoast_head":"\nKurds: One People, Four Countries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Historical Background of the Kurdish Issue in Syria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Civil War and the Rise of Kurdish Power<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This growing power alarmed both the Syrian government and, more critically, Turkey, which views the YPG as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers\u2019 Party (PKK).<\/p>\n\n\n\nCurrent Disputes With the Syrian Government<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Political and Economic Dimensions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Significance of the Ceasefire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n