In memory of Barin Kobani: Calls to hold women’s killers accountable

On February 1, 2018, one of the most horrific crimes against women was committed by mercenaries of the Turkish occupation in Afrin, targeting a fighter from the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), Barin Kobani. Today, on the seventh anniversary of her martyrdom, we remind the world once again of what happened to Barin Kobani. We also emphasize that justice has not been served, as the perpetrators roam freely in Damascus without accountability, raising fears among women that such crimes may be repeated.

What Happened?

A video clip, lasting no more than 70 seconds, circulated on social media showing Turkish occupation mercenaries brutally mutilating the body of fighter Barin Kobani during Turkey’s invasion of Afrin in 2018. This crime sparked widespread condemnation and outrage.

Barin Kobani (Amina Omar) was from the village of Qa’ar Kalbin in Aleppo, born in 1988. She joined the Women’s Protection Units in 2014 and participated in the Resistance of the Age in 2018 until she was martyred in Bulbula, Afrin, seven years ago.

This crime was later repeated in different forms by the same perpetrators (Turkish occupation mercenaries). The Secretary-General of the Future Syria Party, Hevrin Khalaf, was assassinated on October 12, 2019, along with her driver, Farhad Ramadan, on the M4 highway. Their bodies were also mutilated by Turkish-backed mercenaries under the leadership of Ahrar al-Sharqiya commander Hatim Abu Shaqra during Turkey’s invasion of Serê Kaniyê and Girê Spî/Tal Abyad.

Turkish occupation mercenaries have engaged in widespread abductions, torture, property seizures, and have prevented displaced Syrians from returning to their homes. They established a network of secret prisons outside Aleppo, where they have executed hundreds since 2018. These prisons have been used for large-scale kidnappings for ransom, targeting prominent business figures and opposition members from Idlib and Aleppo. Additionally, Ahrar al-Sharqiya mercenaries, affiliated with the Turkish army, have integrated former ISIS fighters into their ranks.

Seeking Justice

Now, seven years after Barin’s martyrdom, women’s demands for urgent action continue to rise. They call for the arrest of all those involved in the killing, abduction, and abuse of women and for their prosecution in front of the world’s eyes, to prevent similar crimes from occurring in the future.

Anger and outrage grew further after the appearance of Hatim Abu Shaqra (Ahmad Ihsan Fayadh al-Hayes), leader of Ahrar al-Sharqiya and the perpetrator of Hevrin Khalaf’s assassination on October 12, 2019, along with Abu Amsha (Mohammad al-Jassim), leader of the Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade (also known as al-Amshat), responsible for crimes against Afrin’s residents and women. Their participation in a conference held in Damascus on January 29 triggered strong reactions, with women’s groups demanding the removal of these criminals from Syria and their prosecution for their crimes.

A-H

ANHA