Hasakah - The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria declared a state of emergency on 6 July amidst the ongoing Turkish attacks and threats against the region. The people and institutions in the Tell Tamer town of Hasakah have begun preparations against possible Turkish attacks. The women of the town have learned self-defense and how to use weapons by the members of the HPC-JIN to protect themselves and their region against all kinds of attacks. NuJINHA spoke to Medya Memo, a member of the Women's Social Defense Units (HPC-JIN, Hilala Eliyat and Terfa Fewaz, who have learned self-defense.

“We teach women how to protect themselves”

Stating that the region has been under attacks since 2012, Medya Memo said that they are ready for all kinds of attacks. Recalling the attacks of ISIS in Shengal, she said, “Brutal attacks were carried out in Shengal; people were abducted, tortured and killed. For this reason, self-defense is vital and we need to learn more about it. We teach our people how to protect themselves against attacks. One of the women attending the self-defense training courses is a pregnant woman. She learns how to protect her unborn child. All people must be ready against possible attacks.”

“We are ready to protect our region”

Hilala Eliyat, a woman taking a self-defense training course, told us that they would resist attacks. “We will resist to the end. One of my sons was killed while fighting ISIS. Now, I learn self-defense from his comrades. We are ready to protect our region,” she said.

Terfa Fewaz is another woman taking the self-defense training course. Drawing attention to the importance of self-defense, she said that they have learned how to use weapons in order to protect their cities and country. “Everyone should learn self-defense,” she added.