In a video message published on Friday, Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced he has signed a special decree aimed at guaranteeing Kurdish rights and cultural protections. The overture comes as fighting continues between Syrian state forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria.

Addressing the Kurdish population directly, Sharaa stated, “I have the honor today to issue a special decree for our noble people that guarantees their rights and some of their [cultural] particularities by the text of the law.” He framed the move as a step toward national unity, adding, “Our life is your life, and we want nothing but the welfare of the country and its people.”

The message included a call for the return of displaced Kurds, urging “everyone who was forcibly displaced from his land to return safely and securely without condition or restriction except laying down arms.” Sharaa also appealed for Kurdish involvement in Syria’s future, emphasizing “active participation in building this nation and preserving its safety and unity.”

However, no copy of the decree has been made public, leaving its specific provisions unclear. Sharaa cautioned against skepticism, warning Kurds to “beware of believing the narrative that we want harm for our noble people.”

The announcement occurs against a backdrop of persistent tension and intermittent clashes between Damascus-aligned forces and the SDF, which controls large parts of northern and eastern Syria. The Kurdish-led administration in these regions has long sought formal recognition of its autonomous status and cultural rights, a point of contention with the central government.