The General Command of the Women's Defense Units (Yekîneyên Parastina Jinê-YPJ) issued a statement to mark the 11th anniversary of the Rojava Revolution.

The statement said: “The peoples' understanding of revolution in the lands of Northern and Eastern Syria has created a new life under the leadership of women. While the region was in crisis because of the Baath regime and the policies of the hegemonic powers, the opportunity to determine their own destiny as a people arose. On this basis, we decided to establish a democratic confederalism system. To do so, we struggled and we defended our lands from the attacks carried out by the invaders and we fought the policies of genocide. We liberated our territories one by one, with our own strength and belief in free life, without relying on other forces.”

The YPJ continued: “In all the revolutions that have taken place in the world, the interests of peoples and societies have not been defended to the end. But since the Northern and Eastern Syrian Revolution was based on an ecological, democratic and free women's society, the phenomenon of revolution in our lands achieved its meaning on the basis of its own nature. In line with this principle, the YPJ boldly assumed the responsibility for the free future of its own society as the dominant force. The inclusion of women in the YXK-YPG from the very beginning played a decisive role in the organization of women and peoples, but also gave the defense forces a correct route to represent the interests of the peoples with the right style and methods. Of course, the YPJ has become a model as it is part of the defense forces.”

The YPJ added: “With the Northern and Eastern Syrian Revolution, women once again regained the meaning of their existence that had been taken away by the dominant male for millennia. It put up a relentless struggle against all kinds of invasions and attacks within the framework of legitimate defense, from the organization of the people to their education, to the military development of women. The YPJ fighters defended the identity, existence, language, culture and free will of their own people on the battlefield. For this reason, the Rojava Revolution achieved its true meaning with the YPJ.”

The YPJ “will continue its struggle as a dominant force against all policies of encroachment and destruction against the free will of our people, relentlessly and uninterruptedly, - said the statement, adding: “We have left behind these 11 years of great struggle, resistance, heroism and self-sacrificing spirit. Of course, our people have always been with us on this revolutionary journey. It was the unity of the peoples that made the revolution happen. For this reason, the spirit of unity of the peoples will play a decisive role in the continuation and permanence of the Rojava Women's Revolution.

Many of our valuable commanders and warriors gave their lives for the Rojava Women's Revolution. The YPJ will continue our struggle for the permanence of the revolution.”