The Syrian authorities have told Kurdish activists their political parties are banned and should cease all activities, Kurdish politicians said on Wednesday.
The officials from various Kurdish parties described the move as a major setback in relations between the authorities and the Kurdish minority and vowed not to give in to the decision.
Fouad Alyco, politburo member of Yikiti Party, said he and officials from two other parties were summoned on Monday to intelligence service headquarters to meet a senior officer.
"They told us that there was a decision from the leadership banning political and party activity of the Kurdish parties," Alyco told Reuters by telephone.
He said the parties were not given a deadline but were told: "We hope that you would have a (positive) reaction".
There was no immediate comment from the Syrian authorities.