Listen here to the daily update:
Dear friends, sisters and comrades,
Today is the 18th February and here is our daily update from Rojava, the heart of the women’s revolution, where right now humanity is being defended.
Integration continues
Since the ceasefire and integration agreement was reached between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Transitional Government on January 30th, we in Rojava have entered a crucial new phase. It is repeatedly emphasized that everything is now being done to ensure this agreement is implemented. So far, there have been positive steps, but the situation remains tense, and we must remain vigilant. Today, the integration of health institutions in Hesekeh began.
Return to Afrin
One point of the agreement promises all displaced people the right to return to their homes. Afrin is a particular focus. Nine years ago, the Kurdish population was expelled from there. Whenever we meet women from Afrin, they speak fondly of their homeland, which has everything from forests and water to mountains and sunshine. Now, 500 families are preparing for their return. However, this is not so simple, because since its occupation by the Syrian National Army, a Turkish mercenary group, the region has been controlled and inhabited by these mercenaries.
Arin Bakr, a member of the Women’s Council of Internally Displaced Persons from the Afrin and Shahba regions, says:
“In 2018, we women from Afrin were forced to flee. We chose to live in Shahba because we refused to live under the rule of the Turkish-occupied mercenaries. They inflicted great suffering on the city’s population and forced most of its people to flee.”
Kelistan Shahin, a Kurdish child displaced from Raqqa to Qamishli, expressed: “I want to return to my city because I love it very much. We do not trust the Syrian Transitional Government; we want the Syrian Democratic Forces to take responsibility for governance and protection. I want the Kurds to have their rights.”
Situation in Kobane
Kobane has now been under siege for 30 days – a whole month. It is unbelievable that all international governments and institutions are standing idly by.
I will also tell you about some incidents that were reported today from the Kobane region.
A family – father, mother, and five children – from a village near Kobane was kidnapped by an armed group linked to the Syrian Transitional Government. Their relatives quickly received pictures and threats. They are demanding a ransom of $35,000. This is not an isolated incident. Many families have experienced similar things in recent weeks. Even during the official ceasefire, attacks of this kind continue.
News also came from another village in the region that gangs affiliated with the government have demolished and looted houses.
A memorial was held in Kobane today for 12 more YPG and YPJ fighters who fell in the war in recent weeks. They were mourned by thousands, who continued their struggle with anger and determination to accompany them to their final resting place.
Diplomacy in Many Ways
Today, a delegation of Swedish politicians is visiting the Department of Foreign Relations of the Autonomous Administration. These meetings are part of the Autonomous Administration’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to strengthen communication with international partners and to raise awareness of political and humanitarian developments in the region.
However, they are not the only way. The diplomatic work of the institutions here in Rojava focuses primarily on what is known as “people’s diplomacy.” Since it is clear that states cannot be trustworthy partners of a self-organized revolutionary society, the most important thing is building relationships with other societies and their organizations. The World Women’s Conference, which took place in Bogotá, Colombia, from February 11-15 under the motto “We will flourish because war cannot uproot us,” is also part of this context. At conferences like these, bonds are forged between women’s organizations from around the world, which represent our form of diplomacy and self-defense.
Following the conference, the delegation from the women’s movement in Rojava is currently touring various countries, especially within Abya Yala (Latin America), to meet with other organizations and individuals.
Campaign in preparation for March 8th
Today, several hundred women from various institutions and society gathered, carrying a banner that read, “With Jin, Jiyan Azadî, we defend the achievements of the women’s revolution.” The Joint Platform of Activities, comprised of 29 women’s organizations in Rojava, announced the launch of a national and international campaign in the lead-up to March 8th. They are demanding that the achievements of the women’s revolution be enshrined in the new constitution. This includes, for example, the principle of co-chairmanship, a 50% quota for political offices, and guarantees that violations of these rules will be punished. Furthermore, the demand for security rights and equality for all population groups was emphasized.
The statement began by commemorating all the women who gave their lives in the struggle that brought the women’s revolution to this point. They said: “Our hearts are filled with pain and our souls burn with rage as we witness atrocities committed by members of groups affiliated with the transitional government.” In clear terms, they stated: “On the eve of International Women’s Day (March 8), which we observe with a spirit of resistance, not resignation, we announce from the heart of the struggle the launch of a major national and international campaign to escalate the fight in all spheres. We are not begging for our rights; rather, we are holding the international community and democratic forces accountable for their historical responsibility and presenting our demands as non-negotiable and urgent.” With this, they addressed all feminist movements and organizations worldwide.
In addition the organizations announced the program of activities for March 8, featuring marches, protest vigils, mass events, and online campaigns.
Just as we finished writing this message, a statement arrived from the delegation that recently met with Abdullah Öcalan on Imrali. In it, they reported that Abdullah Öcalan welcomed the signing of the new agreement and sees it as the beginning of the democratic integration phase. We will share further details with you soon.
With that in mind, we wish you strength and success in your preparations for March 8th. Let the voices of the women of Rojava be heard everywhere you go on March 8th as a source of strength and inspiration! Let us defend the women’s revolution together and take our struggle to a new international level!
