Sozdar Dêrik and Aldar Khalil speak on their comradeship with Nureddin Sofi

Sozdar Dêrik described Sofi as “a comrade, a leader, and an elder brother,” recalling:

“We worked together in wars, campaigns, and training. In moments when we felt powerless or discouraged, he would find solutions through his wisdom and tactical expertise. He always created space for enthusiasm and lifted morale. This was how he was in life as well—steadfast in his belief in victory. Such was the character of our comrade Sofi.”

“Sofi Was a True Friend of Women”

Dêrik emphasized Sofi’s unwavering belief in women’s liberation and their role in the revolution, stating:

“His love and loyalty to the path of freedom inspired those around him. He supported the women’s cause both in word and deed. We can truly say that comrade Sofi was a genuine friend of women.”

She noted that Sofi never discriminated between small and large tasks, explaining:

“He had a personality that embraced everyone—Kurd with Kurds, Arab with Arabs, Syriac with Syriacs, youth with the young—and he knew how to interact with women. For him, no task was too small or too great. If the television broke, for example, he would go to the roof and repair it himself. He never distanced himself from work.”

“His Eyes Shone with Great Knowledge”

According to Dêrik, Sofi combined practical activity with constant intellectual development:

“He possessed profound knowledge in all fields—from physics to natural society, from human anatomy to the natural world, from history to sociology. Alongside his practical skills, his eyes radiated the light of the vast knowledge he carried.”

“We Shared True Comradeship”

Reflecting on his principles, Dêrik said:

“Comrade Sofi followed in the footsteps of martyrs Akid, Mazlum, and Kemal, and their comrades. He took part in building the system of the democratic nation and was a principal architect of the revolution. He held a special place in the hearts of his fighters and society at large. As his comrade, I can say I drew from him the spirit of genuine comradeship. He gave me the conviction that, as a woman, I can achieve anything in life and lead the march to victory.”

Dêrik concluded with a vow: “We will avenge them and raise their flag high. This revolution was built through work and sacrifice, and we will defend it through every form of struggle.”

Aldar Khalil on Nureddin Sofi: A Committed, Wise, and Humble Revolutionary

Aldar Khalil highlighted the formative environment of the late leader Nureddin Sofi, stating that he was raised in a family with strong moral, social, and religious values influenced by the Naqshbandi order. The family was known for its patriotism, active social engagement, and good relations with other communities, including Arabs, Kurds, and Syriacs. Khalil emphasized that Sofi’s upbringing provided a solid foundation, upon which he developed his intellectual and scientific knowledge in line with the philosophy of Abdullah Öcalan and the Kurdish liberation movement.

He added that Sofi upheld principles of honesty, loyalty, and keeping one’s word within his family, while with his comrades he practiced speaking truthfully and directly—principles he embedded throughout his revolutionary life. Khalil reflected:

“Comrade Sofi was ready around the clock to serve his comrades without hesitation. One felt humbled by his modesty. He was as humble as he was competent, strong, and influential. Personal comfort was not in his vocabulary. He possessed all the qualities of a revolutionary. If asked how one defines a revolutionary, I would say it is like Comrade Sofi.”

The Amuda Incident

Khalil recounted an event demonstrating Sofi’s problem-solving abilities:

“In 2013, when Comrade Sofi arrived in Rojava, an incident occurred in Amuda on 27 June. A group of YPG fighters returning from Hasakah were ambushed near Amuda by opponents of the revolution, resulting in the death of one fighter. The YPG responded, leading to the deaths of several individuals, which created a societal crisis. Sofi, newly arrived, personally visited the families affected. He emphasized that Kurds should not fight each other and that those opposing the revolution should not sow discord among our people. His visits helped resolve the situation.”

Organizing and Training Society

Khalil noted Sofi’s commitment to social development: “He wanted to serve society. When he arrived, the autonomous administration had not yet been established. He visited homes, communes, and councils, spending his days among the people. He was deeply concerned with organizing society, training it, and resolving its problems. He believed that if the community could not govern itself, the revolution had no meaning. Whenever someone raised a concern, he would not rest until he addressed its root cause. He understood that without a democratic, political, and moral society, the revolution could not succeed.”

Sofi also developed himself as an intellectual, often reading and discussing books with his comrades, retaining extensive knowledge from these studies.

Influence and Military Contributions

Khalil observed that Sofi transitioned from social work to military engagement out of necessity, particularly during the rise of ISIS. He focused on the morale and training of fighters, integrating military and social work seamlessly. Khalil stated:

“His opinions were influential and trustworthy. The Syrian Democratic Forces, along with the YPG and YPJ, gained and maintained strength thanks to his extraordinary efforts.”

Fostering a Culture of Resistance

Khalil concluded by emphasizing Sofi’s enduring legacy: “He played a pioneering role in both social and military fields. As an advisor in both spheres, Comrade Sofi had a substantial role in achieving successes and victories and in deeply embedding a culture of resistance.”

a.k

ANHA