ISTANBUL

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Sunday received a delegation from Syria's Kurdish community at the presidential palace in Damascus on the dual occasion of Eid al-Fitr and Nowruz, according to local media.

Newroz is a national holiday representing the distinctive cultural identity of the Kurdish people within Syria’s unified society, Sharaa said, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

The rights of Kurdish citizens are “authentic and inherent,” he affirmed, emphasizing that Syria’s cultural diversity is a "primary source of national strength rather than a point of division."

The meeting came amid tensions in the areas of Ayn al-Arab in northern Aleppo Governorate and Qamishli in northeastern al-Hasakah Governorate, following incidents in which groups lowered the Syrian flag during Nowruz celebrations.

In response to these events, Mohammed Abdul Ghani, the head of internal security in Aleppo Governorate, issued a statement condemning the lowering of the Syrian flag.

“We uphold values and principles, and the symbols of the state, especially the flag, are a red line. On the other hand, we affirm that we will not tolerate any attacks on civilians," he said.

*Writing by Serdar Dincel​​​​​​​