Hasakah – Amidst the shelling and drone attacks targeting the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, heroic stories emerged, embodying the highest ideals of sacrifice, where courage was intertwined with a spirit of cooperation and a determination to achieve freedom.

Although it was said that the battle had ended in the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods, the Internal Security Forces (Asayish) fighters had taken preemptive measures, as they were aware that armed groups were planning an attack. Their objective was to rescue the residents.

Zinarin Kobani, a fighter with the Asayish in Aleppo, explained that on January 4th, information was received indicating a possible attack. The fighters were called to prepare and take up their positions. "Everyone was on high alert. The attack began and lasted for two hours. We managed to achieve a significant victory, but clashes quickly resumed, and some were killed and wounded."

She added, "Then the armed groups launched a third attack. We were all in our positions, and our morale was very high. We received warnings that these groups were moving around us, so we took precautions. Everyone implemented their procedures, and since they couldn't advance initially, they resorted to using drones, which undoubtedly belonged to the Turkish occupation."

She noted that the armed groups were shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great), while the fighters chanted "Berxwedana Jiyan e" (Resistance is life). She explained that these chants masked their fear, as they quickly took cover. "After using the drones, they began relying on their heavy weapons, while we were forced to rely more on light weapons. When their vehicles advanced, we tried to engage them, but their speed prevented us from hitting them."

She reported that at 1:30 a.m. new clashes broke out. “We used our light weapons, and while I was trying to advance to support the fighters, a missile was fired that injured me and four of my comrades. Despite the intensity of the battle, the fighters did not stop helping each other, as they sought to evacuate the wounded. After the shelling and attacks, we were able to control our injuries and reach the rest.”

"The Turkish state was a key partner in the brutal attack."

Zinarin Kobani explained that after reaching their comrades, tanks advanced. "We evacuated all the wounded and transported them to a hospital in the Ashrafiya neighborhood. Initially, the militants were far away, but their drones and reconnaissance aircraft were hovering above the hospital. They targeted it directly, attempting to eliminate all the wounded. However, the injured took cover underground. As time passed, the reconnaissance drones intensified, and since they couldn't storm the hospital, they resorted to suicide drones," she added. "In the end, a large number of our comrades were wounded, and some of them were martyred. Shehid Roj was the first to fall, followed by Ziad Halab and another comrade. Those who couldn't reach the hospital displayed exceptional courage, preferring to carry out acts of self-sacrifice rather than surrender."

She stated that after the reconnaissance and drone operations ceased, Turkish-backed mercenaries and HTS jihadists launched a tank attack on the hospital the following day at 5:00 PM. "Approximately 40,000 to 45,000 armed men, equipped with heavy weapons, attacked around 150 fighters. Despite the ferocity of the attack, our comrades ultimately managed to destroy the tank in a heroic resistance," she noted. She added that the militants fired gas canisters inside the hospital, causing the gas to spread throughout and the situation to deteriorate dangerously and become extremely difficult. "Our resolve and morale remained high, and the fighters managed to shoot down reconnaissance drones. Ultimately, with the increasing number of wounded, there was no longer enough space or medicine in the hospital, especially after the medical supplies were targeted. We were also unable to reach the injured inside the hospital, but they faced all these harsh conditions with steadfastness and determination, achieving another victory over the enemy before the ceasefire was announced."

She believes that the scene seemed beyond words to describe, especially after all the wounded were transferred to Raqqa and Qamishlo. “After the ceasefire was announced, we all gathered. I was next to the body of the martyr Kirila, who fought until the last bullet, then blew up a bomb herself after she ran out of ammunition, refusing to surrender.”

"The martyrs Gêrîla‘s character is an example of dedication and humanity."

She explained that the enemies of women always view them superficially, but Gêrîla’s character was completely different. "She gave us strength and high morale, and was an example of dedication and humanity. Despite the short time I spent with her, she left a deep impression on me. She was always active, boosting morale and strengthening the bonds between the male and female fighters. She was a model of success, constantly sharing and helping others. She became a role model; she offered great resistance and sacrificed herself for her comrades, and we will continue on her path, the path of Ziad Halab, and all the martyrs."

Zinarin Kobani emphasized that the main objective of the armed groups' attacks was to eliminate society and erase its existence. "They wanted to exterminate us all, but thanks to our steadfastness and the people's resilience, they failed to achieve their goal. They sought to wipe us out completely."

Massacres Committed Against Children

She added, "From the beginning, the information indicated that they would target even infants, and indeed, they committed massacres, killing children and assaulting women, while the men resisted alongside us. We were deeply affected by this." She noted, "After these crimes, they tried to break our will and the will of our leadership, claiming that the Internal Security Forces had attacked them and that we had targeted the residents of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh."

She concluded, "When the attack began, our comrades didn't move at first. After receiving information, they began to resist. It was clear that their goal was to eliminate the freedom of women and the entire people. Our enemies want to wipe the Kurds off the face of the earth, but they will not succeed because we always stand firm. The path of our martyrs is the path of continuous resistance, and victory is always ours. I call on everyone to continue to stand firm until the end. We will continue our struggle until the very last moment."