BERJIM JOUDI

Kobani_Women from the city of Kobani in Rojava expessed their anger over the violations and torture inflicted upon women in the town of Tel Aran in the Syrian Aleppo countryside, affirming that assaults on women represent a violation of human and societal values.

On the evening of June 30, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham Jihadists carried out an attack on the town of Tel Aran in the Aleppo countryside, resulting in widespread violations against civilians. During the attack, women were subjected to torture and ill-treatment by these forces. This incident has sparked a wave of signiflcant anger among women’s circles, amid demands to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure the protection of women from repeated violations.

“These Practices Are Incompatible with the Ethics of Armies”

From the city of Kobani, Hevim Ismail affirmed her rejection of these practices against women, noting that what happened is not the first of its kind. “These assaults on women bear no relation to ethical or human values, nor do they reflect the conduct of an army that is supposed to protect society. If we lool at the previous violations against Alawites and Druze, we find that the targeting of women is constantly repeated. Armies are established to protect peoples, but what is happening in Syria contradicts this role, especially regarding the treatment of women.”

She added that Syrian women are called upon to take a firm stance to prevent the continuation of these violations, affirming that what happened once again highlights the importance of women’s unity in Syria and their shared struggle to ensure their rights to freedom and equality.”Unless women take a unified stand, they will remain vulnerable to such assaults.”

"Women Represent the Values of Syrian Society"

For her part, Lujin Al-Salem affirmed her rejection of the assaults on women, saying: "Unfortunately, this is not the first time we have witnessed such events. Similar violations have occurred in other Syrian cities. Syrian women are symbols of resistance, struggle, and peace, and therefore being treated in this manner is unacceptable. Hence, we, the women of Kobani, declare our full solidarity with the women who have been subjected to these violations, because our suffering and our struggle are one."

She added that women represent society's values and that these values must not be violated. "Women in Syria are subjected to humiliation, beatings, and torture. Syrian society must not remain silent about these crimes. If these violations continue without accountability, they may become normalized, leading to the destruction of social values. Women are the foundation of society, and if they are subjected to humiliation and violence, the entire Syrian society will suffer."

“Women Must Be Included in the Army as Soon as Possible”

For her part, Hadia Hassan considered that the torture and assault of women constitute an ethical and humanitarian crime. “The absence of institutions, bodies,and forces concerned with women’s protection within Syrian government institutions reflects a state of weakness and the absence of standards, because women are capable of influencing and contributing to the protection of women wherever they are." She called for the accountability of all those responsible for these violations.”