Commander Dilbîrîn Kobanê: YPJ are the army of all women

On the anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), ANHA agency conducted a special interview with a member of the General Command of the units, Dilbîrîn Kobanê. In it, she discussed the path of struggle and the challenges the units have faced since their establishment, as well as the central role women play in defense and society. She also highlighted the achievements made thanks to the sacrifices of the female fighters and stressed the importance of continuing efforts to consolidate the principles of freedom and equality.

Below is the full text of the interview:

• What is the significance of the founding of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) on April 4?

First and foremost, I extend my warmest congratulations to Leader Abdullah Ocalan, and I congratulate all humanity on the occasion of his birthday and the anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ). April 4 is a day of resurrection for us and an important historical date. What is the significance of founding the Women’s Protection Units on this day? And what did it bring with it? This is an extremely important point.

Of course, the Women’s Protection Units were based on the legacy of women who struggled, persevered, and made great sacrifices for years, taking this struggle and legacy as a model to follow. This fact cannot be denied. Continuing the struggle and establishing a women’s army was not an easy matter. The Women’s Protection Units have made great sacrifices and are preparing themselves as an example. For willpower and identity to grow in any society, sacrifices must be made. We have seen hundreds of such examples in the struggle of women.

Units women, women who reject injustice, and women connected to their land, homeland, and society have made this commitment. We will pay whatever price is necessary to achieve this goal.

Authoritarian systems work professionally and deeply to entrench division within society, in addition to the policies implemented against women. Only those with awareness and those engaged in struggle understand this. Moreover, this is not something everyone can grasp. The Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) play a pioneering role in enabling women to recognize themselves.

In a geographical region like the Middle East today, no living being can survive without protection. This is a central point, especially for women. If women possess the necessary knowledge to protect themselves, they are capable of doing so by all means. This reality has been clearly demonstrated in the struggle led by Kurdish women.

• What impact did the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) have on the world upon their emergence?

As I said at the beginning: the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) were built upon the historical legacy of Kurdish women. Kurdish women have always been pioneers in their field through their heroism, sacrifices, and struggle since ancient times.

Hundreds of women have fought for freedom alongside their comrades, and we continue our struggle along their path. We have expanded their struggle because we promised them that we would follow their approach and lead it to victory. This has brought about change in our society.

Our first war against ISIS turned into a revolutionary people’s war. This was an innovation in our society. In the past, women were not able to meet their basic needs on their own. Today, however, the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) have had such a profound impact that many members of our people have taken their daughters by the hand, equipped them with weapons and armor, and joined the YPJ.

The Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) have struggled moment by moment, under the most difficult conditions, up to this day. Those states that usually rely on their technology and armies tremble with fear when they hear the name of ISIS. Yet the Women’s Protection Units fought them at the heart of their strongholds as a protective shield. This was neither easy nor ordinary, but it led the entire society. Through this struggle, it became a global example to follow.

The Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) have had a profound impact on Arab, Assyrian, Armenian, and other societies, becoming a model in struggle. For this reason, many fighters even those who were illiterate joined their ranks. This struggle continues to this day.

For our people to live freely and with will on their land, we in the Women’s Protection Units are fully prepared to sacrifice our lives for this. We will never retreat. We have the determination to fight against everyone.

Of course, in such a struggle, diverse methods and approaches must be used. We do not rely on a single method. The Women’s Protection Units are not merely a fighting force; they are also an organized force, a force with thought and philosophy. Undoubtedly, this has been achieved thanks to the efforts of Leader Abdullah Ocalan, and this cannot be denied.

The Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) continue their struggle with diversity and richness. Recently, the methods used against them have not been correct. We will achieve victory through our own efforts, we are a hardworking people.

We have paid a heavy price, and many of our leaders have sacrificed themselves for women’s freedom. We are the comrades of these women and we will protect them. Whatever happens, and whatever the circumstances, we in the Women’s Protection Units will not abandon our struggle.

Legitimate self-defense is always our top priority. If any living being is left without protection today, its life is in danger. To survive, one must master the arts of defense, especially under the current global situation, where attacks and conflicts are taking place everywhere. Is it reasonable for us to remain unarmed under such conditions?

The Women’s Protection Units possess extensive experience. It is impossible to abandon a struggle that has lasted all these years or to weaken it. We are fully prepared to do anything to make our struggle stronger and more effective.

We understand this well. We are not emotionally driven individuals to that extent. We know what we are doing. We know what we are fighting for. Our organizational awareness is advanced.

If we leave our society unprotected today, to whom will we hand it over?

We have witnessed many events, and many massacres have been committed against our people. Now, some groups opposing the existence of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) are seeking to eliminate them.

The Women’s Protection Units have not committed any crime against anyone. Rather, we have defended the existence and rights of our people. Who can say that the Women’s Protection Units have wronged anyone? No one can say that. Because we defended our homeland, we did not occupy anyone else’s land.

Of course, this fascist and authoritarian mentality seeks to claim our people as its own, and it sees no alternative to that. For this reason, all kinds of attacks are carried out against us.

Today, there is often an internal war, and we are aware of this. As the Women’s Protection Units, we do not need to prove ourselves to anyone, we have a rich history.

We have struggled for years. We have experience and effort. We have rights, and we want our legal rights and our right to self-defense. We want our intellectual rights. This is a right for all human beings. This is not a crime.

Why is this considered excessive when it comes to women? We are ready to engage in an even more difficult struggle. No conflict, whether individual or armed will affect us. Our 13–14 years of armed experience have also been fruitful.

• What is your message to all women?

In conclusion, I can say this: whatever the form of our struggle, we will strengthen it at all times and under all circumstances.

We call on all women to take care of their women’s army. When we say today, “The army of the Women’s Protection Units is the army of all women,” this is not merely a slogan, because all nations are represented within the Women’s Protection Units, and every nation struggles for its homeland.

Accordingly, I once again congratulate all working women and all women striving to obtain their rights on the occasion of April 4.

ANHA