The research for this book concentrated on the Syrian Kurdish population and the territory in which Kurds claimed a majority in northern Syria, and which were also controlled by the PYD at the time of writing. The Kurds in Syria have stepped up decisively onto the local, regional and international arenas and the Kurdish position on the world stage has shifted, irreversibly.
In September 2014, the Kurdish Syrian city of Kobane was subjected to a massive attack by fighters of the movement Islamic State (IS). As a result, the plight of the Kurds of Syria became known around the world. Less well-known, however, is their struggle before these dramatic and violent events. This struggle was mostly aimed at having their voices heard on the political stage and having equitable access to both economic and political resources. This examination of Kurdish politics in Syria therefore concentrates on the Syrian-Kurdish political parties, which despite state sanctions, have attempted to promote their political agendas and to bring about change for the approximately 3 million Kurds that reside in the country. The Kurds of Syria explores the fundamental issues of minority identity and the concept of being 'stateless' in a turbulent region, making it vital for all those researching the politics of the modern Middle East.