Stateless Syrian Kurds begin applying for citizenship under recent decree amid lingering hurdles

What happened

Syria Direct reports that starting in early April 2026, stateless Syrian Kurds began submitting citizenship applications under Presidential Decree No. 13, issued in January 2026. This decree nullifies the effects of a 1962 census that deprived an estimated 120,000 Kurds in Hasakah province of citizenship, addressing a legacy of exclusion lasting over six decades.

The decree opens a one-month application window at dedicated centers across five Syrian provinces, including five centers in Hasakah city, and others in Aleppo, Deir e-Zor, Raqqa, and Damascus. Applicants submit identification certificates, proof of residence, and relevant documents to support their citizenship claims. The Interior Ministry’s Director-General of Civil Affairs, Abdullah al-Abdullah, outlined the multi-stage process that includes interviews and data verification before a final naturalization decision.

The historical context involves the 1962 'exceptional census' designed amid demographic engineering policies targeting Syrian Kurds. It classified stateless Kurds into two main groups—Hasakah ajanib (foreigners) and maktoumeen (unregistered)—both of whom faced systemic discrimination, loss of property rights, education, and healthcare access. Many stateless individuals today hold only annually renewable identification certificates signed by local authorities, limiting their civil rights and mobility.

Known from the source

• Presidential Decree No. 13 of January 2026 nullifies effects of the 1962 census that stripped citizenship from many Syrian Kurds in Hasakah.
• An initial one-month application window for citizenship began in early April 2026 at nine centers across five provinces.
• Stateless Kurds categorized as ajanib or maktoumeen have faced denial of rights including property, education, and healthcare for over 60 years.
• Applicants need to present identification certificates, proof of residence, or other supporting documents as part of the citizenship request.
• The process includes submission, interviews, data processing, and a final naturalization decision by the Ministry of Interior.

What remains unclear

At the Qamishli application center, families with varied legal statuses—some fully stateless, others mixed—are submitting documents including identification certificates, school records, and proof of residence. This initial phase will help determine the timeline for processing and naturalization, though the government has not specified an expected duration for final citizenship issuance.

What remains unclear: Current number of applicants received and processed at the designated centers. Expected timeline for decision-making after application submission. Verification of document requirements and acceptance criteria in practice. Any government updates clarifying how mixed-status families are handled.

Evidence note

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Original source: Syria Direct. Open the source.