In a statement marking its 16th foundation anniversary, the women’s umbrella organization in North-East Syria, Kongreya Star, said: “As women of Rojava, we congratulate Öcalan who presented us all kinds of values for the freedom of women and society in the spirit of peace and freedom and democracy revolution which empowers women and is led by them.

The statement continued:

“We congratulate all our companions, the torches of our revolution, the symbols of our resistance and martyrs Sakine Cansiz, Bêritan, Zîlan, Leyla Agirî, Hevrin Xelef, Mother Aqide, Arin Mirkan, Zehra Berkil, Amara, Avesta and other immortals who fell as martyrs to carry the women’s freedom the highest level.

Kongreya Star was established in 2005 under challenging conditions. The foundation of our organization is an organizational reaction against the denial policies against Kurdish, Arab, Syriac women and their identity and history.

We have achieved many successes and made great achievements in our 16-year struggle. The revolution of 19 July paved the way for women and proved the political, moral, cultural, social, economic and military depth of Leader Abdullah Öcalan's philosophies and ideas.

With the massacre against our women comrades engaged in political action in the Helinc village of Kobanê, all women who demand a free life were targeted. With the voice of our revolution, we say that we will increase the struggle against all kinds of brutal attacks targeting us. We promise to follow the ideas and philosophy of our Leader until we build a revolutionary spirit, which is a response to all systematic attacks on our people, especially women.

We call on all women's organizations, human rights organizations to fulfil their duties to protect the rights of women who lead peace in the Middle East and the world, especially in Northern and Eastern Syria, and who struggle for democracy and freedom.”