The social defense forces in Rojava protect and organize their neighborhoods. Women play an important role in this. Semîra Şûkrî from Qamişlo says, "As mothers, we don't let anyone intimidate us."
In view of the daily attacks on the autonomous region of northern and eastern Syria, civilian defense is becoming increasingly important. The HPC (Social Defense Forces, ku. Hêzên Parastina Civakî) are on duty day and night to protect their country on a military and social level. HPC member Semîra Şûkrî spoke to ANF in Qamişlo about her work and the role of women in defending society.
"As mothers, we will not be intimidated even if the whole world is against us. The attacks cannot break our will," said Semîra Şûkrî. She notes that the mothers from Rojava are also ready to fight on the front lines. What is important for them, she adds, is to protect women's rights and defend their people, their culture, their children and their neighborhoods. "When we defend women's rights and society, we also protect our country."
The prerequisite for this is self-confidence, i.e. trust in one's own ability and the strength of society, explains Semîra Şûkrî, adding: "I am a mother and have this self-confidence, which is why I am in the HPC. With our work, we relieve the people's and women's defense units. In the evenings, we keep watch on the streets. Each neighborhood provides its own security. The YPG and YPJ will never fall because the mothers are behind them."
For the peoples of northern and eastern Syria, organizing according to the strategy of "revolutionary people's war" is vital, says Semîra Şûkrî and continues, “Society must be prepared for war at all times. In this respect, the people's revolutionary war also means a rebellion against the fate imposed on people. We are ready for all tasks that come our way. I am proud to take part in social defense. It is a great honor to defend one's country. All mothers can become active in the HPC. You don't have to participate in the war or stand guard at the border in the process. It's enough to protect, organize and educate your own neighborhood."
In this context, Semîra Şûkrî also refers to the attempted storming of Sina Prison in Hesekê in January, during which numerous Islamists infiltrated the surrounding neighborhood: "The importance of the HPC was confirmed there. The HPC did their job and protected their district."
