Comrades of Nour al-Din Sofi: commander measured not by position but by depth of his impact

In an interview, Sipan Hamo, member of the General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces, and Newroz Ahmad, member of the General Command of the Women’s Protection Units, described leader Nour al-Din Sofi as a reference for anyone wishing to learn or develop themselves whether in military affairs, field tactics, academics, or scientific research. He carried a clear and profound vision of the concept of women’s freedom and believed that their struggle is an inseparable part of the general liberation struggle.

Their statements followed the announcement by the People’s Defense Forces of the martyrdom of leader Nour al-Din Sofi on August 11. The statement clarified: "The heroic son of the Kurdish people, the professional revolutionary, walking in the footsteps of the leader Akid, the leader of the freedom revolution in Rojava and the peoples of North and East Syria, comrade Nour al-Din Sofi, who went to the mountains of Kurdistan to visit his former comrades, where he spent 24 years, was martyred in an enemy attack on April 6, 2021, during his visit to our leadership headquarters, the People's Defense Center."

Statement of Sipan Hamo:

I have known comrade Sofi for thirty-five years since we met on the paths of the Kurdish political movement in Syria. We began together a long journey of struggle that stretched over the peaks of Kurdistan’s mountains. The corridors of those years are unforgettable, carrying harsh difficulties and priceless beautiful moments.

In the darkest circumstances, Sofi was an inspiring leader within the People's Defense Forces, steadfastly advancing with unwavering faith. He was an exceptional leader, combining wisdom and courage, possessing rare qualities that secured him a permanent place in our minds and hearts.

Comrade Sofi’s personality cannot be summarized in a word or phrase; he was greater than description. He embodied the essence of revolutionary struggle, as do all the fighters of the great movement who possess unique qualities deep faith in the cause and absolute dedication to victory.

Sofi was not merely a fighter; he was a fully-rounded personality in every sense. All the positive qualities of a revolutionary fighter were united in him: resilience, wisdom, loyalty, and the ability to innovate under the harshest conditions.

He was a reference for anyone who wanted to learn or develop themselves whether in military affairs, field tactics, academics, or scientific research. Those who seek knowledge find it in Sofi; those who seek understanding find answers in him; those who seek inspiration find a role model. He was a revolutionary school in himself unforgettable and irreplaceable.

Comrade Sofi’s comradeship had no limits. It transcended traditional leadership concepts to become a deep emotional relationship, making everyone around him feel that he was not only a leader but a comrade, a brother, and a support. I adore his comradeship and am bound to it inseparably because it was sincere, warm, and full of humanity.

Despite his leadership status, he did not deal with us from a position of authority but from a standpoint of love and shared responsibility. He gathered comrades and the people around him, offered help to all without hesitation, and planted hope in souls with a smooth, beautiful, and tender language.

Anyone who met comrade Sofi felt a strong connection to him. He entered hearts without asking permission and left an indelible mark. Even children were treated with a rare spirit of comradeship that made them feel safe and belonging. He carved a place in the heart of everyone who saw him because, simply put, he carried a big heart and an unforgettable spirit.

Comrade Sofi was a leader who did not know defeat, always striving for victory. He led battles under the harshest conditions and turned challenges into opportunities for triumph. He fought many battles on various fronts and proved his outstanding ability to lead military forces and his skill in devising precise plans leading to decisive victories.

During the Rojava revolution, he played a pivotal and unforgettable role. He was among the first to lay the foundations of this revolution alongside immortal symbols such as martyrs Khbat and Rustam. He was not merely a participant but a history-maker who established a new stage of struggle in Syria.

Since 2013, comrade Sofi became one of the top leaders in Rojava, leaving an indelible mark on all formations of military and protection forces. His presence was not symbolic; he was the cornerstone in building the strategy that led to historic achievements for the Kurdish people and all peoples of the region.

His role was central in shaping victory and consolidating the principles of the revolution and legitimate defense. Sofi’s contribution cannot be condensed into a sentence or word; he taught us the true meaning of humanity, sincere comradeship, and how wars and revolutions are managed with enlightened minds and hearts full of faith in freedom.

We learned from Sofi how to shape a free human and how to build true revolutionary consciousness. He didn’t only train us to carry weapons but to carry ideas and build individuals who defend their values with awareness and responsibility.

For me, what I learned about quantum theory was from sessions with comrade Sofi, who possessed a wise and strong mind, combining scientific depth with revolutionary insight. In politics, he was like a brilliant academic offering strategic visions that illuminated the path for everyone.

Comrade Sofi was well-versed in quantum theory and its contradictions not as a rigid theory but as a philosophy of life. He did not study quantum theory for mere knowledge but delved into its contradictions, analyzed them deeply, derived important conclusions, and put them at the service of the revolution, the people, and the leader.

