Female Leader:The Existence of the YPJ is Tied to the Existence of the People and the will of free Women
YPJ leader Roken Arjan says the units have been a pillar of Rojava's revolution, with fighters' sacrifices making them a global symbol of women's resistance.
NAGHAM JAJAN
Qamishlo_Over 14 years of the women’s revolution in Rojava, the women’s Protection Units (YPJ) have written prominent pages of struggle and resistance, evolving from a force defending the land and people into a symbol of the will of free women and their voice, which has remained present despite all challenges.
In the darkest conditions and most difficult stages, the YPJ fighters were on the front lines, defending the values of freedom, dignity, and justice, proving that women are capable of leading change and building a freer and more equal future. Thanks to this ongoing struggle, the YPJ has become a symbol of resistance and a source of inspiration for women of the region and the world.
In her statement to our agency, YPJ leader Roken Arjan affirmed that the existence of the YPJ is tied to the existence of the people themselves. At the outset of her remarks, she explained that since the launch of the Rojava Revolution to the present day, the YPJ has played a pivotal role in protecting women and society.
She added: "From the beginning of the revolution to today, the YPJ has waged an unprecedented struggle and made great sacrifices for women's freedom. That is why its existence, identity, and struggle have become known worldwide. The YPJ is one of the fruits of the Rojava Revolution. With the launch of the revolution, every woman possessed a free will and waged the struggle for freedom, so women joined the YPJ for their rights and their existence."
She touched on the role of the YPJ in the war against ISIS, particularly in Kobani: "In the Battle of Kobani, the YPJ's struggle was clearly demonstrated. Women proved that they are also capable of bearing arms and fighting, breaking the idea that women cannot fight and that their place is only at home. The YPJ's development was built on this foundation. Alongside the YPG and the Syrian Democratic Forces, the fighters fought bravely on the front lines. Through this struggle, it became clear that women are capable of fighting as much as, if not more than, men. Thus, the YPJ proved its existence and identity with great blood and sacrifices."
She also pointed out that the authorities do not recognize the YPJ's existence, rejecting its influential power. "The interim authority in Syria is aware of the courage and strength of the YPJ, and therefore tries to deny its struggle and erase its history, because it knows that if the YPJ becomes part of the Syrian army, it will have a great impact."
YPJ leader Roken Arjan stressed that the YPJ will continue its struggle: "Even if the interim administration tries to deny the YPJ, it will not be able to prevent global support for it. The YPJ fought and defeated ISIS, and its existence is tied to the people. It ensures women's existence, and denying it means denying the existence of all women. We reject this authoritarian mentality. The existence of the YPJ is the existence of the people, and the existence of the people is the existence of the YPJ."