23 March 2019 is the date when ISIS's territorial integrity in Syria ended. The day Baghouz, the last stronghold of ISIS, was liberated. Peace and security in the city, liberated by the great resistance and sacrifice of YPG and YPJ fighters, are well established by now.

Baghouz’s Martyr Selim El Abd Alla Civil Council co-chairs, Madlin Abdurrahman and Salim Muhammed Xelef, spoke to ANF on the second anniversary of the city's liberation from ISIS mercenaries.

Salim Muhammed Xelef said: “We have been subjected to a lot of cruelty and oppression by ISIS mercenaries. Most of the Baghouz people had to migrate from their lands due to ISIS persecution. Baghouz was emptied, almost only families of ISIS mercenaries stayed here. Most of the people returned to their lands after SDF fighters liberated the city on 23 March 2019. By now, 45 thousand people live in the region.”

Stating that following the Baghouz victory, on 1 January 2020 the Baghouz Martyr Selim Al Abd Alla Civil Council was established, Salim Muhammed added: “The municipality was established and the repair work started in the city quickly. Great efforts were made to meet the needs of the people who returned to the region after the victory. There are currently 18 communes in our region. The commune is trying to be a solution to the problems of the people. The co-chairmanship system has been developed. There is a co-chair system in every commune and institution. Women participated in all the works carried out. We are very happy with this situation.”

Salim Muhammed Xelef added: “At the moment, trust and peace prevail in the region. There are 8-9 Arab tribes in Baghouz and we all live together in peace.”

Xelef underlined that “23 March is the date of rebirth for us. Dozens of SDF fighters sacrificed themselves for the liberation of these lands. We owe them so much. We will further strengthen this victory achieved as a result of their struggle."

Co-chair Madlin Abdurrahman said that women could do nothing while ISIS mercenaries ruled in Baghouz.

“Women couldn't even get out of their house. – she said – They were subjected to violence and persecution by ISIS. Now we are free and we can express ourselves in the society. Women take great strength from this situation."

Abdurrahman added: “I remember and pay tribute to all the martyrs and fighters who made the liberation possible. We will further enlarge this success and the unity achieved as a result of great costs in the future."