Veterans have lost various parts of their bodies during the resistance against the invasion attacks that have been going on since 2012 in North-East Syria. There are also veterans whose condition is more severe, who miss their legs or arms or are with no sight at all, unable to meet even their basic needs.

FEDERATION’S PURPOSE

The purpose of the federation is to provide health services, treatment for war veterans as well as psychological assistance, mental and physical restoration. The federation carries out its activities with the help of departments organized by individuals, federations and public organizations. The federation may also engage in economic activities. It organizes vocational training for its members and seeks to establish relations with external institutions for assistance and communication purposes.

ORGANIZATION IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH ASSOCIATIONS

Although the North and East Syria Veterans Federation was formed on January 28, 2020, its activities have been going on for 6 years under the name Rojava Veterans. The Rojava Veterans established committees for the first time in Hesekê in 2015 and in Qamishlo in 2017. Afterwards, its activities expanded into Kobanê, Tabqa, Manbij, Girê Spî, Afrin, Reqa, Aleppo and Shehba. A conference that the veterans, who were organized in most of North-East Syria, had planned to hold in 2018, took place in Rimelan on June 1, 2019, due to the Turkish invasion attack on Afrin. Even though the veterans decided to establish an association at this conference, they had to delay its announcement due to the Turkish attacks on Serêkaniyê and Girê Spî. After the federation was announced, its first association was formed in Qamişlo by the name of "Berdilê Jiyana Azad" and the second association was formed in Hesekê by the name of "Tîrêjen Azadiyê". Afterwards, further associations started to operate in Raqqa, Kobanê and Shehba. In Deir ez-Zor and Şedade, more associations are in the foundation phase.

International institutions and organizations, aid organizations and public institutions can become members of the North and East Syria Veterans Federation.

TRAINING WORKSHOPS

The North and East Syria Veterans Federation has four main academies in the region. It has introduced Kurdish, Arabic and English languages, technical education workshops, as well as ideological and philosophical workgroups in all cities in the region.

PHYSIOTHERAPY AND PROSTHESIS CENTER

The Federation has physiotherapy centres in Rimêlan, Derik, Çilaxa, Deir ez-Zor and Reqa. However, there is a lack of specialist doctors and treatment materials in these physiotherapy centres. Hand, foot and eye prostheses are made in the region through the help of Heyva Sor a Kurdistan within the bounds of limited possibilities. The Federation which has currently focused on academy activities may fall short of dealing with the health problems of war veterans because of the war and the embargo.