Hasakah —Amid the escalation of attacks on the regions of Rojava, militants of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham are committing acts classified as “crimes against humanity” against the Kurdish people. At the forefront of defense stand the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), affirming their determination to safeguard the gains of women and the peoples of the region in the face of these assaults.

In the context of continued violations committed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militants—particularly against the Kurdish people, in addition to abuses targeting women—Armenian female fighters told our agency that these jihadist groups are the same forces that perpetrated genocide against the Armenian people, and that changing names does not mean a change in their aggressive mindset.

“Standing United Against the Attacks”

Tamar Sarkis, an Armenian commander in the “Martyr Media Kassabian Battalion” within the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), stated that their presence in the city of Hasakah aims to defend the gains of peoples and women in the region amid systematic targeting of the Kurdish population.

She expressed deep concern over the attacks and massacres faced by the Kurdish people, describing them as “genocide,” and noted that those who attacked and sought to annihilate the Armenians are today targeting the existence of the Kurdish people and attempting to eradicate them. She stressed their rejection of these attacks and their determination to defend their land and people.

She added that the attacks on Hasakah are being carried out from multiple fronts, but thanks to joint resistance and popular solidarity, they are being repelled:

“We stand united and firmly against the attacks. We defend our people and our land, and we will not allow mercenaries to enter our territory.”

She vowed to continue resisting and defending Hasakah and any area subjected to attacks, recalling the sacrifices made by martyrs over fourteen years for coexistence and freedom:

“We will resist and continue to resist. Resistance will continue until the last breath.”

In closing, she addressed a message to the peoples of the region, calling for unity and solidarity in the face of attacks targeting all components of Syrian society. She emphasized that the targeting is not limited to Kurds, but also includes Druze, Yazidis, and all other communities in the country:

“The peoples must remain united. These jihadist forces chant ‘God is great’ while committing massacres, while we place our hands on our conscience, liberate peoples, and protect ourselves.”

“Through Solidarity, We Grow Stronger”

For her part, Snerish Sari Kaniye, a fighter in the “Martyr Media Kassabian Battalion,” said that Kurdish and Armenian female fighters are fighting side by side on the frontlines in defense of the homeland, and will not retreat before those committing massacres against the Kurdish people, just as was done against the Armenians.

She stressed their determination to defend the city of Hasakah and to continue resisting the attacks with full strength and resolve, adding:

“The enemy cannot break our will. We grow stronger through our unity, draw our strength from our people, and fight on the fronts with high morale.”

Braids as a Symbol of Victory

Hasmik Arak, also a fighter in the same battalion, affirmed that the attacks launched on Rojava are carried out with the approval of international powers, with the Turkish state and ISIS standing behind them. She noted that despite the clarity of these facts, the attacks continue.

She referred to the crime committed by a mercenary against a Kurdish female fighter in Raqqa, where he killed her and cut off her braid, stressing that such practices will not intimidate women fighters. She stated that thousands of women—Kurds and Arabs alike—will braid their hair as a symbol of victory and unity.