SÎLVA AL-ÎBRAHÎM

Manbij- Politician Feryal Silêman Xalid, also known as Zelal Zagros, was shot dead in the street outside a school in Kirkuk, a city in southern Kurdistan (Kurdish Region of Iraq) on 18 January, 2024. Born in Hasakah Canton of North and East Syria in 1975, joined the Kurdish Freedom Movement when she was 17. Zelal Zagros was a symbol of freedom for Kurdish people, especially women. She struggled for the freedom of her people for 31 years and took part in the Rojava revolution. In 2016, she participated in the offensive against ISIS in Manbij and played a leading role in uniting different groups in the city against ISIS.

In 2018, she went to Deir ez-Zor to fight ISIS. Then, she went to Damascus, the capital of Syria, to strengthen women’s organizations. For 31 years, she carried out activities to raise awareness among women. She went to Southern Kurdistan to make efforts for women; however, she was assassinated in Kirkuk on January 18. On January 22, she was laid to rest in Hasakah.

‘She fought the oppression of women’

Zelal Zagros was also one of the founders of the office of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) in Manbij. “Reactionary regimes aim to intimidate people by assassinating political women activists,” said Ghabsha Suleiman, member of the Tal Hawzan Council in Manbij. “Zelal Zagros fought the oppression of women in Manbij when the city was controlled by ISIS. She paved the way for women to play their role in society. Martyr Zelal Zagros left an unforgettable mark and impact on women of Manbij. We vow to follow in her footsteps and to struggle for women’s freedom.”

‘Such practices cannot disrupt our determination to struggle’

“During a meeting to elect the co-spokesperson of a village commune, she made a speech that impressed all participants,” said Fatima Salloum, Co-chair of the Tal Hawzan Council, talking about the personality and the struggle of Zelal Zagros. “When ISIS controlled our city, she taught us how to fight to take back our rights. Thanks to her, I improved myself and now I am the Co-chair of the council. She had a strong personality. We vow to follow in her footsteps.  Reactionary regimes aimed to break the will of women by killing Zelal Zagros; however, such practices cannot disrupt our determination to struggle.”

‘The attacks will not weaken the strong will of women’

“Zelal Zagros was with us when Manbij was controlled by ISIS,” said Halime Cuma, Co-chair of the Al Farat Council. “After Manbij was liberated from ISIS, Zelal Zagros led us to rebuild our city. Her struggle impressed people of all ages. She led women from darkness to light. The attacks and assassinations will not weaken the strong will of women. We will follow in the footsteps of Zelal Zagros.”

‘She left traces on every woman's personality’

Mona Al-Hammadi, deputy chair of the Future Syria Party office in Deir ez-Zor, talked about when Zelal Zagros was in Deir ez-Zor. “We worked together everywhere. Zelal Zagros left traces on every woman's personality. She had a strong and compassionate personality. I vow to follow in her footsteps and build a democratic and free Syria.”

‘She played an important role in organizing women’

Süha Al-Saeed, member of the Young Women’s Union in Deir ez-Zor, said that Zelal Zagros had fought to protect people from ISIS. “She played an important role in organizing women. We vow to walk on her path.”