Official institutions of the mainly Kurdish controlled areas in northeast Syria celebrated the Christmas holidays with the country’s Christian communities, announcing 25 December as a holiday for public servants.

“The Syrian Democratic Council extends its congratulations and blessings to Christians in the north and east of Syria, the whole country and the world, on occasion of Christmas and New Year,” said the political wing of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in its message.

The council stressed the need for peace in the region and the world and wished this occasion would be the beginning of goodness and peace for Syria and the end of terrorism, occupation and tyranny.

“We hope these solemn occasions will be an opportunity for Syrian Parties to meet and support visions and projects that serve the cause of Syrians and achieve their aspirations in building a new Syria that includes all its components and to be a pluralistic and decentralised state,” it said.

SDF spokesman Farhad Shami also shared his Christmas wishes for peace, health and happiness.

Commander-in-Chief of the SDF Mazloum Abdi posted a Christmas message, wishing tht “this joyful day brings peace, prosperity and fraternity among people and nations in the face of dangers and threats.”

Meanwhile, under the patronage of the Syriac Orthodox Church Local Council, the Al-Raha Foundation for Syriac Music and Heritage in Qamishli city held a spiritual Christmas evening at Mor Gabriel Hall titled “Star of Christmas”, the Syriac Press reported.

The Kurdish administration in north and east Syria announced earlier that it would suspend working hours in its institutions on 25 December, Christmas Day.