Zainab Issa

Al-Hasakah – Amid escalating incitement rhetoric, the YPJ renewed their commitment to defense, affirming that their fighters—both Kurdish and Arab—embody a unique model of shared unity. They stressed that their struggle is not limited to confronting security threats but also extends to countering all attempts to sow discord between the Kurdish and Arab peoples.

The YPJ fighters emphasized that their goal is to promote the unity of peoples, protect women, and preserve the achievements made in Rojava.

“The Kurdish People Established the Democratic Nation System”

Fighter Sema Kobani, from the ranks of the YPJ, explained that the Kurdish people in Rojava have fought a long struggle for the rights of all components of society: “The war in Syria over recent years has taken many forms, from ideology, culture, and language to attacks and even brotherhood among peoples. The Kurdish people in Rojava struggled for many years and ultimately achieved numerous accomplishments.”

She pointed out that jihadist groups, such as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, aim to attack the Democratic Nation system, but Kurdish and Arab YPJ fighters confront these attacks together and continue defending: “These recent attacks were carefully planned. They tried to divide the Kurdish and Arab peoples and ignite war between them. But they failed, as the Arab, Kurdish, Armenian, Syriac, and Yazidi communities united and shed their blood to defend their place in the Democratic Nation system. We, as fighters in the YPJ, fight side by side to ensure that all communities can live in peace and that the democratic system is protected.”

She also highlighted the revolutionary struggle of the Kurdish people, who rose with strong spirits and supported their fighters. She noted that the recent war was a battle for existence and dignity, aimed at eradicating the Kurdish people in Syria—but they failed. Kurdish people worldwide also participated in the spirit of the revolution in the battle for dignity, and YPJ fighters drew high morale and energy from the people’s support. She explained that seeing parents and children standing behind the fighters until the end gave them extra strength, affirming that there is no turning back and that the defense of the people, land, and homeland will continue until the end.

“We Will Continue Fighting and Defending Until the End”

Sema Kobani highlighted the YPJ’s struggle, confirming that they renewed their commitment to ongoing resistance in the latest agreement: “We have always seen that the most violent attacks target women, and every time armed groups launch assaults against women. Even in the recent stage, women were on the frontlines facing the toughest attacks. We, as the YPJ, established 13 years ago, continue our primary mission of protecting women.”

She added, “In battles, we often carry the coffins of our comrades who were martyred, which shows the brutality of these groups that we absolutely reject. But thanks to our continuous struggle over the years, we accepted this commitment in the latest agreement, and we will continue to fight and defend women until the end.”

Fighter Beritan Sarhad, from the Arab component of the YPJ, affirmed that no force on the ground can undermine the Democratic Nation system: “During the attacks on January 6, jihadist groups like Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham tried to stir discord between Kurds and Arabs. But we, as Arab women in the YPJ, will confront this incitement because we all live with one spirit on Syrian soil. Every community has its own culture and art, and the presence of all components must be protected—not just the Arab component. In the Democratic Nation system, all communities live with one spirit. Therefore, as an Arab woman in the YPJ, I stand alongside Kurdish fighters and defend this system with a unified spirit.”

She added, “Any force that commits violence against women will find us confronting them. The Women’s Protection Units will continue to stand as the line of defense until the end.”