SIBELIA EL-IBRAHIM

Manbij- Reacting to Turkey's threats and attacks, the women of Manbij emphasized that the attacks target the women’s gains in northeastern Syria. Pointing to what the people faced in the attacks of ISIS, the women said that they would struggle against the occupation.

“We will struggle for our gains”

Rabaa Bakro, a member of the Education Committee of the Zenobiya Women's Community, stated that the women of Manbij suffered from the attacks of ISIS and said, “The women were subjected to inhuman practices when the city was occupied by ISIS. We supported the Manbij Military Council to liberate the city. We put the Democratic Nation Project into effect by respecting all groups living in Manbij. We solved all the problems of the groups. Everyone has a role in the city administration now. We reject the threats of the Turkish state in the region and we are determined to stand against them. We will stand by our defense forces and struggle for our gains. We will not leave our houses and fight the Turkish occupation.”

“Women will fight the occupation”

Sibal Mulla, a member of the Zenobiya Women’s Community, pointed out that the Turkish state is another face of ISIS. Stating that ISIS first targeted women in its attacks, she said, “When everyone joined forces, ISIS was defeated. The women of Manbij are warrior women. They fought ISIS and they will fight the Turkish occupation and Turkey-backed factions.”

“People are determined to live together”

Sana Rajab, a Circassian woman living in Manbij, is also a member of the Zenobiya Women’s Community. Emphasizing that the people living in the city are determined to live together, she said, “We will not allow the Turkish state to enter our region. We will protect our gains.”

“We will unite to protect our gains”

Manbij Social Affairs Committee Co-Chair Asmaa Al-Rammo is a Turkmen woman. Stating that they, as women, were subjected to many attacks by ISIS, she said, “Then, everyone united to liberate Manbij. We stand by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Manbij Military Council against the occupation. Women play an important role in Manbij and we will unite to protect our gains.”