Syria’s new Islamist FM Asaad al-Shaibani posts in Kurdish on X

DAMASCUS,— In a move viewed by some as a conciliatory gesture toward Syria’s Kurdish community, Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani addressed the nation’s diversity and past injustices against Kurds, delivering a message in Kurdish.

His comments come as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-backed Kurdish-led group, reject disarmament amid ongoing tensions with the Syria’s new Islamist leadership and call for a federal Syrian state rather than a centralized ruling structure.

On Tuesday, Al-Shaibani posted on X, that “Kurds add beauty and diversity to Syrian society.” Writing entirely in Kurdish, he acknowledged historical grievances under the Assad regime, stating, “The Kurdish community in Syria has been subjected to injustice by the Assad regime.” He emphasized the need for an inclusive Syria where equality and justice prevail.

Al-Shaibani’s use of Kurdish was seen by many as groundbreaking, marking the first time in decades that a high-ranking Syrian official publicly communicated in the language. Syrian Kurds and allies reacted positively, with many expressing hope for meaningful change. “Addressing people in Kurdish, even symbolically, means a lot,” commented one Kurdish observer.

Ilham Ahmed, a senior Syrian Kurdish official and co-head of the Foreign Relations Department in the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the North and East Syria(DAANES) Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), welcomed the statement.

She praised Al-Shaibani’s remarks as a “place of honor for the Kurds,” adding, “The Kurds will bring their own color to Syrian society when their rights are guaranteed in the constitution. We will build together a new Syria that is diverse, inclusive, and decentralized.”

However, Al-Shaibani’s gesture comes against a backdrop of lingering disputes. The SDF controls large areas in the Kurdish region in northern and northeastern Syria and has refused to disarm, citing fears of Turkish aggression and the uncertainty surrounding Syria’s future governance and constitution.

The group has indicated willingness to integrate into the Syrian army under certain conditions but remains steadfast in its stance on autonomy.

Critics of the Syrian Islamist government argue that words must be backed by action.

Political analyst Henase Karim told iKurd, “Words hold no value unless backed by practical steps. The new Islamist rulers must acknowledge federalism and guarantee rights for all non-Arab populations, including Kurds, Alawites, Druze, and Sunnis. The world should approach with caution until these Islamists demonstrate otherwise.”

The Syrian Islamist rulers have repeatedly rejected federalism and Kurdish self-rule, raising concerns among minorities and international observers. Many fear that extremist groups like Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, could impose strict Islamic rule in minority areas, further exacerbating tensions.

The Kurdish community in Syria has long faced systemic discrimination. Under the Assad regimes of both Hafez and Bashar al-Assad, Kurdish-language education was banned, and many Kurds were denied Syrian citizenship.

The Kurdish community was largely excluded from positions of power and decision-making, while centralized governance imposed bureaucratic hurdles for Kurds and other Syrians alike.

Demands for decentralization, representation in government, and the removal of “Arab” from the official name of the Syrian Arab Republic have become key points of contention.

The SDF-led Autonomous Administration in Syrian Kurdistan advocates a secular, decentralized model of governance, emphasizing gender equality, direct democracy, and environmental responsibility.

Since its establishment in Ain Issa on September 6, 2018, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has implemented a model of democratic confederalism across municipalities in the region. This self-rule system remains a focal point of the Kurdish community’s aspirations for inclusion and recognition within Syria.

While Al-Shaibani’s outreach has sparked dialogue, the road to reconciliation remains fraught with challenges. The SDF and other Kurdish leaders insist that tangible steps, including constitutional guarantees and power-sharing agreements, are necessary to build trust and achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.

As Syrians reflect on Al-Shaibani’s message, the question remains: will symbolic gestures pave the way for real change, or will historical grievances and entrenched divisions continue to hinder progress?

(With files from Agencies)