Kobanî Canton, part of the Rojava region in Northern Syria, declared its autonomy from the Syrian Arab Republic on January 27, 2014. This declaration was largely driven by the desire of Kurdish groups, particularly the Democratic Union Party (PYD), to take control of their political fate during the ongoing Syrian Civil War. Following years of marginalization and repression under both the Syrian government and the rising influence of extremist groups, the Kurdish population sought to establish a governance model that not only respected their rights but also incorporated democratic principles and inclusivity for various ethnicities within the region.

The announcement was both a culmination of local efforts toward self-administration and a response to the broader conflict dynamics in Syria. It was made at a time when the central government was increasingly unable to exert authority over various regions, allowing local actors to assert their control. The Kobanî declaration was a part of the ideology of “Democratic Confederalism” promoted by Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). This principle emphasized local governance, grassroots participation, and non-hierarchical organizational structures.

The autonomy declaration faced significant challenges, particularly from the Islamic State (IS) group, which viewed the Kurdish advances as a threat to their territorial ambitions. This would lead to the famous battle for Kobanî, lasting several months and drawing global attention to the plight and resilience of the Kurdish fighters. However, the declaration itself marked a pivotal moment for the Kurdish movement in Syria, representing their aspirations for self-determination and a shift in the regional power dynamics amidst the chaos of war.