Ronida Haji

Al‑Hasakah – The Women's Protection Units (YPJ) have proven during the Rojava revolution that protection is fundamental to the women's revolution and to safeguarding the principles and gains of the people, especially women. Recognizing them and respecting their specificity is an essential step to ensure the building of a new, more just and equal Syria.

After the fall of the Syrian regime about a year and a half ago, the country faces major challenges in implementing the revolution's principles following the takeover of jihadist groups. Despite the signing of the January 29 agreement this year between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the interim government to guarantee the specificity of the region and its forces, the latter does not hesitate to evade its obligations.

The integration process is going through a delicate phase that requires credibility from both parties. However, many practices confirm the interim government's lack of seriousness in implementation, including the non‑recognition of the Kurdish language, the Women's Protection Units, and even the return of displaced persons from Ras al‑Ayn / Sere Kaniye.

Kurdistan Kojar, a member of the military council of the Women's Protection Units, affirmed that accepting the integration of women's forces is extremely important.

She said that in this phase that Syria, especially the Rojava regions, is going through, protection is very important for women because "the authoritarian mentality is waging brutal attacks against the existence of women." Therefore, "organization and the development of awareness constitute a powerful weapon alongside military protection."

She explained that many important achievements were realized during the Rojava revolution under the leadership of the YPJ, and that these forces "bore great responsibility in protecting the existence of women within society." They also provided an opportunity to build women's institutions and organizations. "Before the revolution, women were unable to express their opinions on any issue. Today, we see how women share their ideas and confidently discuss their role and existence within society."

She added: "Years ago, when a woman took a strong, confident step, they would say she resembled men, and they did not believe in her identity as a woman. Therefore, thanks to the struggle of the YPJ, women today have their own identity and independent will."

"The YPJ possesses a great history of struggle"

Kurdistan Kojar pointed to the historic struggle of the YPJ, affirming that the failure to recognize them weakens efforts to build a new Syria. "The YPJ has a great history of struggle that has left its mark on various aspects of society. Thanks to this struggle, society has changed and has been protected from terrorism, which posed a threat to the world."

She explained that "wherever women are, they share common pains. Denying the YPJ means denying women's identity and their historic struggle." She hopes that women will continue to struggle for their existence, affirming that "the aim of not recognizing the YPJ and denying women's role is to return Syria once again to the dark days."

"Syria needs the YPJ's experience"

The YPJ does not need to integrate into the new system as much as this system needs to benefit from the YPJ's experience, which fought fierce battles against ISIS. Therefore, Kurdistan Kojar stressed that all women must realize that rejecting the integration of the YPJ into the new Syrian army is a war against all women. "We possess a broad and successful experience that no one can deny. Everyone who seeks to build a new Syria must benefit from our experience and struggle. We fought for the whole world and for all women. We struggled, and therefore we have the right to be recognized as a women's force."