Rojava Parties Reject Bid to Rename Kobani, Say Move Threatens Cultural Identity

ANHA

Kobani demonstrations.

Political parties and local councils across several cities in Rojava, northeastern Syria, have condemned attempts by Syria's interim government to replace the historical name of Kobani, warning that any effort to alter Kurdish symbols or the region's cultural identity would fuel division among its diverse communities.

In statements issued by councils and political parties in Hasakah, Darbasiyah, Tel Tamer and Zirgan, the groups stressed that Kobani has become an internationally recognised symbol of freedom, resistance and the defence of human dignity, particularly following the city's historic battle against ISIS.

The statements said that respect for Syria's national and cultural diversity begins with recognising the historical names chosen and preserved by local communities, rejecting any unilateral attempts to change place names or erase the cultural identity of any ethnic or national group.

The groups warned that changing the names of Kurdish towns and villages echoes the policies of the former Ba'ath regime, which they said sought to reshape the region's identity through systematic changes to its place names, noting that targeting Kurdish symbols would deepen social divisions and undermine efforts to build a democratic Syria founded on political pluralism, cultural diversity and equal rights for all communities.

The statements also highlighted the role of the People's Protection Units (YPG) and Women's Protection Units (YPJ) in defending Kobani against ISIS, saying their resistance elevated the city's name to global prominence and transformed it into a lasting symbol of resilience and freedom.

Regarding the city's name, the statements maintained that "Kobani" has been in continuous use since the beginning of the 20th century. They criticised committees responsible for documenting the city's history, accusing them of failing to follow proper historical and scientific standards and instead yielding to political influence that distorted historical facts.

The parties reaffirmed that preserving the name Kobani is essential because it reflects the city's history, identity and the sacrifices of its people. They said any attempt to rename the city or diminish its cultural significance does not represent the wishes of its residents, but instead revives past policies aimed at erasing local identities. Respect for historical place names, they added, is inseparable from respect for the will and cultural rights of local communities, and names rejected by residents should not be imposed through official decisions.

The statements emphasised that Kobani is "not merely a geographical name that can be changed by an administrative decision, but a historical and cultural identity deeply rooted in the collective memory of its people and inseparably linked to their struggle."

They also called for the official recognition of the names commonly used by residents of Kurdish-majority cities, including Kobani, Afrin, Qamishli, Sari Kani and Gre Spi, arguing that doing so would respect their historical heritage and collective identity.

The groups urged all Syrian political parties, civil society organisations, national forces and human rights organisations to oppose any attempts to alter the historical and cultural identity of Syrian cities and to protect the right of local communities to preserve their historical names and cultural heritage.

The statements concluded by affirming that the name Kobani will remain an enduring symbol of the city's history and the sacrifices of its people, stressing that identity cannot be granted or erased by political decisions but is safeguarded by the people themselves through their commitment to their history and culture.

Meanwhile, thousands of people took part in a mass demonstration and sit-in in Kobani, joined by activists, journalists and intellectuals, as part of a campaign calling for the official adoption of the name "Kobani".

In Qamishli, a youth movement organised a protest under the slogan: "Kobani... not just a name, but an identity written in blood." Dozens of young people and local residents participated, carrying banners reading: "Yes to Kobani," "Kobani is our identity, Kobani is the heart of Kurdistan," and "Kobani is the city of freedom and resistance."

The protests followed the Syrian government's installation of a sign at the Qara Qozak Bridge at the entrance to the city bearing the name "Ayn al-Arab", prompting widespread criticism from residents, who continue to demand that "Kobani" be recognised as the city's official name on all government documents and public signage.



PUKMEDIA