The Kurdish-led force Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) have condemned the recent Turkish drone strike that killed two Kurdish journalists, Gülistan Tara and Hêro Bahadîn, in the Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî) region of Iraqi Kurdistan on Friday. In a statement, the YPJ accused Turkey of targeting the journalists to conceal its annexation plans in the region.
“The attack of the fascist Turkish state on these female journalists was carried out to cover up its annexation plans in Iraqi Kurdistan,” the YPJ stated. The force is well-known for its role in the fight against ISIS, where its female fighters gained international recognition for their bravery and effectiveness in combating the extremist group.
The YPJ also highlighted the collaboration between Turkey, Kurdish forces in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), and the Iraqi authorities, stating that the attacks are part of a broader plan to nullify Kurdish achievements to date and to impose genocide on the Kurdish people.
“Turkey, is conducting these inhumane attacks with the support of traitorous forces, to expunge the gains of the Kurdish Freedom Movement and silence the truth,” they stated. The YPJ vowed to continue the fight against oppression, honouring the legacy of the slain journalists and others who have fallen in the struggle for Kurdish freedom.
The YPJ has called on international human rights organisations to break their silence on Turkey’s actions and prevent further attacks on Kurdish territories and leaders. They also expressed their solidarity with the families of the slain journalists, promising to carry forward their struggle for truth and freedom.
As a key component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the YPJ has played a crucial role in defending North and East Syria, particularly during the battles against ISIS. Their commitment to resisting oppression extends beyond the battlefield, as they also fight to protect the rights and dignity of the Kurdish people across the region.
