NORŞAN ABDİ

 

Kobanê – Following the revolution in Rojava that started in the Kobanê Canton on July 19, 2012 and spread across North and East Syria, women began to take part in all spheres of life, including political and military fields. On February 13, 2013, women formed their first battalion named “the Martyr Ruken Battalion” in Afrin’s Jindires town.

The Women's Defense Units (Kurdish: Yekineyên Parastina Jin, YPJ) announced its foundation on April 4, 2013 by holding its first congress on April 2, 2013. On the 10th anniversary of the foundation of the YPJ, NuJINHA spoke to the mothers of the YPJ fighters, who lost their lives while fighting for the revolution in Rojava.

‘The YPJ has exhibited a strong spirit of resistance’

YPJ fighter Jîn Kaniya Kurdan lost her life in the Zor Mixar village of Kobanê in 2014 while fighting ISIS. “The YPJ has exhibited a strong spirit of resistance. Its resistance has become a model for women all over the world,”her mother Semîra Ehemed said.

 

She added, “In 2014, YPJ exhibited a historic resistance against ISIS in Kobanê. Thanks to this resistance, women have proved that they are strong enough to protect their lands. We witnessed the great sacrifices of the YPJ fighters. I was also a part of the resistance in Kobanê. I always remember how women were happy, their firm stance when Kobanê was liberated. YPJ is the source of strength and victory for all women in North and East Syria.”

 

‘We will follow in their footsteps’

“We are proud of having a women's army in North and East Syria,” Semîra Ehemed said, “During the revolution, women in Rojava achieved significant successes in the military and political, economic and social fields. The strengthening of the women's army was one of the most important achievements of this revolution. We should further strengthen our self-defense to protect the gains and achievements of the revolution. Thousands of women such as Karen, Revan and Zozan fought to protect us.”

 

She said that her daughter Jîn Kaniya Kurdan joined the YPJ because she was inspired by Viyan Amara. “As mothers, we are proud of our daughters. They sacrificed their lives to protect their homeland and we will follow in their footsteps.”

‘YPJ is the world's largest women's army’

YPJ fighter Delal Amed is one of the women fighters, who lost their lives while fighting ISIS in Deir ez-Zor. Her mother Nejah Mihemed said, “They sacrificed their lives to defend their homeland, to build a free life. Thanks to them, we have a free and safe life today.

Emphasizing that the YPJ is the world’s largest women’s army, she said, “They fought the enemy and they still fight the enemy. The Kurdish women have proved their power to the world. We saw how they fought ISIS. We trust the YPJ. The YPJ has written history by resisting for 10 years.”

 

Recalling that the YPJ fighters were at the frontline of battles against ISIS in Kobanê, Manbij, Raqqa, Tabqa and Baxoz to liberate women, Nejah Mihemed said, “They saved women from slavery. I am proud of my daughter because she lost her life while fighting like other YPJ fighters. The 10-year of the YPJ is full of victories and achievements. The YPJ is our identity, our source of existence, will and strength.”