Kurdish Diaspora Mobilisation in Denmark: Supporting the Struggle in Syria

The article investigates how the Kurdish diaspora in Denmark supported the Kurdish struggle in Syria from the battle of Kobane (2014) to the defeat in Afrin (2018). It emphasizes the role of transnational actors in war and introduces the term "alter-territorial identification" to clarify how some Kurds identify with the political entity in a part of Kurdistan other than their place of origin. The article contributes to our understanding of mobilisation and identity formation in the periphery of the Kurdish diaspora by examining the political lobbyism, courtroom activism, and humanitarian action of various Kurdish diaspora groups. It also provides new knowledge on diaspora engagement in war in the homeland by analysing the strategic interaction between the Danish authorities and the Kurdish diaspora community.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 16 August 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The Kurdish diaspora in Denmark played a significant role in supporting the Kurdish struggle in Syria from the battle of Kobane (2014) to the defeat in Afrin (2018). This study investigates how the Kurdish diaspora mobilised in support of Syrian Kurds, highlighting the role of transnational actors in the war. It introduces the concept of "alter-territorial identification" to clarify how some Kurds identify with the political entity in a part of Kurdistan other than their place of origin.

Anne Sofie Sch tt contributes to our understanding of mobilisation and identity formation in the periphery of the Kurdish diaspora by examining the small but well-established community in Denmark. She argues that the Danish authorities treat the diaspora differently compared to neighbouring Sweden and Germany. Sch tt examines the political lobbyism, courtroom activism, and humanitarian action of various Kurdish diaspora groups. She also explores the position of Syrian Kurds within the diaspora, who, like the Kurds in Syria, have been largely ignored until recently.

Furthermore, Sch tt provides valuable insights into diaspora engagement in war in the homeland by analysing the strategic interaction between the Danish authorities and the Kurdish diaspora community. Both groups were engaged in the war against Islamic State, but on different terms. This study sheds light on the complex dynamics and complexities of diaspora mobilisation and identity formation in the context of armed conflicts.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474491716