On 11 February 2024, the Turkish state launched an attack on the Federation of Veterans of North and East Syria (FGBRS), resulting in the killing of war veterans Sorxwîn Rojhilat and Azadî Dêrik. In accordance with her will, martyr Sorxwîn was laid to rest in Kobanê, while martyr Azadî was buried in Dêrik (Rojava).

Martyr Sorxwîn Rojhilat was a representative of the Women's Freedom Movement (Tevgera Azadiyê ya Jinan) and remained steadfast in her struggle, following in the footsteps of her comrades until her last breath.

Azadî Dêrik, from the very beginning of the Rojava Revolution, played a leading role in the revolutionary people's war as a pioneering commander in the fight for freedom. Şîlan Kobanê, a member of the Federation of Veterans of North and East Syria, spoke to ANF on the occasion of the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Sorxwîn Rojhilat and Azadî Dêrik.

Şîlan Kobanê recalled meeting Commander Sorxwîn during the 2014 Battle of Kobanê and said: "Following Leader Apo’s [Abdullah Öcalan] call for mobilization, comrade Sorxwîn crossed from Botan to Rojava, arriving in Kobanê. She took part in the Kobanê resistance. That war was extremely difficult. Comrade Sorxwîn served as a commander in that battle. Her strength, morale, enthusiasm, and determination gave courage to her comrades even in the most challenging moments of the war. During those difficult days, when the occupying forces heavily supported the ISIS gangs, carrying the burden of war as a female commander and representing the Women’s Freedom Movement was no easy task. However, comrade Sorxwîn fulfilled this duty with unmatched courage and her unwavering Apoist identity. She displayed the highest level of resistance against the gangs. Comrade Sorxwîn formed a deep and powerful bond with her comrades, always radiating the warmth of true companionship wherever she was."

Şîlan Kobanê continued: "Comrade Sorxwîn was wounded towards the end of 2014. After that, I had the opportunity to know her better and fight alongside her. Despite her injuries, she never lost her spirit. She used to say, ‘No matter what we do for Kobanê, it will never be enough. Even if we all fall as martyrs, we must liberate Kobanê.’ Thanks to the belief, determination, and struggle of comrade Sorxwîn and comrades like her, we liberated Kobanê. On this occasion, I respectfully commemorate all our comrades who were martyred in the Kobanê war. We fought together, and comrade Azadî was also with us. When it came to educating and motivating our comrades, we took comrade Sorxwîn as our example. She was always striving to uplift her fellow fighters and guide them forward. Later, she took part in the work of the Federation of Veterans of North and East Syria, where she provided morale and strength to the veterans. Through her perspectives and approach, she worked tirelessly to make us more active in the struggle. As women veterans, comrade Sorxwîn will always be our guide in the fight for freedom. We will continue her struggle until the very end. We will never let her weapon fall to the ground."

We will resist until the dreams of our martyrs are realized

Şîlan Kobanê emphasized that Martyr Azadî was deeply committed to her people, Abdullah Öcalan, and the party. She said: "Commander Azadî deeply loved her comrades. She was always striving to expand the Women's Freedom Movement and firmly believed that women should be at the forefront of resistance and struggle. One of comrade Azadî’s primary goals was to ensure that all women became conscious of Leader Apo’s philosophy. Of course, it is impossible to sum up the lives, personalities, struggles, and resistance of comrades Sorxwîn and Azadî in just a few words. 

On the anniversary of their martyrdom, I once again remember our comrades with love and gratitude. Both were martyred in an attack by the occupying Turkish state, but their fighting spirit remains with us. We have never forgotten them, and we never will. Their presence continues to give us strength. We are honored to have known and fought alongside comrades Sorxwîn and Azadî. As long as we breathe, we will always hold their flag high and continue their struggle. We will never stop resisting until we build the free and democratic country they dreamed of."