Syrian president declares Kurdish a national language

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree declaring Kurdish a national language, marking the first formal recognition of Kurdish national rights since Syria's independence in 1946. The decree recognizes Kurds as an integral part of Syria and allows Kurdish to be taught in public schools where the minority is heavily present. It also makes Kurdish New Year, Nowruz, an official holiday and grants nationality to Kurds who were previously stripped of it. The announcement comes amid stalled progress on integrating the Kurds' autonomous administration into the state and recent clashes between Syrian forces and Kurdish fighters.