The General Command of the Women's Defence Units (YPJ) announced the death of four fighters in the northern Syrian city of Heseke. According to the statement released on Friday, Hesina Mûsa Mihemmed (Avaşîn Hesekê), Hîba Abdulqadir Bekir (Hîba Hesekê), Bêrîvan Abdil Xelef (Bêrîvan Hesekê), Emîne Nebo Silêman (Dilar Kobanê) died in a fatal accident during a mission in Hesekê on Thursday.

Expressing its condolences to the relatives of the four women and the people of northern and eastern Syria, YPJ General Command said:

"With the revolution of North and East Syria, the brave women of our regions came in like a flood into the ranks of freedom, united around the democratic, ecological and women's liberation paradigm and organised under the umbrella of the YPJ. The fire of this revolution, which dispelled the darkness of the time, illuminated the societies’ path to freedom under the vanguard of female fighters. To this day, the YPJ is putting up determined resistance for liberation. This resistance that we are leading against the logic of male domination is growing with each passing day. No doubt, at the end of this dignified cause, it is inevitable that many of our precious women companions sacrifice their lives.

Avaşîn Hesekê, Hîba Hesekê, Bêrîvan Hesekê and Dilar Kobanê fought for the freedom of their people with the spirit of sacrifice. With dedication and courage, they defended the values of freedom and fulfilled the tasks of the revolution. Our ideal will be to continue the resistance until the fulfilment of their dreams."

YPJ provided the following information on the identity of the deceased female fighters:

Hesina Mûsa Mihemmed (Avaşîn Hesekê) was born in Hesekê in 1987. She grew up in a home characterised by Kurdish patriotism and joined the armed units of Rojava at an early age. She joined the self-protection units Yekinêyên Xweparastina Gel (YXG), a fighting unit that was founded in 2011 shortly after the emergence of the "Arab Spring" in Syria. When the YXG was restructured into the People's Defence Units (YPG) in 2012, Avaşîn Hesekê participated in the establishment of the YPJ. She was thus one of the first members of the YPJ and participated in all fronts of the war against ISIS, from Hesekê to Til Temir and Deir ez-Zor.

Hîba Abdulqadir Bekir (Hîba Hesekê) was born in Hesekê in 2003. She also belonged to a family connected to the Kurdish resistance. She joined the ranks of the struggle after an older brother of hers had joined the liberation struggle. Through her devotion to him and all the other martyrs, Comrade Hîba joined our ranks. She will always be remembered as a comrade who carried the passion of the revolution and the spirit of companionship deep in her heart.

Bêrîvan Abdil Xelef (Bêrîvan Hesekê) was born in 1995 and also came from Hesekê. Her home and parental environment were influenced by the Kurdish resistance, and her brother had been martyred in battle. This event shaped her and was decisive for her decision to become part of the YPJ.

Emîne Nebo Silêman (Dilar Kobanê) came from Kobanê. Her family is active supporters of the Kurdish liberation movement, and one of her sisters was martyred in the fight. Her loss was decisive for Dilar Kobanê's participation in the ranks of the YPJ.