War-Wounded Federation: recognition of YPJ is guarantee for future of Syria’s people, women

Today, the Federation of War-Wounded Individuals in North and East Syria issued a statement at the Martyr Delil Saroukhan Shrine in Qamishlo, expressing support for the YPJ's demand to be recognized as an independent women's military force.

The statement was delivered in Arabic by Maher Raqqa, a member of the Federation, and in Kurdish by Zerya Maher, a member of the Federation’s Media Office.

The statement read:

"The Rojava Revolution emerged in 2012 as a beacon of hope born from hardship, gradually shaping the experience of North and East Syria and transforming the region into one of the safest havens for the aspirations of peoples and women after decades of marginalization.

At the heart of this historic process, the establishment of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) represented a significant milestone in the struggle for freedom, reaching its peak through the participation of women from all communities. Women who had endured decades of exclusion and suppression under a dominant patriarchal system and were deprived of their most basic human rights have now returned to the stage of history as courageous fighters reclaiming their rights and identity.

The creation of an organized and independent women's military force such as the YPJ in a complex region like the Middle East, where nationalist systems and patriarchal attitudes prevail constitutes a historic achievement and an urgent necessity. The commanders and fighters of these units were inspired by the ideas and philosophy of Abdullah Ocalan and, with unwavering determination, fought major battles against brutal organizations such as ISIS/Daesh, which posed a real threat to humanity.

During these battles, hundreds of brave women became martyrs, while fighters such as Arin and Rêvana set remarkable examples of leadership and sacrifice. Thanks to this struggle, Kurdish, Arab, Assyrian, Syriac, Armenian, and Turkmen women, who had long suffered from marginalization and denial have become pioneers in leading society and influential voices in public administration.

This revolution has demonstrated to the world that no system can endure unless women are placed at its foundation. Through the sacrifices of its martyrs and wounded fighters, the YPJ has proven itself to be a powerful force for the self-defense of all women and the peoples of Syria. Its resilience has earned international admiration and become a source of hope for the oppressed.

Recognizing the YPJ as an independent force and guaranteeing its inclusion in a future Syrian army as part of a broader process of resolution and integration would be the only genuine safeguard for the peoples of Syria and its women in the future.

We call on all women who aspire to freedom, especially Syrian women, to stand alongside YPJ fighters and fulfill their historic role in protecting the independence of these units. As war-wounded individuals, we view support for the YPJ as a noble and moral responsibility, as it serves as a true protector of the freedom of our communities.

On this occasion, and in the name of the first YPJ martyr, Slava Afrin, we remember all our martyrs with profound respect and gratitude, and we bow in honor of their sacrifices, which paved the way toward freedom."

The statement concluded with chants and slogans honoring the resistance and struggle of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ).

ANHA