Dear friends,
Political, humanitarian and economic challenges continue to shape everyday life in North and East Syria, whilst women and local communities are working to defend democratic achievements, protect women’s rights and strengthen the population’s participation in shaping the future.
Cereal harvest and field fires
In North and East Syria – a region predominantly characterised by agriculture – it is currently harvest time. Farmers and field workers, including women working on projects and in cooperatives within the women’s economy, are working day and night in the fields to bring in the grain and protect the fields and harvest from fires. In many regions around Qamishlo, Hesekê and Dêrik, large-scale field fires have broken out in recent weeks, destroying considerable areas of wheat and barley fields during the harvest season. The fires have caused severe losses to farmers, whilst fire crews and local communities are doing everything they can to contain the flames and protect the remaining agricultural land. There is great concern about the impact of these fires on food security and livelihoods. At the same time, the integration process is affecting income security. The prices set by the transitional government for purchasing the harvest are lower than in previous years. Despite this year’s harvest being good due to the weather conditions, many farmers can barely cover their investments with their yields.
Rising diesel prices and fuel shortages
The fuel crisis also persists in northern and eastern Syria. Rising diesel prices and a persistent fuel shortage are putting additional pressure on people’s daily lives and the agricultural sector. Public protests have taken place in several towns and regions, with residents demanding lower fuel prices and reliable access to diesel, and warning that the ongoing crisis is placing an increasing economic burden on local communities.
Forum on the YPJ and women’s rights
The Women’s Council of North and East Syria organised a forum under the slogan ‘We are all YPJ – the YPJ represents us’. Discussions centred on the history and role of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), women’s legitimate right to self-defence, and women’s rights in the context of Syria’s future constitution. The participants emphasised how important it is to recognise the role of women in defending society and to ensure their unrestricted participation in shaping Syria’s future.
Call for the safe return of displaced people from Serêkaniyê
Displaced people from Serêkaniyê held a protest rally in Hesekê, demanding the necessary conditions for a safe and dignified return to their homes and towns. The participants reaffirmed their right to return and called for concrete steps to end the ongoing displacement of thousands of families who continue to live in camps under difficult humanitarian conditions. Although the return of internally displaced persons is one of the most important agreements within the integration process, negotiations and preparations to make this possible continue to progress very slowly. One factor in this is Turkey, which to this day has taken no steps to withdraw completely from the occupied regions, including Afrin, Serekaniye and Gire Spi.
Strengthening women’s political participation
Kongra Star emphasised that the transitional phase in Syria requires the meaningful and equal participation of women in all political institutions and decision-making processes. The organisation warned that the current mechanisms for establishing state institutions risk marginalising women and undermining gender equality. It called for a democratic constitution that guarantees equal representation and urged Syrian women to strengthen their organisation and expand their political participation in order to defend their achievements and play a leading role in building Syria’s future.
And with that, we send revolutionary greetings from Rojava.