Amid the Rojava revolution, we started the journey together. At first, Sofi undertook the struggle among the community ranks, and as the revolution developed and the decision for armed struggle was made, we moved together to the command center, facing the toughest and most complex moments. When doors closed and paths blocked, Sofi was the one who opened windows of solutions.

Talking about comrade Sofi is very difficult for me. We spent a long time together, and our revolutionary journey was intertwined, almost merging. He was more than a comrade.

Comrade Sofi was not an ordinary person but an exceptional leader combining thought, art, and military. From the ranks of the military forces to leading strategic campaigns against ISIS, he was always at the forefront, never shirking any mission. He was a poet, artist, and social engineer who read Abdullah Ocalan deeply and applied his guidance in service of the people.

He led battles in Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor and achieved victory thanks to his wisdom and skill. His loss is an incomprehensible blow, but he lives in the hearts of thousands, beating in the heart of every fighter and everyone who knew him. We pledge to continue the path on his footsteps.

I miss him and carry him in my heart forever.

Statement of Newroz Ahmad:

I met comrade Sofi at the beginning of the Rojava revolution when he was a regional leader during the founding phase of the military forces, amid continuous attacks on the people of the region. He came loaded with the thought of leader Abdullah Ocalan, especially militarily, and his presence was a real force. He devoted his experience to his people despite all difficulties.

He approached every task with a high spirit of responsibility, listened to everyone’s opinions, and considered them for the advancement of the revolution. There were no difficulties in that; rather, he boosted everyone’s morale and planted confidence in their souls. Yes, we were engaged in military work, but he was not a distant leader; he visited the fighters and gave them moral strength, especially during the attacks on Serekaniye/Ras al-Ain.

There were attacks on several areas at the beginning of the revolution, especially in al-Jazira region. Despite the difficulties of that stage, Sofi created a beautiful spirit and raised morale among the ranks of fighters and the people, directly influencing everyone.

During those battles, despite the differing forces attacking us, he discussed the course of the battle with everyone, identified the attackers, developed tactics to counter those attacks, and took his place in subsequent campaigns. With the establishment of the Syrian Democratic Forces, he had a great influence on the structure and orientations of the military forces.

He was in constant contact with all components of the region Arabs, Syriacs, and Armenians. He held meetings with the people and fighters, directed them precisely, from their dress and discipline to caring for their daily needs. He was a close, present, and influential leader in every detail of the struggle. He did not favor one person over another but cared for everyone.

Comrade Sofi always created something new in every discussion or meeting he held. He possessed a cheerful spirit and an engaging personality that made everyone eager to attend his discussions and meetings. His presence was never ordinary; it was vibrant and sparked a passion for participation in others.

He conducted in-depth research to develop his style and performance, never settling for the status quo but always striving for better. While reading history, he narrated events as if he had witnessed them, turning his words into vivid images and shared experiences. When unaware of a topic, he asked with spontaneity, embracing discussion and criticism wonderfully.

Sofi was distinguished by remarkable intellectual flexibility, which made him open during the formulation of military tactics. He did not cling to one opinion but responded quickly to situations. That’s why he was nicknamed "Mercury" fast-moving, sharp-minded, and full of energy. He conducted intensive research, tirelessly investigating and always seeking deeper understanding and more precise planning. Alongside that, he was well aware of the situation of civilians liberated from conflict zones, following up on their conditions and ensuring their safety.

His care was not limited to the front lines but extended to the fighters themselves. He gave them special attention and worked on developing the skills of new leaders, believing that victory is only achieved with mature minds and faithful hearts. He sought to prepare local leaders from all components.

Comrade Sofi held a clear and deep vision of women’s freedom and believed their struggle was an integral part of the general liberation struggle. He always said, “Comrades continue their work, and I do not want to be an obstacle for them.” These were not mere words but a steadfast stance reflected in his ongoing support and constructive proposals regarding women’s struggle, especially within the Women’s Protection Units.

He took comradeship principles as a basis for expressing his opinion and conducted in-depth research in this field, seeking broader understanding and stronger support. At the level of joint work, especially within the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Sofi created a comfortable and motivating environment that made teamwork a fruitful experience. He pushed us toward research and development and was keen on full adherence to comradeship principles not as a slogan but as a daily practice reflecting the essence of relationships between comrades.

Sofi was a leader in every sense of the word a popular leader who did not know hardship but faced it with unwavering determination. In the toughest moments, especially during the fierce attacks witnessed in Afrin, Serekaniye/Ras al-Ain, and Khabur, he was present with his mind and research, never absent from the details of suffering, never ignoring the pain of civilians who fell as martyrs in attacks on the region.

He was very sensitive to leadership responsibilities, aware that the answers we provided were not always sufficient for our people. Therefore, he never stopped searching but constantly sought to overcome those setbacks and turn them into victories. He was not content with stagnation but saw every crisis as an opportunity to rise and every pain as a seed of hope.

His martyrdom imposed a great responsibility on us, and we will follow his path, continuing his work, loyal to his spirit and faithful to his way.

ANHA