HESNA MIHEMED

Kobanê- For 13 years, the Turkish state has attacked North and East Syria to eliminate the gains of the revolution led by women. The Women's Defense Units (YPJ), the People's Defense Units (YPG) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have fought against these attacks with the support of the people to defend their region.

 Since December 8, 2024, the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions have intensified their attacks on North and East Syria, especially the Tishreen Dam and the Qereqozax Bridge, while the freedom fighters have been waging a resistance against the attacks to defend the dam and protect the people of the region. Since January 8, 2025, the people of North and East Syria have been holding an alternate-civilian vigil on the dam to protect their dam and region.

‘We send our greetings to leader Apo’

“We send our greetings to leader Apo (Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan), who resists despite the isolation imposed on him. The thoughts and philosophy of leader Apo shows the way for a peaceful and safe life,” said YPJ fighter Arîn Ahmed. “The occupying Turkish state keeps attacking our region. Despite its attacks and threats, the people of the region keep resisting, refusing to surrender. The aim of the attacks is to damage the system based on democracy and equality in our region. The people of North and East Syria have shown the whole world that they have frustrated all the plans and attacks of the Turkish state by resisting. The Turkish state can never destroy our leader’s thoughts and philosophy on freedom and equality in society. We grew up with this philosophy and resist the attacks thanks to this philosophy.”

‘We draw strength from our people’s resistance and determination’

We draw strength from our people’s resistance and determination, Arîn Ahmed told NuJINHA. “Although there are martyrs and injuries every day, the resistance and determination of the people on the Tishreen Dam are the best response to the occupation attacks. Our resistance on the dam is a message to the whole world saying that no one can occupy our region. As fighters, we draw strength from our people’s resistance, determination, support and solidarity. As female fighters, our responsibility is to protect our people; we will protect not only Kurdish women but also all women in the world. We will protect and defend the gains we achieved in the Rojava Revolution.”

‘The YPJ will resist all occupation attacks’

YPJ fighter Viyan Kobanê mentioned the resistance of the people and fighters against the Turkish attacks on North and East Syria and said:

“We have been going through a very important and serious process. The resistance and will of the people are greater than the plans and attacks of the Turkish state. Erdoğan attacks us by using warplanes while people are determined to resist although they lose their children every day. The fighters of the YPJ and YPG write history by fighting on the front lines. The people and fighters resist the attacks on the dam together. The YPJ will resist all occupation attacks.”

‘The YPJ is a hope for women’

The Women's Defense Units aims to liberate women by breaking down the chains of slavery, Viyan Kobanê emphasized. “The YPJ is a hope for all women, who are deprived of their freedoms by their societies and families. Thanks to the thoughts and philosophy of leader Apo, women participate in all facets of life, including military, in North and East Syria. We must educate and improve ourselves and have a strong will and determination to struggle more effectively.”