NAGHAM JAJAN

Al-Hasakah — Over 14 years, the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) have constituted a prominent women's military force in northern and eastern Syria, before the integration agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government raised questions about their future and role within the Syrian army.

On January 29, 2026, an agreement was signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the interim Syrian government, beginning a new phase in Syria's history—the phase of integration between the Autonomous Administration's institutions and government institutions.

"The Women's Protection Units Built an Identity"

Regarding the developments of recent discussions and the importance of maintaining women's forces in Syria, our agency conducted an interview with YPJ spokesperson Roxan Mohammed, who affirmed that the YPJ has written a new history for women through its struggle over 14 years, becoming a system representing "life" and a new phase in women's history—a force that succeeded in "building a clear system that integrates social, ideological, and military principles within society."

She explained that the YPJ has struggled in various fields of life: "The struggle of the Women's Protection Units is not merely a military struggle; it is a social, political, cultural, and humanitarian struggle. Through it, women have become agents of will, protecting themselves, their land, and their community. These forces built an identity and brought with it valuable and significant characteristics. At this stage, our efforts focus on how to legally secure the long history and valuable legacy of the Women's Protection Units, on the basis that has been formed in the new Syria."

"(YPJ) Is a Military Umbrella for All Women"

Roxan Mohammed noted that the struggle being waged is not limited to the role of the YPJ alone, but includes the broader role of women in the new Syria. "When we speak of the Women's Protection Units, we speak of existence and identity. Because the units emerged with a cause, the struggle will be waged on that basis. And when we say the role of the YPJ in the new Syria, that means what role will women play in general."

She explains that the YPJ "is a military umbrella for the struggle of all women. It has also formed a ground that allows women to wage their struggle in a just and equal manner, while enabling women to continue their struggle in every field with their own minds, vision, and strategy."

Women and the YPJ are interconnected and inseparable, as our interviewee affirms, and democratic integration will be established and succeed through genuine cooperation with women. "The Ba'ath regime rejected the presence of women for nearly 60 years. It is necessary that this situation and this rejection of women not be repeated in the new Syria. If we all want to build a Syria that represents all its components, then the government must accept women in its structure, and the legal status of women must be formally enshrined in the constitution through clear decisions. At the same time, the women of northern and eastern Syria know well how to struggle and secure their rights."

"With the Revolution, an Identity, Awareness, and Political Science Formed Among Women"

Roxan Mohammed highlighted the importance of a women's army in Syria, expressing: "Any new army and new system must include women. Women's presence must also be decisive and clearly defined within the national army, because the YPJ has become an identity for all women and the most foundational legal status in society. With the revolution, an identity, awareness, and political science formed among women."

She affirmed that the new Syria cannot be built without women's participation in politics and laws. "In the army of the new Syria, it is necessary for the YPJ to take its place. On this basis, our struggle continues, because we are Syrian citizens, and we, as the YPJ, have rights in Syria."

"(YPJ) Protected the Existence and Will of Women, and Syria's Land and Values"

Roxan Mohammed mentioned that the YPJ held a meeting in April of last year with the Syrian Minister of Defense. "We are open to opinions and proposals. An official meeting was held between us as a leadership and the Syrian Minister of Defense. In that meeting, we presented a draft proposal on the importance of our units' presence within the army. However, no official response has been received to this day. In the coming period, many meetings will be held with the Damascus government. But when we go and sit at the negotiating table, it must not be forgotten that the YPJ is the cornerstone of the revolution, because it protected the existence and will of women, and also protected Syria's land and values. Therefore, this must be taken into consideration in discussions. True, we are open to dialogue, but we also have our specificities and demands as women and as a military unit."

The YPJ has its own specificity and autonomy, according to our interviewee. It is a force "built with the revolution through many values and gains, with the fingers, emotions, minds, and souls of women. For the first time in the world, a women's force has emerged that manages itself independently, and it has become a model and source of inspiration for all women."

She added: "It is necessary for the YPJ to take its place within the Syrian army, so that women do not face violations for another century. We have reached this stage thanks to the values of society, because the YPJ is a social value. The revolution broke out, but it left great damage to women, who witnessed severe practices and violations. To ensure that such tragedies are not repeated, it is necessary to establish an independent women's military force to protect women."

"Protection Is of Utmost Importance"

Roxan Mohammed drew attention to the importance of defense and protection. "Protection is of utmost importance. The YPJ does not exist merely for the sake of war; the presence of a women's force is vital, social, and humanitarian. Among the pillars of the YPJ's autonomy is its presence in the Rojava region. We are going through a phase in which opinions and ideas vary greatly, but this difference does not mean we cancel or erase each other. We must reach a solution together through dialogue. During the revolution, women saw an urgent need for protection and defense."

"Many People Have Come to Know the YPJ Through Books"

Roxan Mohammed noted that the campaign launched to support the YPJ is ongoing and of great importance. She concluded her remarks by emphasizing that the campaign "We Are All YPJ" is of utmost importance. "Through these slogans, they express their identity, values, and representation. This campaign will certainly continue in various forms. Many people have come from abroad to Rojava, visited the YPJ, and seen it up close. Many have also identified and presented the YPJ through books. For this reason, it has become a global force and idea."