Sozdar Dêrik, a member of the YPJ (Women’s Defense Units) and SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) General Command, spoke to ANF on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the 19 July Rojava Revolution.

Sozdar Dêrik stated that the peoples, women and revolutionary forces have come to this day with their struggle and labour and that they have gained the will to govern themselves. “We may be subjected to further attacks in the coming periods or years. We must make the most of every moment. We must defend the values of revolution, young and old alike.”

Sozdar Dêrik started her speech by congratulating Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan, the martyrs of the revolution, comrades in the struggle, the people and all mothers on the 19 July Revolution and pointed out the importance of July for them. Dêrik said, “The fact that the Rojava Revolution took place in this month, and that July is the month of great resistance in the history of the freedom struggle, of course makes it much more meaningful. We also held the 4th YPJ conference in this month."

Remarking that the 19 July Revolution took place with women's labour and women's resistance, Sozdar Dêrik stated the following: "A revolution made by women never loses. A woman is the mother in society, she is also the one who embodies all the values of society and brings society into existence. In this sense, she constitutes the representation of society. The 19 July Revolution started in Kobanê with Comrade Jînda's cry for freedom. The revolution led by women has a very valuable meaning. It is about claiming one's own existence. Living in such a revolution for years requires great labour, sacrifice and resistance.

A revolutionary process, struggle and war continued without stopping even for a moment. Our people also participated in this process of revolution and struggle in the best way. Of course, there are still difficulties and shortcomings. No revolution has ever taken place without cost and pain. If we are looking for what is comfortable, we are fooling ourselves. The attacks against the revolution continue, as does the determination to resist and fight against this as on the first day. As a people and society, we cannot say that everything is complete. However, we know very well that we can overcome all the difficulties experienced. We have fought against gang organisations such as ISIS and al-Nusra, which attack the values of all humanity and want to destroy societies. They wanted to condemn the whole world to darkness. When people saw their flags, they ran away. Just their names were enough to instill fear in people. We fought against such a darkness and barbaric reality. For this reason, we are not a people who will escape from such difficulties and reality.

The most correct line, the most correct struggle, the greatest resistance in the Middle East was experienced on these lands. We do not underestimate the struggle of other peoples in the Middle East. Currently, many peoples living in the Middle East are still suffering a lot, being subjected to great injustice and oppression. They are also struggling. However, it should be well known that a revolution with a strong organisation and a populist strategy cannot be defeated. We have come to this day with the labour and struggle of our people. We have the will to govern ourselves. We need to protect this.

The only strategy of the forces against us today is aimed at the liquidation of this revolution. They see this revolution as their enemy. However, we have not declared anyone as an enemy, we have defended our values, our will and our lands. Our struggle will continue in the same way from now on. But we will not remain silent against any attack directed against us. We have relied on our own strength so far, which shows that our revolution has progressed successfully until today.

When we look at the examples in the world, we have seen especially in the case of Afghanistan that those who do not rely on their own strength and cannot create the power of solution in themselves lose. Since the administration, military command and the will of that people could not show the power and will to organise itself and turn itself into a power, it had to go back a hundred years. In order for us not to face such an end, in order for our people and peoples not to face attacks against their will, language, culture and values once again, we must embrace the revolution in every way. Of course, this can be achieved through struggle, resistance and trust in one's own strength.

We welcome July with enthusiasm, pride and celebrations. Especially as a military force, we proudly welcome July as a great symbol of resistance marching towards freedom and victory. It is an honour for us to share the values and gains created with the people. On this basis, as a military force, we pledge to protect these values. We may be subjected to further attacks in the coming periods or years.

In this sense, we must make the most of every moment. We must organise and prepare ourselves as if there would be an attack now. Everyone, young and old alike, must prepare themselves to protect the values of the revolution. We must celebrate our revolution in this spirit. However, if we do not have a strong organisation, the attacks against us might demoralise us. A great special war is being waged against us. On the one hand, Erdogan himself is running from here to there, on the other hand, he sends his foreign minister everywhere and wants to hold talks with many states.

All these efforts are aimed at liquidating the people's revolution, the values and achievements of the revolution. We will not allow this. Of course, we do not say this only for our own people. We are against any policy that is directed against all societies and peoples. We are not a party to the occupation of any country's territory; we are against it. In this sense, the necessary struggle will be fought for the protection of the whole world, peoples, the Middle East and Syria. We exist for this. We are the result of the struggle and resistance of all peoples, women, revolutionary forces. We are aware of this, and we will wage a strong struggle for this. On this basis, we congratulate all our people and the Syrian peoples on the 19 July Revolution. We will protect our people with stronger and bigger revolutions in the coming processes."