The General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) released a statement announcing the martyrdom of one of their commanders, Arşîn Hisên (Ronahi Yekta), calling her “one of the unparalleled heroic leaders in the history of the resistance at Tishrin Dam and Qara Qozak against the Turkish-backed mercenary organizations.”

Remarking that the fallen YPJ commander fought with great courage against the brutality of the mercenaries, the statement said the following:

“The Turkish state and its mercenaries aim to subjugate the peoples of North and East Syria and destroy all social and human values that the people of the region have striven to uphold. They have launched brutal attacks against the people in an attempt to achieve their goals. In this context, the Turkish state seeks to turn Syria into a living hell for women, peoples, religions, and beliefs.

In response, on the fronts of resistance, the bravest sons and daughters of North and East Syria are writing legends of honor and humanity against the most heinous forms of dictatorship. This resistance is not only a historical battle but also a testimony that these fighters are the architects of this reality. Through the sacrifice of their sacred spirits, they have shown the world that struggling women and free peoples will continue to resist all forms of oppression, domination, and nationalist pressures. They will not yield to occupation and will persevere in the fight for an equal life.

Once again, the people’s hopes for a free life will bloom. The fighters on the frontlines against the fascist Turkish occupation know that their struggle will remain a legacy for history and that it will lift the darkness from the future. Based on this conviction, without fear, hesitation, or a second thought, they willingly sacrifice their lives.

Our comrade, commander Ronahi Yekta, was a figure of high revolutionary spirit, courage, and determination. She possessed a great heart, rejecting all forms of domination over society. She never accepted that people should live under oppressive rule.

She was born in the city of dignity and resistance, Afrin. As a child, she participated in cultural and artistic activities, touching life with the precision of an artist creating their masterpiece. At the same time, she lived according to the principles of a revolutionary woman.

With the outbreak of the revolution of freedom in Syria, she turned to the battlefields and chose the path of resistance. In 2012, when the “Nusra” mercenaries launched their attacks on Aleppo, our comrade Ronahi joined the revolution.

Ronahi Yekta was part of the revolutionary youth movement, contributing to training young men and women. She became a comrade who inspired them with a love for the revolution. She spread revolutionary culture and carried out organizational activities across all regions of North and East Syria.

When the Turkish state launched its attack on Afrin, causing a great humanitarian tragedy, our comrade Ronahi made a solemn vow of revenge, filled with anger and hatred toward the enemy. She deeply felt the vital need for defense, and thus she joined the ranks of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ). In a short time, she mastered the arts of war and women’s protection.

With her military and intellectual training, she became one of the young commanders of the YPJ. Through tireless efforts, she trained fighters and performed her protection duties with great seriousness.

The fighters and comrades of Ronahi Yekta, in every moment of life, felt the hope and enthusiasm reflected in her eyes and drew strength from her. This was because our comrade Ronahi Yekta built herself with high morale and the ideology of women’s freedom. She lived an organized life based on comradeship and struggle, guided by revolutionary principles.

On December 25, 2024, during the battle against the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries, comrade Ronahi was martyred at Tishrin Dam.

We, her comrades, remember our commander Ronahi with great pride and honor. We pledge to continue the struggle to achieve the goals of the revolution for which she sacrificed her life. We express our deepest condolences to her family, the people of North and East Syria, and all her comrades. We will always remember her and follow the path she paved for us, carrying the banner of the martyrs in confronting injustice and occupation. The struggle of the martyrs lights our paths, and our cause and goal remain constant victory.”

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

Name: Arşîn Hisên

Nom de guerre: Ronahi Yekta

Mother’s name: Hesna

Father’s name: Enwer

Date and place of martyrdom: 25/12/2024, Tishrin Dam