ZEYNEB ÎSA

Qamishlo- The July 19th Revolution was led by revolutionary women, who have made great efforts secretly against all the oppression and fought for freedom for years. Delal Bedûr, who was born in Syria’s coastal city Latakia but has lived in the city of Qamishlo for 40 years, is one of these women. When she was 15 years old, she got involved in the Kurdish Freedom Movement. She made great efforts to learn and speak Kurdish. Her son and husband lost their lives while fighting to liberate the occupied areas in northeastern Syria.

In an interview with NuJINHA, she talked about how she got involved in the Kurdish Freedom Movement.

“I was 15 years old when I got involved in the freedom movement,” said Delal Bedûr. “Some comrades came to our home in Latakia and held a meeting there, giving information about the Kurdish Freedom Movement. At the meeting, I felt very interested in the movement. When I read the books of leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan), I wanted to carry out activities for the freedom movement. After a while, I married my Kurdish husband. We moved to Qamishlo and I started working here. Since then, I have been involved in the Kurdish Freedom Movement.”

After the start of the revolution in Rojava, Delal Bedûr carried out activities as a member of the Martyr Aram Commune and then Mala Gel (Peoples’ House). “The revolution in Rojava was led by women. Then, the institutions of the Autonomous Administration were established. After my son was martyred, I carried out activities as a member of the Council of Martyrs Families in Qamishlo. I worked at Mala Gel for three years. Then, I became co-chair of the Martyr Aram Commune. After serving as the co-chair of the commune for two years, I began to work at the Veterans’ House. I tried to heal my comrades' wounds like a mother and took care of them. Now, I am also a member of the Martyr Aram Commune.”

‘Women take part in the struggle for freedom’

Delal Bedûr pointed to the roles, struggle of women in the Kurdish Freedom Movement, and said, “Women, especially Kurdish women, become the pioneers of society by taking part in the struggle for freedom. Women have willpower and courage. As a woman of Arab origin, I have been inspired by the will of Kurdish women and followed in their footsteps. When my husband was martyred, I decided to struggle to the end.”

Delal Bedûr also commented on the massacres committed in Syria’s coastal areas. “I condemn the massacres committed against the Syriac and Alawite people in the coastal cities of Syria. People from different religions and ethnic groups live in Syria. The armed groups backed by the HTS kill Syriac, Armenian and Alawite people. All we want is a Syria, where all people will be represented and the rights of all people will be guaranteed.”