YPJ fighters vow to continue struggle for women’s rights

Several YPJ fighters and internal security members spoke to our agency about their role in protecting women’s rights and ensuring official recognition in the new Syrian constitution. This came on the sidelines of a women’s dialogue forum held in Qamishlo on June 25, which discussed the future of women in Syria.

“We must unite against everything that threatens our existence”

Fighter Vian Ziyad Afrin from the Women’s Protection Units said: “They are trying to erase our name from existence, but through our unity and cohesion with our people, we will never accept that. The interim government is trying to portray the Women’s Protection Units as just an armed formation, but the YPJ is an identity and a complete society. Therefore, women across Rojava and Syria—especially young women—must preserve their identity and history, unite, and show their full strength against everything that threatens their existence.”

She added: “Violence is still present in the mindset of those who commit violence against women to this day. Since the interim government took over, it does not recognize the role of women and tries to reduce our existence to just a female armed formation.”

She concluded: “We will not accept any form of erasing our existence, and we will continue our struggle until the end. We will never forget our martyred comrades and the sacrifices they made.”

Women’s Protection Units as a mixture of Syrian components

For her part, fighter Raya Deir ez-Zor from the Arab component said: “The interim government is marginalizing the existence of the Women’s Protection Units. It is difficult to complete the path of integration and building a new system without the YPJ. These units have made tremendous sacrifices over the years and fought to defend women. Without them, the process of building a Syria based on justice and equality will not be complete.”

She explained that the YPJ is not limited to Kurdish fighters only, but includes various components—Arabs, Kurds, Assyrians, and Syriacs, alongside different sects—and represents all Syrian women.

“We are one hand in our military and social resistance and in our daily life. We cooperate with each other, so a bright future in Syria cannot be built without the existence of these units.”

She concluded: “I wish victory for all women, and we will continue on the path of our martyred comrades, following the ideas of leader Abdullah Ocalan.”

“The continuation of the YPJ is vital”

Meanwhile, Internal Security Forces member Berivan Issa said: “The continuation of the Women’s Protection Units is vital, both in terms of existence and sustainability. Thanks to the sacrifices of our fighters and their efforts, we have been able to live in freedom and dignity, and the echo of this resistance has reached the whole world.”

She concluded by stressing that the new Syrian constitution must guarantee the rights of the units and officially recognize them, allowing them to maintain their distinct identity and play a full role in protecting women and defending their rights.

ANHA