On 20 January 2018, the Turkish state began its invasion of Afrin. Since then, a regime of expulsion and oppression has prevailed in the region. On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the invasion, the General Command of the Women's Defense Units (YPJ) declared: "On the 5th anniversary of the occupation of Afrin, we state that we will avenge our fallen with the patriotism of our people, we will fight in the spirit of the fallen of the Afrin resistance and the occupiers defeat in our country.”

The statement added: “Those who do not accept the will of the people, the enemies of democracy and freedom, seek to eliminate free land and the existence of a free society through genocide, massacre and occupation. The current threats and attacks by the Turkish occupying state against Rojava and Northern and Eastern Syria are the result of this murderous understanding of power.

Our people defend themselves against the invasion attacks and threats carried out by the Turkish state. Our people fight for freedom in the resistance areas. Our people, who on 19 November clearly showed their position against the Turkish state's air strikes, showed that they will defend their country and its revolution from Shehba to Kobane to Derik.”

The statement continued: “We are a defense force that embodies the power and will of our people. So we will continue our fight until there are no more occupiers anywhere. We promise our people, all our comrades who shed their blood in Afrin that we will not abandon our country to the invaders.”