Hasakah- The Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) held a military ceremony in the city of Hasakah on Friday to mark its 12th anniversary and the birthday of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan.

The ceremony held at the Serdem Hall in the city of Hasakah, northeastern Syria, was attended by YPJ commanders and fighters as well as representatives of women's organizations in the city. The hall was decorated with the photographs of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and the women who lost their lives while fighting for freedom and the flags of the YPJ.

‘The YPJ has become the identity of all women’

Following the military ceremony and a minute's silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the struggle for freedom, YPJ commander Newroz Ehmed made a speech. “We have been building our defense forces thanks to the thoughts and ideology of leader Apo,” she said. “The YPJ has become an army, a women’s force. The YPJ fought and defeated ISIS. The recent resistance of the YPJ on the Tishreen Dam and the Qereqozax Bridge shows the world that no one can break the will of free women. The YPJ fighters fight against the invaders with all their strength and will. The YPJ has become the identity of all women. We will ensure the physical freedom of leader Apo with our power and struggle and support the historic ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’ made by leader Apo.”

The YPJ received many messages from different countries, celebrating the 12th anniversary of the YPJ.

After a folk dance performance, the celebration ended.