The Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), central to the autonomy movement in North and East Syria, have denounced the Turkish state’s latest military operations in a statement issued on Tuesday. Turkish military attacks are described as “attacks contrary to laws” on “the revolution of freedom, which has become the hope of the people.”
In their comprehensive statement, the YPJ condemned the “occupying fascist Turkish state,” accusing it of partaking in a hegemonic policy. They criticised the international community’s silence, equating it to “approval of and reinforcement for ISIS.”
The YPJ lambasted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s stance on international conflicts, contrasting it with his state’s actions in Rojava and northeastern Syria, which they say “have surpassed all kinds of brutal attacks witnessed by humanity throughout history.”
“Protecting the homeland is the reason for our existence and struggle,” the YPJ emphasised, highlighting their significant role in the fight against ISIS, defending “all human values.”
“The Turkish state, which has failed politically, socially, and militarily, always attacks our regions like a savage wolf,” the YPJ stated, accusing Turkey of continuous aggression which they view as a danger not just regionally, but “a threat to the peoples of the world as a whole.”
The YPJ warned potential aggressors, saying, “Let the entire world know that whoever tries to turn our country into hell will burn in the fire of that hell.”
This strong rebuke from the YPJ adds to international concerns regarding the ongoing Turkish aggression, emphasising its broader implications for worldwide peace and stability.
The YPJ vowed to persist in their “legitimate struggle” against “Turkish fascism,” calling for increased organisation among their people and global support. They concluded by emphasising the importance of their people’s determination, asserting, “It is the sacred stance of our people who never surrender to the terrorism of the Turkish state.”
The YPJ is an all-female Kurdish military organisation in North and East Syria. It was established as the female brigade of the People’s Protection Units (YPG), which is the main armed service of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The YPJ and YPG are key components in the Kurdish struggle for autonomy within Syria, especially in the northern regions, commonly referred to as Rojava.
The YPJ has gained international recognition for its crucial role in the fight against ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), particularly in key battles like the siege of Kobani. The organisation not only represents a military force but also symbolises the empowerment of women in a region where gender equality has historically faced significant challenges. The YPJ is known for its commitment to women’s rights, democracy and secularism, and its members often advocate for these principles both on and off the battlefield.
