“We women will resist every attack. As a women’s movement, we call for mobilization and participate in it. We reaffirm our promise to the fighters. This resistance is an honor for humanity; the oppression of humanity was defeated here, and this victory was won under the leadership of the Kurdish people. They want to break this will in Kobanê as well. We promised to exist, and we will not give up this resistance. We made a promise, and we will resist to the end.” – Nadiya Hiso, spokesperson for Kongra Star
Kobanê is an ancient city comprised of 360 villages, five municipalities, and two major districts. The city is old, with vibrant markets and children playing in the streets. The women of Kobanê are organizing themselves, building institutions to give their voices a platform, and defending their rights. Their self-defense consists of education, organizing, cooperation, and armed units.
On January 6, 2026, the Syrian Transitional Government launched a war of aggression against the Autonomous Administration regions of North and East Syria. During this, on January 19, the cities of Ayn Issa and Sîrin were attacked, and the front line reached Kobanê. Since then, Kobanê has been surrounded. On one side is the Turkish border, and on the other are the Islamist forces of the Syrian Transitional Government, which are partly financed by the Turkish state.
In the surrounding rural areas, villages like Khirab Ashk are being heavily shelled by mercenary groups of the Syrian Transitional Government. The deaths of five people, including two children, are one of the painful consequences of the attacks. Fatima, a student at the university in Kobanê, lost part of her legs in this attack, which led to large student protests.
Since the beginning of the attacks, life in Kobanê has changed drastically. Tens of thousands of people have fled from rural areas to the city center, along with displaced persons from the overcrowded camps of Raqqa, Tabqa, and Girê Spî. There is an inability to provide for this many people. There is a shortage of shelter, heating fuel, and food. Many families are currently finding temporary accommodation in empty schools, unused shops, or even in makeshift shelters in vehicles. Schools are closed due to a lack of electricity and the need to house displaced people. 72,000 students are unable to attend school because of the siege.
The power supply was deliberately cut on January 18: The line via Sirîn, which connects the Tişrîn Dam to Kobanê, was severed by troops of the transitional government. This also cut off the water supply. Of 15 pumping stations, only one is still functioning. Power was only restored a few days ago. Diesel fuel is in short supply everywhere – for heating, for the bakery to bake bread, and hospitals are struggling to keep operating with meager reserves. Hospitals are generally overcrowded, and supplies of medications for respiratory illnesses, anesthetics, diabetes and high blood pressure medication, and oxygen are completely depleted. At the Turkish border, where tanks and heavy weapons are stationed, trucks carrying aid supplies were held up for days, preventing them from reaching Kobanê.
It was under these circumstances that I met Hamile.
Hamile lives in Kobani, fought against ISIS in 2014, and continues to fight for women’s rights and a free life. Back then, while still breastfeeding her daughter, Halime joined the internal security forces. Even before the fighting ended, she left the city in 2014, like many others. She went to Turkey and became involved with the HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party). There, she was arrested for her political activities in Turkey and tracked down by the secret service. She was charged, sentenced to 24 years in prison, and forced to flee to northern Syria, to the liberated city of Kobanê.
Today, Halime is the chairwoman of the women’s organization “Sara,” which works with women who have experienced violence. Under the current conditions, the women cannot carry out their work at Sara, which is a serious attack on the achievements of the women’s revolution. Hamile says:
“In Kobanê, not only was ISIS defeated, but in Kobanê, women rebelled against the patriarchy and began a revolution.”
But women like Halime, who stand up for other women, their rights, and family laws, are a thorn in the side of misogynistic and fascist ideologies.
As a result, Halime became the target of a Turkish drone attack in April 2024. This attack demonstrated once again how strategically and brutally the Turkish state attacks women’s empowerment.
Hamile still feels the effects of the attack today. She still requires medical care, which is currently lacking in Kobanê.
In a strong voice, she says:
“My health is bad, I feel ill, and I can’t go to the doctor. The roads are blocked, we are under siege, and the situation at home isn’t good either. The embargo must end so I can receive medical care.”
Despite her health problems, Halime appears very determined. Fatigue is a luxury she cannot afford. She recounts how the women of Kobanê are organizing themselves during this current phase of the attack:
“During the siege, women are playing an active role in protecting their neighborhoods. Older women are organizing to defend their districts. They stand behind the YPJ and YPG fighters. Women who are no longer able to take up arms themselves are providing the fighters with food. Because in such a situation, our fighters must not go hungry. The women are organizing themselves and doing what needs to be done, without backing down even once.”
The society in Kobanê acts based on experience. The population knows that the success of the resistance lies in the people’s ability to act. Therefore, the communal organization of the people is at the heart of the revolution.
Halime herself is on the streets day and night:
“I don’t stay at home. I’m on the street, going from house to house, visiting people. I protect the neighborhood. Until morning, we keep watch, protect our country, and support the YPG and YPJ. We continue our work; women don’t stay at home, everyone contributes.”
In acute phases of attack, women’s armed self-defense takes precedence. Women who work in women’s organizations or institutions must reduce their regular work during such periods.
“As Mala Jin, as the Sara organization, as Kongra Star – we all contribute to the defense and protection of our neighborhood, our city, and the women. Everyone stands behind the YPJ and YPG, and everyone has become part of the military defense of their city.”
Women face a double burden in war. The women of Kobanê are actively building structures to counter the humanitarian crisis. At the same time, they must organize and provide for their families.
“We are now starting a campaign for the displaced. We are visiting them first. Those who came to Kobanê from Raqqa, Sirrin, Ayn Issa, Tabqa, Sheihk Maqsoud, and Ashrefiye. We are starting with them now. They are mostly housed in schools. We are visiting them and trying to learn about the situation of the women and children and how to protect them.”
I follow Halime’s powerful words with deep respect. It is the women who hold society together, even in times like these. It is the women who, despite the most difficult circumstances, still recognize the danger and organize themselves. Finally, I ask Halime what she would like to tell the world.
“My message as a woman, as a woman from Kobanê, to our friends in other countries is this: Let us follow the resistance of Şehîd Arin Mirkan, the resistance of the YPJ and YPG. Let us follow those who fought 24 hours a day on the front lines against ISIS in Rojava. Let us end the siege of Kobanê.”
Jin – Jiyan – Azadi
