SÎLVA Al-ÎBRAHÎM

Manbij- April 4 marks the foundation anniversary of the Women's Defense Units (YPJ). NuJINHA spoke to the members of the Manbij Women's Military Council about the 11th foundation anniversary of the YPJ.

 Solin Efrin, member of the council, was displaced from Afrin to Manbij along with her family due to the attacks of the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions on March 18, 2018. Then, she joined the Manbij Women’s Military Council a year ago.

“I joined the council because I was impressed by the strong will and determination of women fighters. I want to defend my people, liberate my city occupied by the Turkish state and Turkish-backed factions and change the patriarchal mindset that affects our society,” said Solin Efrin. “The difference between women's life in the army and in society is that the army gives women the opportunity to express their opinion, build their strong personality and improve their ability in decision-making. Unfortunately, women are always victims of outdated traditions and customs in their society and they are subjected to all forms of violence by their tribe, family and spouse. The patriarchal mindset weakens women’s personality, turning them into a passive object devoid of their own will.”

‘I have changed since I joined the council’

Since Solin Efrin joined the Manbij Women’s Military Council, many things have changed in her life. “Joining the Manbij Military Council has a positive impact on my personality and existence. I have changed since I joined the council. It encourages me to express myself and my thoughts freely.”

Thousands of women take up arms

“We heard that many women took up arms. When the Manbij offensive started, we saw how thousands of women took up arms to fight ISIS along with the YPJ fighters,” said Elam Minbic, a fighter of the council. “Thousands of women joined the YPJ to liberate our city. ISIS turned the lives of women into darkness in Manbij. Many women became victims of ISIS’s extremist ideology. My cousin was one of them. She was killed with her son during the month of Ramadan by ISIS because she did not wear a black burqa.”

‘Liberating women was our first goal’

ISIS tried to force Elam Minbic into a marriage with one of ISIS members. “But I refused. I joined the Manbij Women’s Military Council after my cousin was killed by ISIS. Many women fighters such as Kojrin and Rojbin Arab, who were killed while fighting to liberate Manbij, inspired me to join the council. They sacrificed their lives to liberate the city, women in particular, from ISIS. Liberating women and the city was our first goal.”

‘Women made a difference’

The patriarchal mindset is a deep-rooted mindset and it cannot be changed overnight, emphasized Elam Minbic. “The women of North and East Syria have changed this deep-rooted mindset. Now, they participate in politics, social life, military and all facets of life. They have changed their society. Today is an important day for us, women, because women began to rise up on April 4 to protect themselves and their people and they founded their own defense units.”

‘We are proud of every step in our journey’

Elam Minbic wished a happy April 4 to all women demanding freedom and concluded her speech as follows:

“We were inspired by the YPJ fighters, who took up arms despite the traditions and customs in our society. We are proud of every step in our journey. Despite all the challenges, we fight for our people. One of the challenges faced by us is the ongoing Turkish attacks targeting women fighting ISIS. Despite these attacks, we are determined to liberate women and our region.”