ASMA MOHAMMAD

Qamishlo — Women in the city of Qamishlo, Rojava, affirmed that the assault on a Kurdish citizen during the raid operations in Tel Hasil and Tel Aran constitutes a clear violation of human rights and human dignity. They emphasized their absolute rejection of these practices, calling for an end to the recurring violations against women, ensuring respect for the laws governing arrest procedures, and holding those responsible accountable.

Amid ongoing security tensions in the Aleppo countryside areas, accompanied by raid and arrest campaigns carried out by forces affiliated with the interim Syrian government in the towns of Tel Aran and Tel Hasil, popular and women's rejection and condemnation are escalating regarding the violations against civilians, particularly women, that accompanied these operations.

The assault on Kurdish citizen Nazha Hamki—after she documented the raid operations and demanded that the elements present a legal arrest warrant—has sparked a wide wave of condemnations, amid calls to stop violations, ensure the protection of women, and respect human rights and the laws governing arrest procedures.

In this context, a number of activists and administrators in women's institutions and organizations in Qamishlo expressed their rejection of what they described as the continued targeting of women, affirming that these practices represent a flagrant violation of human dignity.

"Attempts Will Not Deter Us from Continuing Our Struggle"

Shirin Dawood, an administrator of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) in the Qamishlo district, affirmed that what happened in Tel Hasil and Tel Aran falls within a long series of assaults systematically targeting women. "These practices are not new; they represent an extension of the policies of violence exercised against women over the past years." She pointed out that targeting women has become a means of pressuring society as a whole, as they are the fundamental pillar of the family and social life.

She added that the recent assaults targeted Kurdish mothers, which necessitates a unified stance from all women and community and rights forces. She affirmed that defending women is not linked to their national or religious affiliation but is a defense of the values of humanity and justice.

She pointed out that the interim government is attempting to curtail women's growing role through direct targeting, but these attempts will not deter women from continuing their struggle and holding onto their rights, affirming that women will continue to raise their voices against all violations. 

Women's Unity Is the Way to Protect Rights

For her part, Nizam Nouri, a member of the Women's House in Qamishlo, affirmed that a woman is not merely an individual within the family but the fundamental pillar on which society is built, and therefore any assault on her is an assault on society as a whole. 

She added that women in North and East Syria have proven their courage and ability to resist terrorism over the past years, making great sacrifices in defense of land, dignity, and freedom, which makes their targeting today unacceptable and condemnable by all standards. She explained that the women who were assaulted in Tel Hasil and Tel Aran only demanded legal rights, including the presentation of official arrest warrants during arrests, yet they were subjected to humiliation, beating, and mistreatment—a clear violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by laws and international covenants.

Nizam Nouri directed a message to women worldwide, calling for strengthened feminist solidarity and standing united against all forms of violence and discrimination, affirming that women's unity is the way to protect women's rights and consolidate the values of justice and equality.

"We Will Be One Hand and One Heart in the Face of All Forms of Violence"

For her part, Layla Mohammed, Deputy of the Qamishlo Council in the Democratic Union Party (PYD), affirmed that women have gathered today to condemn the recent assaults on women in Tel Hasil and Tel Aran, along with the various violations women face in conflict zones, pointing out that any assault on a woman anywhere must be met with a unified stance from all women.

She explained that the women who were assaulted had no fault other than defending their homes, children, and dignity, stressing that women must not be victims of wars, conflicts, or policies targeting civilians.

Layla Mohammed concluded by affirming that the women of Rojava will continue on the path of struggle in defense of freedom and dignity, and will remain one hand and one heart in the face of all forms of violence and violations, believing that justice cannot be achieved unless women attain their full rights and their dignity is safeguarded.