Since the beginning of 2011, the political situation in Syria has consistently found itself at the top of news broadcasts, newspaper headlines and the agendas of politicians. Little-known, however, has been the struggle of the Kurds in Syria to have their voice heard on the political stage and to have equitable access to both economic and political resources. Here, Harriet Allsopp examines contemporary Kurdish politics in Syria, concentrating on the Syrian-Kurdish political parties which operate illegally in the country.