How did 1904 Agreement shape today’s Syrian reality?

Today marks the anniversary of the signing of the April 8, 1904 agreement between Britain and France, which sought to define spheres of influence in the Middle East and North Africa prior to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.

The agreement stipulated a division of colonial influence between France and Britain, whereby Britain recognized France’s influence in Morocco, and France acknowledged Britain’s influence in Egypt, along with arrangements concerning other regions such as Sudan and certain affairs of the Ottoman Empire. These arrangements failed to consider the political and cultural rights of local populations, paving the way for later foreign control over Syria and Lebanon and leaving long-term effects on the region, particularly regarding the rights of its diverse communities.

The impact of the agreement on the Kurds in the region

The agreement’s impact extended to the Kurds, as Kurdistan was divided into four parts across several states:

In Syria: French influence divided Kurdish regions and affected Kurdish-language education, while denying official recognition of their identity, which limited their political representation.

In Iraq: The agreement contributed to the division of Kurdish regions among neighboring states, constraining their demands for political and social representation.

In Turkey: The agreement hindered Kurdish demands for recognition of their identity and language, alongside later nationalist unification policies in the Turkish Republic.

In Iran: European influence over Kurdish areas increased, reducing their ability to organize their political and cultural affairs.

The impact of the agreement on Syria and other components after the French mandate

The division of influence entrenched sectarian and administrative fragmentation, affecting all Syrian components: Kurds: continued denial of official recognition of their identity and language, and restrictions on their political participation. Arab Syrians: some rural communities experienced political and administrative marginalization, along with unequal distribution of resources. Syriacs/Assyrians and Christians: faced disparities in political representation; some Christians benefited from direct French support, while smaller groups saw weaker integration. Druze and Alawites: their influence was confined to specific regions, reinforcing internal divisions. 

Continuation of the impact up to the rise of the Ba'ath regime in Syria

After Syria’s independence in 1946 and the rise of the Ba'ath Party to power in 1963, policies of segregation and exclusion based on ethnic and sectarian lines continued. Kurds and other components were deprived of full representation in local and national authorities. Restrictions were imposed on property ownership and population distribution, including the Arab Belt project, which aimed to alter the demographic composition of Kurdish areas and led to the revocation of citizenship from many Kurds, negatively affecting local development. The regime also pursued centralizing policies that reduced the rights of different components in terms of identity and culture.

Today, under the interim government, these historical policies are still tangible: Kurds continue to seek official recognition of their identity and language, as well as fair participation in local governance. However, authorities persist in exclusion, marginalization, and militarization rather than engaging in serious dialogue. Arabs, Syriacs, Christians, and Druze are also striving to ensure balanced representation in administrative institutions and public services.

Steps by components to overcome historical policies

The call for peace and a democratic society launched by leader Abdullah Ocalan on February 27 last year represents a practical model for overcoming these policies. He called for: Building a pluralistic democratic society that protects the rights of all components. Adopting the concept of social justice and equal participation in governance and local administration. Establishing mechanisms for balanced distribution of power and resources as an alternative to historical policies of exclusion and division.

Leader Ocalan explains that a democratic society means: Peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among different components, with recognition of each group’s identity and culture. Decentralized distribution of power and policies, enabling local areas to manage their own affairs. Implementation of social and economic justice to ensure equal opportunities in education, employment, and services. Experts emphasize that understanding the impact of the April 8, 1904 Agreement is essential to grasp ongoing political and social divisions in Syria and the broader region. They stress that achieving justice in political representation and protecting the rights of all components is a fundamental condition for political and social stability, especially amid efforts to rebuild state institutions after prolonged conflict.

A pluralistic democratic society, as proposed by Leader Ocalan, offers a practical roadmap for redistributing rights, power, and resources fairly. This would enable Kurds and other components to actively participate in decision-making and reduce the political and social fragility resulting from more than a century of divisions and exclusionary policies.

A-H

ANHA