Women of NE Syria commemorate martyr Zilan, affirm to continue her struggle 

A series of events were held in cities across the Jazira Canton, North and East Syria, marking the 29th anniversary of the martyrdom of Zilan (Zainab Kanaji), who carried out a self-sacrificial operation against the Turkish occupation army in the city of Dersim in Northern Kurdistan on June 30, 1996.

Jazira Canton 

In this context, the people of the towns of Girkê Legê and Rimelan commemorated the 29th anniversary of the martyrdom of Zilan today. The event, organized by Kongra Star, was held in the Workers’ Union Hall in Rimelan.

The event witnessed wide participation from residents and members of civil institutions. It began with a minute of silence in tribute to the martyrs, followed by a speech from Ilham Mohammed, a member of the General Council of the Democratic Union Party (PYD). She praised Zilan’s sacrifices, describing her as "a symbol of free resistance and the women’s struggle for dignity and freedom."

In her speech, Ilham Mohammed affirmed that "Zilan has not disappeared; she has become a torch lighting the way for future generations. Her message was a call for every woman to remain steadfast on the path of struggle and liberation." She urged continued resistance in her footsteps until the goals for which she gave her life are achieved.

The event included the reading of Zilan’s letter, which she wrote to the Leader Abdullah Ocalan before carrying out her operation. Candles were lit in front of her photo, and the event concluded with chants of "Woman, Life, Freedom."

Similarly, Kongra Star organized an event in the city of Çil Agha at the Culture and Art Center. The event was attended by members of communes, the Council of Martyrs’ Families, civil and service institutions, as well as political and military representatives.

Salama Remo, a member of Kongra Star, read martyr Zilan’s letter, followed by a speech by Netwa Ghimegin, an administrator in the PYD’s Women’s Council. She discussed the significance of Zilan’s self-sacrificial action, stating it "transformed the nature of the struggle and established a genuine women’s resistance that is not confined to the mountains but extends to all fields of life."

Netwa stressed that Zilan represented "the model of the revolutionary woman capable of breaking chains and confronting injustice and tyranny," calling on women and peoples of the region to continue resisting with the same spirit and determination.

The event concluded with chants honoring the martyrs, expressing loyalty to Leader Abdullah Ocalan, and affirming commitment to the path of freedom.

Raqqa Canton 

Meanwhile, the Council of Zenobia  Women’s Gathering in Raqqa organized a commemorative event for Zilan, held at the Cultural Center in downtown Raqqa.

The event was attended by members from both civil and military institutions, as well as the Co-Chair of the Executive Council in Raqqa Canton, Hevin Ismail. It began with a moment of silence, followed by Jihan Mohammed, a member of the Zenobia Women's Gathering Coordination in Raqqa Canton, reading the letter of the martyr Zilan. The letter carried profound meanings of courage, faith, and sacrifice.

In her message, Zilan expressed her unwavering commitment to the Kurdish cause and her readiness to give her life for the freedom and rights of the Kurdish people, stating that such sacrifice represents the highest form of loyalty and devotion.

Following the letter reading, a short film (senfîzyon) was screened documenting Zilan’s life and struggle. The event concluded with a musical performance by the Helîn Cudi troupe affiliated with the Helal Zêrîn Movement for Women’s Culture.

Deir ez-Zor Canton

In a related event, the Zenobia Women's Gathering organized a commemoration in the People's Council Hall in the town of Hajin in eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside. The event was attended by local councilwomen, representatives from municipalities and the assembly, and a large number of residents.

The event began with a moment of silence, followed by a welcoming speech from Safa Al-Ahmad, an administrator in the gathering. She recounted Zilan’s life story, from her birth in the village of Elmalı near the city of Malatya in Northern Kurdistan, to the political and revolutionary awareness shaped by her environment.

She noted that Zilan joined the Kurdish Freedom Movement in 1995, adopting the name "Zilan" in honor of the Zilan Valley, the site of a massacre against Kurds in 1930.

Safa also spoke about Zilan’s operation in Dersim in 1996, considered the first of its kind led by a woman in the movement. She emphasized that Zilan’s struggle inspired women in North and East Syria and opened the way for their participation in all spheres of life.

For her part, Imtithal Al-Ali, a member of the training committee of Zenobia Women's Gathering training committee in the Euphrates city, stated that Zilan faced difficult conditions with unshakable willpower. She noted that Zilan’s revolutionary journey marked a turning point in the history of women’s resistance. Her self-sacrificial act laid the foundation for a female resistance approach and shattered traditional stereotypes about women's roles.

Imtithal added that Zilan became a symbol of sacrifice and strength, a source of inspiration and empowerment for today’s women. Her legacy remains alive in the hearts of women fighters, and her sacrifice paved the way for women’s involvement in political and military struggle, breaking societal constraints.

The event featured a documentary film about Zilan’s life, her role in the Kurdish liberation movement, and her contribution to building a revolutionary female legacy inspired by the leader’s support for women.

The commemoration concluded with candle-lighting in front of Zilan’s photo and chants celebrating women’s resistance and calling for freedom.

Tabqa Canton

The Zenobia Women’s Gathering Council in Tabqa Canton also commemorated the martyrs Zainab Kanaji and Sama Yoja during an event attended by women from the towns of Al-Jurniyah and Al-Mansoura. The event was held at the Council Hall in central Tabqa.

The commemoration began with the lighting of candles and a minute of silence in tribute to the souls of the martyrs. Then, Kawthar Al-Ahmad, an administrator of the Zenobia Women’s Gathering Council in Tabqa, read the two martyrs’ letters, which focused on national values and highlighted the role and thought of Leader Abdullah Ocalan in liberating peoples, especially the Kurdish people, from the chains of slavery and exploitation.

Afterward, attendees watched a short documentary showcasing the lives and struggles of the two martyrs in the path of freedom, a path that has become a model for freedom advocates around the world. The event concluded with chants celebrating women’s resistance and Leader Abdullah Ocalan.

A-H 

ANHA