NURSHAN ABDİ

Kobanê – In a move that has revived memories of the exclusionary policies practiced by the former Ba'ath regime, the Syrian Interim Government has imposed the name "Ayn al-Arab" on the city of Kobanê in official transactions and government platforms. The decision has sparked widespread controversy among Kurdish political circles and the broader Kurdish public.

The name Kobanê holds profound significance in Rojava, particularly for the city's residents, who are renowned for their resistance and struggle. It was the people of Kobanê who helped rid the world of one of the most dangerous terrorist organizations, ISIS, giving the city a distinguished place in the world's collective memory.

Our agency documented field observations and interviewed political activists, journalists, young people, and women in Kobanê, Rojava, to gather their views on the Syrian Interim Government's decision to rename the city from Kobanê to Ayn al-Arab.

The "Kobanê Identity" Campaign

"Kobanê Identity" is an independent youth-led social campaign launched on July 6 by a group of activists, politicians, and journalists. The campaign emphasizes that the name Kobanê is not merely a geographical designation but a historical, cultural, and human identity representing the people who live in the city.

Its primary objective is to preserve the city's unique identity and ensure that the internationally recognized name Kobanê is used in all official documents and records.

Through this initiative, young people organize a variety of activities and events aimed at preserving the uniqueness and symbolic value of the name Kobanê within Syrian society. The campaign also seeks to raise public awareness about the importance of protecting the city's identity.

Speaking to our agency about the campaign and its significance at this stage, Rabia Eito, a correspondent for JIN TV and the official spokesperson for the "Kobanê Identity" campaign, said:

"The main goal of the campaign is to reject the use of the name Ayn al-Arab by the Interim Government. Since the day we were born until today, we have known our city only as Kobanê, and it will remain Kobanê forever."

She added:

"We launched the campaign on July 6. We should have initiated such a campaign from the very beginning of the integration process in order to preserve the unique identity of the Kurdish region. That is why this campaign was necessary."

She continued:

"The campaign has received tremendous support from people in Kobanê, throughout Rojava, and even in Europe, which will positively influence its success. The name Kobanê carries special symbolism for the Kurdish people and embodies their history and cultural heritage. We do not consider it merely the name of a geographical location. Therefore, the campaign seeks to unite youth and community efforts around the issue of preserving Kobanê's unique identity. It will serve the interests of the city and protect the collective memory of its society."

She pointed out that Kobanê has a long history of sacrifice and has endured countless attacks over the years, including the assault by ISIS, which posed one of the greatest threats to humanity. Even today, the city continues to face attacks.

"No one can deny that its name is Kobanê, because that is how the world came to know it."

Concluding her remarks, Rabia Eito stated that the "Kobanê Identity" campaign would have significant political, legal, and diplomatic impact.

"This is not merely a symbolic campaign. It is organized through an administrative committee, a diplomatic committee, and an events committee. These committees organize various activities, distribute brochures, and paint the name Kobanê on the city's walls. They will do everything within their capacity to preserve the city's name."

She further stressed:

"Any integration process must be democratic. Through this campaign, we reject the Arabization policies practiced by the former Syrian regime against the Kurdish people. We demand recognition of the unique identity of our Kurdish regions and the preservation of their Kurdish place names."

"My City Was, Is, and Will Always Be Kobanê"

Kobanê, whose land has been watered with the blood of its sons and daughters, occupies a unique and symbolic place in the hearts of all the peoples of Rojava, especially among the city's women. For this reason, women in Kobanê voiced their opposition to the city's renaming.

In this context, Wahida Sayid Ahmad, a resident of Kobanê in Rojava, rejected the decision to rename her city Ayn al-Arab.

"Since the day we were born—and even in the time of our grandmothers and grandfathers—our city has been known as Kobanê. Today I am 70 years old, and it is still Kobanê, not Ayn al-Arab. Why Ayn al-Arab? The city has a Kurdish majority, yet the authorities imposed Arabization policies and renamed it Ayn al-Arab."

She emphasized:

"Our resistance and struggle will continue until our very last breath. Just as our resistance made the name Kobanê known throughout the world, our struggle will also preserve that name. But this requires us, as women and as the people of Kobanê, to express our position clearly against changing the city's name."

"The Martyrs of Kobanê Protected and Preserved Its Name"

As part of a youth artistic initiative, young people in Kobanê have been decorating the city's walls with colorful murals and paintings to reinforce its name. This creative effort serves as a response to the Interim Government's attempts to impose the name "Ayn al-Arab" on the city—a policy previously enforced by the Ba'ath authorities as well.

Speaking about artists' participation in the "Kobanê Identity" campaign, young artist Rohlat Darwish said:

"Five of my friends and I began painting murals across the city as part of the Kobanê Identity campaign and in rejection of renaming the city Ayn al-Arab. Our activities include painting the name Kobanê in the red, green, and yellow colors of the Rojava flag, as well as creating various artworks representing the Kurdish people and Kurdistan in general. Another goal of these activities is to beautify our city's streets and walls so that they reflect a positive image to the world."

She added:

"The former Syrian regime pursued illegal policies against Kurdish regions and the Kurdish people by changing the names of Kurdish cities and towns, and Kobanê was among them. Today, the Interim Government is following the same policy. Therefore, we will continue to defend and preserve the name Kobanê until our last drop of blood."