CNN report reveals pioneer role for Kurdish fighter women in Kurdistan

NEWS DESK

CNN correspondent Sonja Hamad and photographer Sarah Lazarus prepared a detailed report on women fighting in Kurdistan and their pivotal role in changing society as well as liberating the land from IS grip.

After the Syrian war began in 2011, Sonja Hamad, who lives in Berlin, saw many pictures of Kurdish fighters (YPJ).

Between March 2015 and December 2016, Sonja carried out three trips to Başûr Kurdistan and Rojava to meet the fighters.

Sonja says that all women believe in the slogan " Jin, jiyane, Azadi"- "Women, Life, Freedom".

The report speaks of several women fighters, including Dijla who joined YPJ, and fought fierce battles against IS mercenaries, those who launched repeated attacks on areas of North Syria since 2013.

When Sonja met her, Dijla had fought since 3 years, spent half of that time on the frontline. Despite being injured, they continue to fight.

Sonja Hamad says she had a "deep and honest relationship" with the fighters. "We had treated each other like sisters."

In the mountains of northern Iraq, Sonja Hamad met with YJA-STAR members, who led the military participation of Kurdish women.

Sonja talks about meeting Zilan, who said she received only six months of theoretical education and a month of practical training before she started working as an emergency doctor and took care of fighters with fatal injuries.

Sonja told Dijla that she was fighting for women's rights. According to Sonja, many fighters are fighting the masculine system - as well as enemies.

According to Sonja, they are fighting for equality, freedom and struggle against the traditional masculine mentality. For many, joining this military force was their freedom

"These young women are much more mature than their peers in Europe, because they have a lot of experience already," says Sonja.

Qandil Mountains

Sonja Hamad says women's emancipation is deeply rooted in the ideology of PKK. "A Free Woman means a Free Society," says Ocalan. "Even from his solitary cell in the Turkish prison, he sends mental ammunition to women for liberation."

Shereen, 21 years old, al-Hasaka, North Syria.

Citing from CNN ""They are a force of volunteers, whose salaries are not paid and depend on the local and military population for their food and supplies," says Sonja Hamad. "The local Kurdish community is very supportive."

Shereen who is at 21 years, told Sonja that although she was severely injured, she wanted to stay in military power

Kobani

In January 2015, the fighters of People and Women YPG, YPJ liberated Kobani city, Sonja says" It is Syrian city located in North Syria, it was besieged by IS gangs since September 2014, 40,0000 from its population had left the city when IS entered the city, and city was exposed to much destruction "In September 2015, when Sonja Hamad visited it, people began to return," she added.

"I felt like I was watching a movie set ... I could not believe what I saw," Sonja said.

"In the light of the morning sun, the destroyed city looked like a strange beauty," Sonja says.

Tel-Hamis

About Tel-Hamis Sonja says in her report " In spring 2015, the Kurdish fighters helped to retake Tel-Hamis city in North Sryia from IS clutches, Tel-Hamis was of strategic importance to IS gangs because it links the areas controlled by Syria and neighboring Iraq."

Hamad visited the front line of the battle, near the Iraqi border, where the fighters were stationed while defending the city. They searched homes that were destroyed - their windows were shattered and their walls smashed.

Guerilla

CNN reports that more than 10,000 Kurdish refugees live in Mexmûr, who fled Turkey in 1990s when their villages were burned by Turkish troops.

In 2014, the camp was exposed to IS barbaric attacks, where guerilla fighters were stationed around the hill to secure protection.

"Although men and women belong to different camps overnight, they often practice together and fight side by side, which makes guerilla community in close contact and promotes equality," says Hamad.

Sonja Hamad said Kurdish fighters had "a clear impact on Kurdish society." "When they see women carrying arms and fighting, they learn to respect them."

(T/S)

ANHA