ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A minister from the Syrian government dubbed a census held in Rojava, in northern Syria, an “illegitimate” attempt to affect the country’s demographics.

“The census which was held in the north and east of Syria is illegitimate and it is a plot to change Syria’s demography,” Ali Haidar, minister of state for national reconciliation, told Rudaw.

“What should I talk about?” Haidar answered when asked by Rudaw to comment on the census. “On projects, plans and works a party is proceeding without consultation with the Syrian governments’ institutions. These kinds of moves have no legitimacy.”

Haidar, indirectly pointing his finger at the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), the dominant party in Rojava, said “Some parties by the use of force have imposed themselves on some areas.”

He accused the Kurdish parties of “trying to change the region’s demography in order to achieve their political goals.”

The census was held on Monday in Rojava, the Kurdish self-autonomous region of northern Syria.

“The purpose of the census is to reveal the precise number of the western Kurdistan [Rojava] populations,” said Jihad Omer, a member of the Syrian Democratic Leadership Council, in the lead up to the census.





“The number of civilians fleeing to Rojava from other parts of Syria is on the increase. It is very crucial to hold a census to have accurate data about our areas’ populations, so that we can make plans for the future of our society.”





The census, titled “I am here,” was held in two parts based on geographic location. It covered the three cantons of Rojava, Cizire, Kobane, and Efrin, as well as liberated areas of northern Syria.



The census was done in order to “strengthen social and political developments on the ground,” reads a statement issued by the Northern Syria Democratic Federalism Organizing Council informing people of the undertaking. It was also in preparation for elections in Rojava as the region moves towards democratic federalism.

“As of now,” Haidar said, “no discussion about any moves towards census and or any other project must be done as the country has been in turmoil for years now. First, the fire of this war has to be put out and peace restored to our country.”

Holding the census at this time is not acceptable as “Syria is in a fierce battle with terrorists in every corner of its territory and thousands of families have been displaced due to this war," Haidar said.

“Since the majority of the Syrian people are not registered in the census process, the result will not give accurate figures about the populations,” he said.

“It is the Syrian state’s duty to carry out such projects," he added.

“The northern and eastern areas of Syria were safe and secure, we hope this situation continues,” he concluded. “The Kurdish case is a national matter and it has to be resolved through the constitution and government institutions. But unilateral moves will make the situation more complicated, which will result in objectionable outputs.”

“Such games will worsen the region’s security.”

Damascus has also been accused of trying to change the country’s demographics. On Sunday, the Syrian Coalition of opposition groups issued a statement jointly with the Free Syrian Army accusing the Syrian government of “sectarian cleansing” through “starve and surrender” tactics and forced relocation from besieged areas.