MAF-DAD member: attacks on Rojava directly targeted women’s freedom

A delegation of legal experts affiliated with (MAF-DAD) arrived in Rojava on February 22, 2026, to document the violations that occurred during the attacks on Rojava and North and East Syria (between January 6 and January 29).

The delegation held meetings with legal institutions, organizations representing displaced persons, and institutions of the Autonomous Administration, in addition to listening to eyewitness testimonies.

In this context, legal expert and delegation member Rengin Ergul explained that during wars, women’s rights are often the most vulnerable to violations. For this reason, the delegation focused on including women members in the documentation process and placed particular emphasis on engaging with women’s institutions.

“The attacks on Rojava targeted women’s freedom”

Rengin Ergul drew attention to footage published by mercenaries during the attacks on the region and said:

“We witnessed a very dirty war waged against women’s rights and against the consciousness of Rojava that was built under the umbrella of women’s struggle. For example, the mercenary who cut a woman’s braid, as well as the torture and killing of women beneath the statue of a female fighter in Raqqa. The war that took place was directed against the women of Rojava who are resisting for their freedom. Therefore, the women of Rojava, Kurdish women, and women around the world must protect their achievements through legal, cultural, and military means.”

“The interim government violates international conventions”

Legal expert Rengin Ergul also assessed the current situation in Syria from the perspective of human rights law, stating:

“According to the principles of human rights, the interim government in Damascus is obligated to abide by the Geneva Convention under these circumstances, which prohibits war crimes. We have seen that the government is violating these treaties, yet it is compelled to implement these laws because international treaties take precedence over the government’s domestic laws. Laws must not be drafted based on radical Islamic orientations.”

The delegation had issued a statement on February 26 regarding the investigations it conducted, announcing that a detailed report on the violations is being prepared to be submitted to the United Nations, human rights institutions, and the Rome Court.

“We will dedicate an independent chapter in our report to documenting violations against women”

Legal expert Rengin Ergul stated that a special section will be prepared in the report addressing violations against women’s rights. She said:

“We have been monitoring the attacks and violations committed since 2018. We have submitted some legal requests regarding the violations that occurred during those attacks, and we will also file lawsuits concerning the recent violations. Currently, the situation is exceptional and there is a risk to the safety of individuals whose rights were violated. Once the situation stabilizes somewhat, we will begin filing legal cases related to these violations.

ANHA