PÊLÎN NÛPELDA

Qamishlo (Qamishli)- Syria’s interim government appointed Ahmad al-Hayes (nom de guerre: Abu Hatim Shaqra), the man responsible for the killing of Kurdish politician Hevrin Khalaf, as commander of Division 86 operating across Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, and Raqqa on May 5, 2025. Abu Hatim Shaqra killed Hevrin Khalaf, the Secretary General of the Future Syria Party, near the M4 Motorway south of Tell Abyad on November 12, 2019, during the Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria.

The appointment of Abu Hatim Shaqra as commander of Division 86 sparked anger among women activists and human rights defenders. 

‘This appointment is a clear threat’

“The appointment of a person, who has been listed as a terrorist and brutally killed many people as a commander is a clear threat to all people, especially women,” said Welîda Hesen, Spokesperson of the Future Syria Party Women’s Council. “The appointment of this person, who killed and tortured civilians and raped women in Afrin is unacceptable.”

‘The murderer of Hevrin Khalaf is awarded’

Welîda Hesen recalled that Hevrin Khalaf was a political leader, who fought for peace, freedom and women's rights. “Hevrin Khalaf was a politician. The murderer of Hevrin Khalaf is awarded by being appointed as a commander. This appointment is a clear attack on the will of the people and women.”

‘Murderers must be prosecuted by an international tribunal’

Welîda Hesen told NuJINHA that they, as women and the Future Syria Party Women’s Council, would raise their voices against that appointment.

“As women organizations, we do our part and will take to the streets until the murderer of Hevrin Khalaf is prosecuted. This person was appointed as a commander to places where thousands of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters lost their lives. This is unacceptable. We demand murderers be prosecuted by an international tribunal.”

Welîda Hesen thinks that the impunity for attacks against women further increases gender-based violence.

“Hevrin Khalaf was brutally killed. This massacre shows us the extent of the hatred against women. If those who committed crimes against women go unpunished, women will face more threats.”

Welîda Hesen called on all women to raise their voices against the appointment of Abu Hatim Shaqra and said, “Women led the revolution (in Rojava). We will preserve the legacy of Hevrin and will take to the streets to demand justice until the murderer of Hevrin is prosecuted.”