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Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Overview of the Kurdish Region According to the Map
2025-12-11

Text:

Overview of the Kurdish Region According to the Map

The map highlights the areas with a Kurdish majority in northern Syria in pink. These areas form a continuous stretch along the northern belt of the country, from Afrin in the west to Qamishlo and Dêrik in the east. The Kurdish region can be divided into three main provinces or geographic clusters:

1. Afrin (West)

Including the Shahba region, the countryside of Azaz and al-Bab, and Qabasin.

A green, mountainous region rich in olive trees.

For decades, it served as an important center of Kurdish presence in the northern countryside of Aleppo.

2. Kobani (Central Region)

Including Girê Spî (Tal Abyad) and the entire countryside between Jarablus and Manbij.

Extends from the Euphrates River eastward to the outskirts of Raqqa in the north.

3. The Jazira Region (East)

Including Hasakah – Qamishlo – Dêrik – Amuda – Darbasiya – Serê Kaniyê – Tirbespî – Girke Legê.

The largest and most significant Kurdish concentration in Syria.

Characterized by a dense Kurdish population stretching along the international borders with Turkey and Iraq.

Do the Kurds Make Up One-Third of Syria?

The map presents demographic distribution and highlights areas with a Kurdish majority.

According to common demographic estimates, Kurds make up 20% to 25% of Syria’s total population. Their presence in their historical regions reaches around 99%, while their presence in Damascus, Raqqa, Aleppo, the Syrian coast, and the central regions is estimated at around 25%.
Are the Kurdish Regions the Richest?

Maps and available data indicate that the Kurdish regions are among the richest parts of Syria in terms of natural resources. Key strengths include:

1. Oil and Gas

Most of Syria’s major oil and gas fields are located in Hasakah province, particularly in:

Rmeilan
Sweidiyah

Al-Jabsa
These locations fall within the Kurdish region or within the administrative control of the Kurdish-led authorities.

2. Agriculture
The Jazira region is widely known as the breadbasket of Syria, while areas west of the Euphrates up to Afrin are central to the production of olives and legumes. Major agricultural products include:

Wheat
Barley
Cotton
Livestock
Various legumes

3. Water Resources

The region contains the sources of the Euphrates and Khabur Rivers, parts of the Tigris River, and several vital tributaries that support irrigation—giving the land exceptional fertility.

4. Strategic Location

The region borders both Iraq and Turkey, granting it significant geographic, political, and commercial importance.

5. Population Diversity

Kurdistan Syria is also home to Arab and Christian minorities (Syriac, Chaldean, Circassian, Turkmen), who make up about 8% of the population.

Conclusion

The Kurdish region stretches across the entire border with Turkey and large parts of the border with Iraq, forming a continuous geographic zone that includes Afrin, Kobani, and the Jazira.
It is considered one of the richest regions in Syria in terms of natural, agricultural, and energy resources—giving it a pivotal role in the country’s political and economic landscape for decades.

Ibrahim Kaban

Posted by:badanov

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