BERIVAN İNATÇI

Hasakah — Since the Turkish state and its mercenaries occupied the city of Afrin in 2018 — a city that witnessed the formation of the first women’s battalion of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) — the fighter Benaber Afrin, who was captured in Afrin, continues her struggle today from resistance positions in Hasakah in Rojava.

Benaber Afrin confirmed that the attacks by militants of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkish state on Rojava are not merely military operations, but also constitute a serious assault on the concept of women’s freedom. She stressed that women fighters will continue to strengthen their struggle against these attacks, drawing their power from the support of the people.

“The Attack Is Directed Against the Existing Model”

She pointed out that Rojava has been subjected to continuous attacks since the launch of the Women’s Revolution in 2012, explaining: “At first, it was attacked by the Free Army, then by Jabhat al-Nusra, followed by ISIS, and today Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the Turkish state are carrying out joint attacks. Jabhat al-Nusra and the Free Army united and formed ISIS on the same basis, but ISIS was defeated in Kobani. As the Women’s Revolution in Rojava became firmly established and a democratic system emerged, the modern capitalist system began launching attacks against it. These attacks come within the framework of the international conspiracy built on the spread of the model of Leader Öcalan worldwide, and what is happening today is merely a continuation of that conspiracy.”

She emphasized that the ongoing attacks primarily aim to undermine the peace process and the democratic society initiated by Leader Abdullah Öcalan. “They seek to destroy the achievements of the Kurds and the peoples of Rojava, and to target the major advances achieved in the field of women’s freedom and the freedom of peoples. Throughout history, the Kurds have been pioneers of peace and freedom, and everyone knows that no matter how intense the attacks become, they will not be able to eliminate the idea embodied by Leader Öcalan to this day.”

“We Have No Choice but Resistance”

Benaber Afrin explained that the general mobilization is taking place with great enthusiasm, affirming that “women are participating strongly in the resistance. We see women of all ages carrying weapons and joining the ranks of resistance.”

She added: “Even as attacks continue, we must realize that the primary objective is to strike at the idea of democracy and women’s freedom. But this idea will never be defeated. Future generations will grow up with it and will defend themselves. No one can shatter the dreams of the children of this land.”

In conclusion, Benaber Afrin, a fighter in the ranks of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), reaffirmed her determination, saying: “The current brutality is evident even in the media. Wherever we are today or tomorrow, we will continue to resist with all the strength we draw from our leader and our people. We have no option but resistance, and we will achieve the cause of women’s freedom. We are now in the trench of battle, and as long as we are able, we will fight with all our strength and escalate the resistance