Thousands in Kobani protest sign naming city Ayn al-Arab

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Thousands of residents took to the streets of Kobani in northern Syria on Thursday to protest a sign installed by the Syrian government at the entrance to the city identifying it as "Ayn al-Arab." Demonstrators demanded that the historic name "Kobani" be recognized, marching from the Ashti junction to the Free Women Square in the city center while carrying banners reading "No to Ayn al-Arab, yes to Kobani" and "Kobani is identity, it is the red line." Ibrahim Muslim, the city's local administration director, said the decision to change the sign falls under the Ministry of Local Administration, adding that the authorities would forward the public's demands to the ministry. Activist Hewker Shaykhi said Kurdish place names have been altered since the Ottoman period and called on the new government to restore the historical names. Faisal Yusuf, spokesman for the Kurdistan National Congress, said returning cities to their original names would be an important step toward transitional justice and national reconciliation. The Syrian government has not commented on which name it will use in official documents, and organizers said protests would continue until the demands are met.