Widespread women’s anger sweeps social media: “In Place of One Braid, Millions Will Grow”

A mercenary affiliated with the Syrian Interim Government, identified as “Rami Al-Dahesh,” killed a fighter from the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) in the city of Raqqa, then cut off her braid and published it.

The mercenary posted images of the crime on social media, sparking intense and angry reactions.

Young women, Kurdish journalists, activists, and their friends—who view the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) as an integral part of liberating society from mercenaries and authoritarian power—expressed their positions against the act of cutting the fighter’s braid.

Women shared images of their braided hair, accompanied by songs focusing on the women’s revolution in Rojava to express their stance. They captioned the photos with phrases such as: “In place of every braid, millions of braids will grow,” “Woman, Life, Freedom,” and “We will take revenge for these braids.”

“These braids will strangle you”

Yazidi women, who were rescued by the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) from the crimes of ISIS mercenaries, also launched a campaign titled “These Braids Will Strangle You.”

Hair holds deep symbolic and spiritual significance in Yazidi belief, which led the campaign to receive wide attention and broad participation.

A-H

ANHA