The General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) released a statement paying tribute to one of their fighters, Avaşîn Efrîn, who fell a martyr while resisting the attacks of mercenaries affiliated with the fascist Turkish state in Sirrin.

Reaffirming their commitment to carrying forward the struggle of the martyrs to ultimate victory, YPJ stated the following:

“Our comrade Aziza Hussein, known as Avaşîn Efrîn, was born in the city of Afrin, a city rich in deep cultural and patriotic values. When the Turkish aggression against Afrin began, our comrade Avaşîn, like thousands of Afrin residents, was displaced with her family to Shehba, which became a refuge for those forced out of Afrin. The life of a refugee, coupled with the suffering of war and the pain of being uprooted from her sacred homeland, opened a path of hardship within her. Yet, she transformed this pain into determination and a strong will to fight. On this basis, in the same year, she joined the ranks of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ).

Our comrade Avaşîn Efrîn, after receiving training for new fighters, sought to further develop herself and master military skills by enrolling in a military academy for operations. There, she trained and significantly improved her abilities. As a woman, Avaşîn Efrîn deeply understood the concept of women’s freedom, which further strengthened her confidence in this ideology. The Rojava Revolution, which is also a women’s revolution, became a guiding principle in her life. As women became an integral part of the revolution, Avaşîn actively participated in all arenas of struggle. Freeing herself from patriarchal thinking, she also sought to represent the identity of women in the fields of defense.

Avaşîn Efrîn built her life upon the principles of leadership and remained connected to the truth of the martyrs. For her, every martyr was a reason to strengthen the resistance. The resilience and lives of her fallen comrades were her foundation. Thus, she lived her life with devotion, fought fearlessly in her struggle, and adhered firmly to fundamental principles in her relationships.

At the same time, she tirelessly worked to thwart the occupation’s attacks on her homeland with all her strength. When the Turkish occupation state mobilized its mercenaries against northern and eastern Syria, she joined her comrades on the frontlines of resistance.

The fascist Turkish state supports its mercenaries in every way and, to disrupt the strides of freedom, continues its interventions by providing soldiers, weapons, and advanced techniques. Yet, with all its might, it cannot overpower the freedom fighters. Day by day, the Turkish state’s mercenaries suffer heavy blows and collapse.

While resisting the mercenaries in Sirrin, our comrade Avaşîn Efrîn was martyred as a result of airstrikes carried out by Turkish occupation drones, along with her comrades.

We extend our condolences once again to her family, all our people, and comrades, and we affirm our continued resistance against these attacks. We will walk steadfastly on the path of the martyrs with the will of organized free women. In doing so, we will realize the dreams of our martyrs with glorious victory.”