politicians, citizens: traditional names of cities of Kurds represent identity of region

Demonstrations are being held in many areas of Rojava against the efforts of changing the traditional names of the cities of Kurds. The protesters claim that the names like Kobani, Tirbespiyê, Çil Axa, etc. are not only the names of these places but also reflect the historical heritage of this region.

Abdul Ghani Oso, a member of the General Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), told ANHA's agency: "The names of cities and towns should not be subject to any restrictions or laws that prohibit their use." He pointed out that the Kurdish people have lived in this region for thousands of years, and it is only natural that their villages and cities bear their own historical names.

Names connected to the region's history

He added: "The Interim Government should not prohibit the use of these names or attempt to replace them, because they are intrinsically linked to the region's history and identity." He stressed that the sit-ins and protests aim to deliver a clear message to the Interim Government that this issue must be addressed seriously so that it does not further complicate the situation or give rise to new crises.

Oso explained that the protests taking place in the city of Kobani and other areas are intended to defend the identity and history of these regions. He noted that the name Kobani dates back thousands of years and cannot be replaced with another name that does not reflect the true history and identity of the region.

Attempts at demographic change

For his part, Farouk Touzo, Co-Chair of al-Hasakah City Council, stated that changing the names of cities and towns falls within broader attempts at demographic change. He explained that many village and city names in the region had previously been altered during earlier periods in order to serve the policies of the ruling authorities.

Touzo affirmed that the ongoing protests are legitimate and express a clear popular position in defense of the region's historical and cultural identity. He pointed out that the demonstrations currently taking place in Kobani and a number of other cities and towns reflect residents' rejection of any attempt to alter the names of their localities.

He added that responsibility does not rest solely with the protesters, but also with cultural and academic elites, political parties, and all parties concerned with preserving the Kurdish language and its history. He called for conveying this position to the international community, arguing that changing the names of Kurdish cities represents a continuation of the policies previously pursued by the Ba'ath regime in the region.

For her part, citizen Aziza Hami stated that Kurdish names embody the history and heritage of the local people and are closely tied to the places where their ancestors lived for hundreds of years, emphasizing her rejection of any attempt to change them.

She added that the Syrian Interim Government should preserve these names as they are, stressing that there is no justification whatsoever for replacing or changing them.

ANHA