Newroz Ehmed, a member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) General Command, said that they would ensure women's freedom through solidarity, and make women's freedom and freedom of society possible.

Newroz Ehmed answered ANF's questions about how they leave the year 2022 behind and welcome the new year. We publish the first part of the interview.

2022 has been another year full of struggle for the YPJ. To what extent and how did you carry out this struggle?

Although there were no intensive attacks, our struggle increased more efficiently compared to previous years. At the beginning of the year, ISIS attacked Xiweran. Their attacks continued until the end of the year. Although there were not as many violent attacks as compared to previous years, small attacks paved the way for great dangers in the region. Because the attack on Xiwêran was an attempt to revive the ISIS caliphate. It was large-scale and well organized. It was organized in many places, both internally and externally. So, we were faced with a dangerous process. Planning was also underway for the Hol Camp. With the operations we launched during the year, their plans were prevented to a certain extent. They were brought under control, albeit partially, but the danger still remains.

The Turkish state also carried out a comprehensive attack. Of course, there were drone attacks, but this year airstrikes took place for the first time. Not only military forces, but also civilian people and places where the needs of the people are provided despite the siege have been targeted. The attacks were carried out in front of the world and the international community remained silent. The region was subjected to repeated attacks. The economic crisis and the forced displacement of the people living under siege once again led to the introduction of the policy of depopulating the region. This was the main purpose of the aggression. There was an increase in ISIS attacks simultaneously with the Turkish attacks. Political leaders, administrators and people in the region were assassinated. The stance and attitude of the people and our forces in the face of the attacks were valuable and meaningful. It was a response to how our achievements should be protected. Despite our limited means, persistence in the struggle remained decisive.

HEAVY PRICES PAID

Inevitably, there were also difficulties in our struggle against the revival attempts of ISIS, the threats and attacks of the Turkish state, and the turmoil caused by their attacks in the region. It was not an easy task to carry out a struggle amid all the attacks, threats and chaos. It may be easy for some states, but considering the current situation in the region, it is possible to continue this struggle, to make it permanent, to ensure the safety of the people - of course, this is being done already –our opportunities are not as broad as other states. Despite the limited opportunities, a strong stance and participation was achieved, willpower was manifested, and success was achieved under repeated attacks and threats. Of course, we paid heavy prices. During this year, approximately 400 of our comrades, apart from children, young people, women and civilians, were martyred. Our losses were not small, but it was a successful year during which we also strengthened our defence mechanism.

The YPJ played a leading role during this process. The YPJ has led the resistance against attacks and threats since the Xiwêran attack, and has been at the forefront of military campaigns and operations. YPJ has not compromised on its leading role in fulfilling duties and responsibilities, despite the losses of our leading female comrades who were lost in targeted attacks. It was an important achievement. We will defend these lands with the confidence of the people in the military forces. People’s support was very meaningful and important. In the coming year, we need stronger steps in order to maintain our duties and responsibilities even better based on the experience that we have gained.

Many YPJ commanders, including Jiyan Tolhildan, who took a leading role in the war against ISIS, were targeted and martyred in the attacks of the Turkish state. How do you evaluate the constant targeting of leading figures in this year's attacks?

It was a planned and conscious policy of the Turkish state. The attacks against prominent fighters aimed to make society weak by causing schism among the military forces and the people, to put the forced displacement policy into effect, and to spread fear and disbandment within the military forces. They were attacks aiming to avenge ISIS. Many of our comrades who were targeted by the Turkish attacks were leading the fight against ISIS. By targeting the leading fighters, Turkey wanted to dismantle the military structure, weaken its will, and break the resistance. Not only our commanders, but also our young girls and their schools were targeted. They are killing our future by targeting our young people. They are killing a free life and future.

PEOPLE DID NOT COMPROMISE ON THE STRUGGLE

After the leading commanders were lost in targeted attacks, hundreds of others prepared themselves, embracing the experience obtained from them. In this sense, our people maintained an important stance against attacks. Instead of fear and uneasiness, people stayed committed to their land, strengthening their loyalty. The recent attack is proof of this. People were decisive, and did not compromise on the struggle, emphasizing that they would not leave their land. People are now aware that they insist on a free life and slavery is a meaningless life. By protecting their values and land, people embraced the military forces stronger and overcame deficiencies. We saw how numerous young people joined our forces during the mobilization process. People took part in the struggle by taking over the weapons of martyrs. This level of participation was valuable and meaningful. This was the first time that the Turkish state carried out such a large-scale attack. And, our people’s response was; ‘you can't intimidate us, you can't make us take a step back’.