Kongra Star: “Women’s rights in Syria link to YPJ recognition

Amid ongoing discussions about Syria’s future, particularly following the January 29 agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Interim Government, debate has intensified over how military forces should be integrated. The Interim Government has rejected granting the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) independent status within the structure of the Syrian army, insisting instead on integrating them only within internal security forces.

This approach has sparked discontent among women in the Jazira Canton, who expressed firm rejection of these proposals, considering them an attack on women’s role and achievements.

In this context, the Joint Platform of Women’s Movements and Organizations in Rojava launched a campaign on April 26 under the slogan: “We are all YPJ, YPJ represents us.” As part of the campaign, several members of Kongra Star in the countryside of Çil Agha spoke to ANHA Agency.

Hiboun Abdul Karim stated that the Women’s Protection Units represent the identity and existence of women in Rojava, adding that they possess a long-standing struggle legacy in protecting women and humanity from oppression and extremism. She added that the achievements women have reached in the region would not have been possible without these units.

She considered the Interim Government’s refusal to recognize the YPJ as an independent force within the army as a sign of its rejection of women’s role in Syria’s future and an attempt to push women backward, stressing that this reflects a denial of women’s free will.

Hiboun concluded by emphasizing that Kongra Star rejects the Interim Government’s policies toward women and will continue the struggle until constitutional and legal recognition of the YPJ as an independent force within the Syrian army is achieved.

For her part, Ghazwa Saif al-Din, an administrator of Kongra Star in the town of Keshk (Çil Agha), said that the Women’s Protection Units have proven their ability to protect women through their participation in battles against ISIS mercenaries and other extremist forces, affirming that they have come to represent women’s will and identity.

She added that the units will play a fundamental role in Syria’s future and that no party has the right to dissolve or eliminate them, stressing women’s rejection of any decisions targeting their existence and calling on the Interim Government to recognize this reality.

She also explained that the establishment of the Women’s Protection Units aimed to protect women and preserve their dignity in the face of mindsets seeking to marginalize their role, considering that the Interim Government’s stance is no different from previous ruling mentalities in Syria.

In turn, Atiya Haji, another Kongra Star administrator in the city, affirmed that parties refusing to recognize the Women’s Protection Units also deny women’s will, noting that women will continue their struggle as they have previously against exclusionary policies and terrorism.

She concluded by stressing continued support for the struggle of the Women’s Protection Units until achieving constitutional and legal recognition as an independent women’s force within the structure of the army in a future Syria.

ANHA