Newroz Ahmed: Goal of YPJ is social revolution

ANHA Agency conducted an interview with YPJ commander Newroz Ahmed about violence against women, self-defense, women’s organization, the situation of women in Syria, and the role of the YPJ in protecting women.

• How do you assess the situation of women globally in terms of protection and organization, from the perspective of the Women’s Protection Units?

With scientific progress, this progress was supposed to reach society and women as well. But the opposite happened because knowledge remains in the hands of those in power. Everyone claims before the public that they are trying to stop wars, but that is only in the media. In reality, they ignite wars for their own interests. The system deliberately deepens conflicts between peoples and communities, and this is not natural.

Unfortunately, the situation of women is deteriorating day by day. It is said that women are participating in work, even in national defense forces, but this is not necessarily in the interest of women. Regardless of women’s visible roles, the authorities have not reduced violence against them. We women should not deceive ourselves—violence against women is increasing, whether physical violence through assaults and suicides, or even virtual violence on social media.

At the same time, women’s awareness has developed. Women now understand the necessity of self-protection and self-defense, and they are entering all fields of life. This is positive, but it cannot remain individual. It must be organized, and there must be unity. Women’s progress and organization are still not at the required level, which means stronger struggle is needed.

• After the change of power in Syria on November 27, 2024, how do you evaluate the situation of women under this government?

Women’s struggle has progressed somewhat in our regions, but it is not enough. Last year, the government collapsed and a new one took its place. It was expected to solve the country’s problems, but we witnessed the events in the coast and in Sweida. And it was not limited to these areas—violence exists in all Syrian cities.

Women are subjected to kidnapping, disappearance, rape, and murder. They are also attacked on social media. This destructive mentality exists both inside and outside Syria. We have previously emphasized the importance of self-defense and organization many times. Recent events proved that everyone needs self-defense and organization. If we do not organize ourselves and build a system of self-defense, it will be very difficult to change this mentality that destroys equality in life.

• What role does the Women’s Protection Units play in all this, and what are you doing now?

We have previously worked in this direction, but greater effort is now needed to strengthen organization and struggle. Our struggle in the Women’s Protection Units is not limited to joining the army as an official force or gaining formal recognition. We need a social struggle. Freedom and equality cannot be achieved without women’s participation. Even men’s freedom is connected to women’s freedom.

We have achieved gains in this field, but they are not enough—there is a need for more. The most important goal is to reach all women. We need a joint struggle.

• Leader Abdullah Ocalan described the male-dominant mentality in his latest manifesto as the “Group- driven fatality” In your opinion, how aware are women of this ideological attack?

The “Group- driven fatality” attack has continued for thousands of years. Today, however, there are greater opportunities for knowledge, especially self-knowledge. Society can access such information. But the system launches a fierce counterattack and prevents society and women from seeing this truth. It distorts that truth.

Violence is embedded in daily life—from advertisements, TV programs, written materials, the media, even walking on the street. Women have been conditioned to believe that this is their fate. This must be overcome. Women have now realized that they can defeat this imposed destiny through awareness and knowledge.

Women have overcome this to some extent, but it is still insufficient. Many women in Syria whom we communicate with say they never knew such ideas existed. The system tries its hardest to prevent women from seeing and understanding the truth. But an aware woman can change her family and her environment.

• There is ongoing discussion in Syria about integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). What role will the Women’s Protection Units play in this scenario, and will you organize Syrian women?

The integration issue is still under discussion and has not yet been clarified. But we have always said that women must organize themselves everywhere. We will carry out our responsibilities wherever we are, not only regarding integration.

Whether integration happens or not, women’s self-defense and organization will remain an essential goal. That is the purpose behind founding the Women’s Protection Units. It is necessary to struggle to change the mentality of the “Group- driven fatality” in our regions and across all of Syria, to achieve freedom and equality.

a.k

ANHA