The General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) announced the martyrdom of one of their commanders, Hevi Umud, as a result of an aerial attack by the Turkish state.

According to the statement, the YPJ commander was brutally targeted by a Turkish drone and lost her life while heading to Shengal (Sinjar) to participate in the ceremony commemorating the liberation of the city on November 10.

The YPJ obituary for the fallen YPJ commander includes the following:

“We extend our deepest condolences to the honorable and patriotic family of our comrade, to our noble people, and to all our comrades. Our struggle for freedom, which began with great passion, will undoubtedly lead to victory, following in the footsteps of our leader Hevi and all the martyrs.

The occupying Turkish state, suffering defeat on all fronts and fearing the collapse of its fascist regime, is attacking our people, the leaders of our movement, and our free fighters with various brutal methods. The fascist Erdogan-Bahçeli regime, having lost control due to the downfall of its fascism, is attempting to preserve its existence by killing Kurdish, Assyrian, Armenian, Arab, and Yazidi peoples.

As the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), we have confronted these attacks with great faith and determination since our establishment. From now on, we will stand as a steel shield against all forms of genocide and occupation. We have sacrificed thousands of martyrs to protect free life and the safety and stability of our regions in northern and eastern Syria. These tremendous sacrifices were not solely for the protection of the peoples in northeastern Syria but also for safeguarding all the peoples of the Middle East and the world.

The Women’s Protection Units have led this historic path in northern and eastern Syria and across the Middle East. Through their struggle against ISIS, the YPJ fighters have highlighted the reality of the sacrifices made by the women of the Freedom Era for all of humanity. In this historic journey, our people and patriotic families have continuously offered great sacrifices for freedom, dignity, and noble human values. Among them is the family of our leader and symbol of the freedom struggle, Hevi Umud, who cultivated in their hearts and spirits a profound love for the homeland and a passion for freedom.

Our leader Hevi, whose real name is Saadiya Ahmed, was born in 1980 in Qamishlo and joined the ranks of freedom following the international conspiracy against Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) in 1999. Hevi was one of the Kurdish women who rejected the fabricated conspiracy against Leader Apo and joined the guerrilla forces.

Leader Hevi advanced her skills in guerrilla strategy and tactics, shaping her personality according to the Apoist philosophy and the struggle for women’s freedom. After many years of persistent struggle in the mountains of Kurdistan, she moved to the revolutionary field of Rojava and participated in numerous campaigns to liberate areas in northeastern Syria from ISIS terrorism.

For 23 years of struggle, comrade Hevi lived a meaningful life filled with relentless effort for a free and dignified life. She fought in the areas of legitimate defense for many years, leaving a historic mark on her revolutionary journey. She carried out her duties to perfection within the ranks of the Women’s Protection Units. Every moment of her life and struggle reflected her commitment to revolutionary methods to protect the Kurdish people and all oppressed peoples.

In every field she fought, she fostered profound love and strong bonds in the hearts of her comrades and her people through her sincerity, loyalty, and heroic stance. Wherever she was, she left a significant impact. With her selfless personality brimming with enthusiasm and longing for freedom, she became a model of unwavering and unconditional dedication. Her purity, honesty, innocence, and natural essence were integral to her identity as a woman. She embodied the true essence of free humanity, a warrior woman, and a genuine leader for humanity and all women fighting for freedom.

As the Women’s Protection Units, we vow to follow in the footsteps of our martyrs until we achieve a free tomorrow for our people and all of humanity. We will always honor the sacrifices and efforts of our righteous martyrs, raising the banner of freedom high in the skies of our homeland.”

The identity information of the fallen YPJ commander is as follows:

Name and Surname: Saadiya Ahmed

Nom de Guerre: Hevi Umud

Mother’s Name: Safiya

Father’s Name: Mohammed

Place and Date of Martyrdom: Shengal, 10/11/2024