Women take to the streets across North and East Syria

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, demonstrations have taken place in numerous cities in Northern Syria. In all activities, attention was drawn to the Kurdish politician Havrin Khalaf, who was murdered by Turkey’s savage mercenaries, and to other women who were brutally killed during the military invasion of Turkey launched on 9 October. The demonstrators called for an immediate end to the Turkish occupation and drew attention to the misogynistic dimension of the war of aggression in violation of international law.

DİRBÊSİYÊ

In the Dirbêsiyê city, hundreds of women marched under the motto “Violence is invasion! Defeat invasion and fascism with the resistance of Hevrin’s”.

Speaking at the rally, Syrian Women’s Council Spokeswoman Lina Berekat saluted all the women of the world who are giving a struggle.

Zeynep Murad on behalf of the Kongreya Star Hesekê Canton Administration stated that the Turkish invasion army and allied mercenaries targeted women deliberately.

HESEKÊ

The march organised by Kongreya Star was joined by hundreds of women who saluted the Honor Resistance and the struggle of women.

Kongreya Star Coordination Member Hêva Erebo said they were working with all their might to create an awareness of women. Denouncing the Turkish invasion campaign in violation of international law, Erebo condemned the silence of the international community in the face of attacks.

AIN ISSA

Women living in the Gire Spi (Tal Abyad) Canton gathered in the Ain Issa town and staged a march to mark November 25, which was followed by a rally on the M4 highway.

Speakers condemned the attacks of the Turkish forces and mercenaries, and the murder of Syrian Future Party Secretary General Hevrin Khalaf and YPJ fighter Renas.

KOBANÊ

Hundreds of people gathered at the Jina Azad (Free Woman) Square before staging a march which was followed by a rally at the Martyr Agit Square.

Kobanê Canton Kongreya Star Executive Member Nesra Xelîl urged the international community to act to stop the massacres and genocidal attacks against women and children.

SHADDADI

In Shaddadi town of the Heseke Canton, women staged a march with banners reading “Stop War, No to Violence against Women”.

Kongreya Star Member Rîhan Loqo pointed out the role of women in North and East Syria as the leading force in all areas and organisation of society against traditionalism.

MANBIJ

Many women joined the march in the Manbij city where they called on all women, also men, to raise their voices against any kind of violence.

ALEPPO

Hundreds of women and young people from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah neighborhoods of Aleppo joined the march with the motto “Rise up against Turkish invasion”.

DÊRIK

Women joined the rally in the Dêrik city with posters of the martyrs of the Honor Resistance and the Rojava Revolution.

Kongreya Star Spokeswoman Evîn Swêd stressed that the fascist Turkish state’s violence against women strengthened their determination to enhance the struggle.

GIRKÊ LEGÊ

In the city of Girkê Legê, women condemned the invasion and genocidal attacks of the Turkish state and allied mercenaries as they marched to the house of Mother Aqide who was murdered by the occupation forces in Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ain).

TIL HEMÎS

In Til Hemîs district of Qamishlo, women remembered Hevrin Khalaf who was brutally murdered by the Turkish-backed Ahrar al-Sharqiya gangs, and YPJ fighter Amara Renas whose dead body was mutilated.

TIL BERAK

Women in Til Berak vowed to follow in the footsteps of the women who fight on the front line against the Turkish state and ISIS gangs. They called on women of the world to raise their voices in order for Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan to be brought to justice fort he war crimes he is responsible for.

QAMISHLO

Thousands of women marked November 25 with photos of Sakine Cansız, Leyla Şaylemez, Fidan Doğan and Hevrin Khalaf. They denounced the Turkish state’s efforts to break the will of women who have made great sacrifices and paid a heavy price in the revolution of Rojava.

AMÛDÊ

Hundreds of women took to the streets in Amûde and expressed their reaction to the Turkish genocidal campaign to invade North-East Syria and vowed to resist until achieving victory.

TIRBESPIYÊ

In the Tirbespiyê district, women remembered the martyrs of the Turkish invasion campaign and commended the resistance mounted against it.

Syrian Democratic Council (MSD or SDC) Co-chair Emine Umer saluted the struggle against violence against women, an act of the male-dominant mentality from past to present.

Umer pointed out that women’s resistance has gained a new dimension following the 19 July 2012 revolution, saying; “Women fight for freedom, equality and democracy. With great sacrifices, they have organised in all processes and triumphed over the reactionary mindset. Women have fought against all terrorist and fascist gangs. The incidents experienced in North and East Syria since the beginning of attacks constitute a deliberate way of violence against women.”

TABQA

Hundreds of women remembered the martyrs of the Honor Resistance against Turkish invasion as they condemned violence against women.

RAQQA

A large number of women joined the march in the Raqqa city and protested against violence and invasion.

Syrian Women’s Council Member Suhêl Mihemed said that the Turkish state and allied gangs were targeting women for all the world to see, and called on all women to stand against violence.

DEIR EZ-ZOR

The march to mark November 25 in Kisra town of Deir ez-Zor was joined by hundreds of women who denounced the violence perpetrated by the occupation forces against women in all areas invaded by the Turkish army together with savage gangs.

HAJIN

A meeting was held in Hajin town of Deir ez-Zor with the participation of women also from Baghouz, Shefa and Abu Hassan. The meeting witnessed an evaluation of the developments in the region.

SHEHBA

Thousands of women from Afrin and Shehba cantons rallied in the village of Til Qerah under the motto “Violence is invasion! Defeat invasion and fascism with the resistance of Hevrin’s”.

The march to the Serdem Camp took place with banners and slogans commending the struggle of women and condemning the invasion of Rojava by the Turkish army and allied gangs.

Our will is stronger than your violence, said women who called for increased struggle against the terror and invasion in the region.