Women in Kobani call for YPJ recognition in Syrian constitution

The head of the Women’s Committee in Kobani, Majda Hassoun, and the co-chair of the Martyrs’ Families Council, Sara Khalil, spoke to ANHA agency about the birthday of Abdullah Ocalan and the founding of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), both of which fall on April 4 each year.

“Women Struggle Against Violence and Authority”

Majda Hassoun congratulated leader Abdullah Ocalan and all women fighters and activists on April 4, saying:

“This date marks the birth of leader Ocalan and the founding of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ). It is a day of humanity’s awakening, especially the awakening of women. It is a very important day because it represents strength and identity. Over the years, the struggle of the Women’s Protection Units has been unique, as they have stood against and fought all forms of violence imposed by authorities.”

She continued:“The Women’s Protection Units fought the most dangerous forms of الإرهاب that the world failed to confront. In the Battle of Kobani, they fought terrorism and defeated it. Figures such as Arin, Rîvana, Avesta, and Barin sacrificed their lives for Kobani. YPJ fighters saved Kobani from ISIS mercenaries and proved their worth through resistance, becoming a global symbol of resilient and fighting women.”

She added:“The enemy always seeks to break the will of women fighters. As we saw in the recent war, when militants mutilated the bodies of female fighters, it shows that the enemy still fears women’s bodies and seeks to destroy their will.”

“Our Pledge Is to Raise the Level of Struggle Until Victory”

Hassoun stressed that “The enemy does not accept the presence of women within the system, because it does not want women’s struggle and resistance to emerge. That is why it does not recognize the Women’s Protection Units in the Syrian constitution. The YPJ is the strongest force and will continue its struggle until the end to secure its existence. We, the women of Kobani, promise to resist until victory. No one can stand against the will of resisting women.”

For her part, Sara Khalil congratulated leader Abdullah Ocalan, saying:

“The birth of the leader is a renewal of the Kurdish people and a new beginning. We see this day as our awakening and celebrate it with great enthusiasm.”

“The YPJ Was Founded as a Result of Women’s Struggle for Freedom”

Khalil added:“The leader gave great importance to women and their empowerment. Women suffered for many years from oppression and ignorance and had no rights. But thanks to the leader, women became aware of themselves and were able to achieve their rights. Therefore, on his birthday, the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) were founded in 2013 as part of women’s struggle for freedom in Rojava Kurdistan, and they quickly gained global recognition through their resistance against ISIS.”

She continued: “The unprecedented resistance of the YPJ against ISIS brutality was not only a military battle, but also a struggle for women’s freedom, identity, and dignity. The YPJ has become a symbol of women’s resistance and freedom, not only in Rojava but worldwide. This resistance strengthened hope for freedom and social equality for all women and peoples. Women have taken their place in the co-chair system and played a leading role. Among leader Ocalan’s projects was empowering women to lead themselves.”

Khalil concluded by stressing the need to recognize the YPJ in the Syrian constitution: “These units are still fighting the enemy with great power and unmatched resistance. As women who have faced genocide, oppression, and all forms of violence, we support leader Ocalan’s project and our women’s forces. The resistance of the YPJ is a sacred value for us, and the world must acknowledge it. We want recognition of the YPJ in the Syrian constitution because it represents the strength, identity, and freedom of all women.”

ANHA