Qamishlo women demand accountability for attacks on images of female martyrs, Kurdish symbols

The office of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Hasakah’s Ghweiran neighborhood was looted and vandalized on Tuesday by a group of assailants. The attackers broke down its doors, desecrated symbols of the Kurdish people, particularly those associated with the women’s revolution, and looted its contents.

The attack came days after the Martyrs’ Families Institution in Tal Tamr was targeted and images of female martyrs were defaced.

In response, women and martyrs’ families in Qamishlo condemned the attacks on images of female martyrs in Hasakah.

Amina Amin, the mother of martyr Rasho, said: “We, the families of martyrs, condemn what happened in Hasakah at the hands of those who seek to sow discord and those who attacked images of female martyrs. Our children did not sacrifice their lives for themselves alone, but for all peoples—Kurds, Arabs and Syriacs. We will not accept such divisive acts.”

She added: “We ask why they burn and attack images of our martyrs. Our children liberated one city after another from ISIS and protected and defended Kurdish and Arab cities without discriminating against any community. They called for equality and peaceful coexistence among us. We are here, and we will remain here. They should be ashamed of themselves.”

For her part, local resident Wadha Wanki said: “We embarked on a project of brotherhood among peoples, but there is a group trying to undermine the unity of our communities. That is why they deliberately engage in vandalism and sow discord. They are doing everything they can to derail the integration process and drive a wedge between Arabs and Kurds. They also attack images of our martyrs, images of leader Abdullah Ocalan, and the braids of our female fighters and women. We strongly condemn these violations, which are contrary to human morality and values.”

She added: “The Quran calls for respect for martyrs and the dead, yet today we are witnessing hostility toward images of our martyrs and women in an attempt to create turmoil among the people, while we are seeking to secure our rights through legal means. These people are not promoting brotherhood; rather, they are seeking to stir up discord and prevent the peoples of the region from living together in peace. Nevertheless, we will continue to follow in the footsteps of our martyrs, whatever they do.”

These Attacks Do Not Serve the Peace Project

Ilham Mohammed, a member of the PYD Relations Office, said the actions taking place in Hasakah reflected an authoritarian and exclusionary mindset.

She pointed to attacks on Kurdish symbols and images of martyrs, the assault on the Martyrs’ Families Council in Tal Tamr, and the subsequent attack on the party’s office in Hasakah, describing these acts as an affront.

Mohammed added that “the mindset of these vandals cannot accept the party’s project, which is based on the unity of peoples and coexistence between Kurds and Arabs.” She described this mindset as “ISIS-like” and said the attacks targeting Kurds, political parties and the values upheld by martyrs deserved strong condemnation.

Mohammed noted that attacks on images of female martyrs and their braids reflected a rejection of peace and security.

“Today, we are talking about democratic integration and peaceful coexistence among Kurds, Arabs, Circassians and Syriacs. Unfortunately, however, the reality is entirely different, as some are seeking to sow discord among the people and their communities,” she said.

Concluding her remarks, Mohammed called for everyone involved in these acts to be held accountable and punished. She stressed that such actions were unacceptable and that the government and all relevant authorities bore responsibility for addressing them, adding that those responsible must pay for their actions.

She also noted that the party’s office had served the public and promoted a project bringing the region’s communities together before it was attacked. Targeting the office, she said, amounted to an assault on the peace and integration project and the gains achieved by the people.

a.k

ANHA