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Dear friends,
We are reaching out with the latest news from Rojava, the heart of the women’s revolution.
Life in Rojava reflects our reality – life is political. Society is constantly alert and engages in political discussions at every opportunity. The exchange and sharing of knowledge and news are part of the culture. We follow this tradition and report on current events and ongoing debates.
Suweida
Since the self-declared president al-Sharaa came to power in Damascus, attacks on the Druze minority in Suweida have repeatedly occurred.
The Druze are a religious community in the Middle East. Worldwide, there are about one million Druze, the majority living in Syria, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon. Although the Druze faith is strongly influenced by Shia Islam, especially Ismaili traditions, the differences are significant enough for it to be considered a distinct religion rather than a branch of Islam. The Druze often interpret the Quran differently from Sunnis and Shias. They belong to the Abrahamic religions – like Islam, Christianity, and Judaism – but do not identify as Muslims.
Since the attacks by the transitional government, many people have been injured and killed. Currently, 125 people from Suweida are still reported missing, including at least one child and 29 elderly people.
At the same time, resistance from the population continues. Mothers of the abducted and missing protested in Karama Square. They continue to demand clarification about the fate of their sons and their immediate release. A vigil was also organized in support of the families of detained civilians.
“Enforced disappearance is a crime against humanity and a bleeding wound in every home.”
Nadia Saray al-Din reports that her son, a content creator, was in Lebanon and was arrested while returning to Syria after the July 2025 massacres in the Al-Matuna region. She stated that he only carried his camera and produced content to help people and provide humanitarian support. She also demands clarification and his release.
Al-Sharaa at the Diplomacy Forum in Antalya
This week, the Diplomacy Forum is taking place in Antalya, Turkey, with representatives from 150 countries attending. The forum is organized by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in line with the Turkish government’s interests. Discussions focus on strategic steps for maintaining power and implementing economic goals.
Syrian transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa commented on Syria’s integration process on the sidelines of the forum, stating that it is proceeding “according to plan.”
A key point of his remarks was close cooperation with Turkey. Al-Sharaa described relations as a “strategic partnership” and referred to shared political and economic interests. He did not address Turkey’s role in northern Syria or its ongoing military presence.
He also outlined economic prospects for Syria, stating that the country should function as an “energy and trade route” between different regions in the future. In this context, he also mentioned planned projects with regional partners.
Israel, Turkey, and Syria
The United States is attempting to align Israel and Turkey regarding Syria in order to promote a broader alliance between Damascus, Ankara, and Tel Aviv in the long term. Both states are strategically important but pursue different goals:
Turkey is waging wars of aggression against the Kurdish population and the autonomous administration. Therefore they support a strong, centralized leadership under al-Sharaa that concentrates as much power as possible. Israel, on the other hand, remains distrustful of the regime and its surrounding power structures despite occasional concessions, and rejects excessive centralization. Instead, it prefers a fragmented structure to maintain its influence.
Despite these differences, the US is working to encourage cooperation – also because it is considered crucial for Israel and Western states to use forces such as HTS against Iran and allied Shiite militias. At the same time, the actors involved are united in their short-term cooperation, despite differing hegemonic strategies, in order to weaken alternative political projects such as Rojava.
Iran continues attacks on Rojhilat
Iran continues its attacks on forces from Rojhilat in Southern Kurdistan. Three Peshmerga fighters were killed in missile and drone strikes on PDKI structures.
The Kurdistan Women’s Community (KJK) strongly condemned the attacks and placed them within a broader political context. In a statement, the Kurdish women’s movement links these attacks to a wider system of violence against Kurds and women.
It is emphasized that the targeted forces had not carried out any military actions against Iran, and the attacks are therefore seen as a deliberate strategy against the political existence of Kurdish structures. The KJK calls on Tehran to stop the attacks and instead engage in dialogue with Kurdish forces and recognize their status.
Democratic Nation – Neslihan Şidal
“A people that does not develop self-administration faces an existential problem, becomes vulnerable to fragmentation, and weakens itself,” says Neslihan Şidal, mayor of Van.
Self-administration has been a fundamental condition for the survival of societies since the beginning of humanity. Originally, women played a leading role, but with the rise of patriarchal systems, they were excluded from decision-making processes. Today, especially in Rojava, women are once again actively participating in self-administration and playing a central role.
Self-administration means that people determine their own living conditions, recognize their needs, and develop their own solutions. It is closely linked to democracy, as real democracy only exists when all social groups participate in decision-making with their identity and voice.
At the same time, the system of capitalist modernity leads to societies being alienated from self-administration. Without it, the existence of a people is endangered. The example of the Kurds shows how, despite strong social values, they have long been denied the right to self-governance.
However, self-administration does not mean the division of a state, but can strengthen it through broad participation. The concept of the “democratic nation” describes a society that organizes itself and is pluralistic in nature.
Women’s participation plays a central role: without it, real democracy is not possible. Models such as the co-chair system and communal structures (councils, communes) demonstrate how equal participation can be implemented in practice.
The goal is a free, democratic society in which all people – especially women – actively participate in governance and decision-making.
Gülistan Doku
Violence against women, accompanied by impunity, is steadily increasing. The Women’s Council of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) cites cases such as Gülistan Doku and Rojin Kabaiş.
In both cases, state structures and institutional failures hinder the investigation. “The manipulation of evidence and the use of political influence further worsen the situation,” a spokesperson stated.
In the case of student Gülistan Doku, who has been missing for over six years in Dersim, new arrest warrants have been issued. Several relatives and the ex-boyfriend of the missing woman were arrested and mostly detained after questioning. Protests took place outside the courthouse, while police prevented direct confrontations.
At the same time, former governor Tuncay Sonel was arrested and transferred to Erzurum; investigations are reportedly being conducted comprehensively.
The case has long been seen as a symbol of a lack of accountability by the responsible authorities. The recent developments are viewed as the result of sustained public pressure and the efforts of the family and women’s movement.
Serêkaniyê
Many displaced people are able to return to their homes after lengthy negotiations and under appropriate security measures. In Afrin, hundreds of people have already arrived and are beginning to rebuild their lives. Returns to Serêkaniyê are also currently being prepared.
However, during the return of several families to their hometown of Serêkaniyê, the group came under fire from a Turkish military outpost. On Thursday, displaced residents from the village of Erşê had attempted to return to their homes via the road between Til Temir and Serêkaniyê.
This attack by the Turkish state once again highlights a strategy of using fear, violence, and insecurity to prevent people from returning and to make it more difficult for them to live in dignity.
And with that, we send you revolutionary greetings from Rojava.
