The General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) released a statement paying tribute to Tulay Mihemed (Avzem Çiya) and Xalîde Ebdullah (Bêrîtan Şoreş), who fell as martyrs during the ongoing resistance against Turkish occupation forces in the Tishrin and Sirrin regions.

“Comrades Bêrîtan and Avzem upheld a tremendous will to protect the homeland until the very end,” said the YPJ statement, which includes the following:

“Our struggle for a free homeland, led by the spiritual unity of the fighters and the people, has become a clear goal in front of the entire world. This immense will and determination have proven that no obstacles, regardless of the circumstances, can stop us, and our fight will persist without hesitation, no matter the cost. Today, the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), fighting on all fronts to defend the homeland, continue to write a new chapter in history, once again showcasing the strength and courage that history has witnessed.

Through the personalities of Commander Bêrîtan and Comrade Avzem, we honor and remember our comrades Mustafa Hemo, Jan Afrin, Sham Qamishlo, Jwan Qamishlo, Shahin Tirbespi, Zuhair Abdullah Ali, Mirkan Abdulqader Ibrahim, Ahmad Muhammad, Diyar Qamishlo, and Silo Qamishlo with great reverence and appreciation. The history of peoples’ freedom will never forget the resistance of our immortal martyrs, and through the heroic figures of the Tishrin Dam and Qarah Qozakh resistance, we shall achieve our goals.

Our comrade Khalida Abdullah, known by the name Bêrîtan, was born into a patriotic family devoted to the values of freedom in Serekaniye. Many members of Commander Bêrîtan’s family also joined the freedom revolution, which had a profound influence on her character and role in the struggle. Bêrîtan’s brother and sister both participated in the fight for freedom, sacrificing their lives for the homeland and joining the ranks of the immortal martyrs. In 2015, her sister joined the campaign to liberate Al-Hol and was martyred there. That same year, Commander Bêrîtan adopted her sister’s name and joined the ranks of the YPJ.

Throughout her revolutionary life, Commander Bêrîtan was an exemplary revolutionary woman, dedicated to the struggle for freedom and a source of morale for her comrades. She proved her strength and determination as a female leader at every stage of the fight to liberate her homeland. With her genuine and steadfast stance in her revolutionary journey, she became a leader of her time. She trained hundreds of Arab and Kurdish female fighters, becoming a role model for them. She participated in battles against ISIS, especially in the liberation of Raqqa and even Baghouz, playing an active role in these battles. Commander Bêrîtan also took part in several special military operations within the YPJ and carried out her duties with great success.

In the Qarah Qozakh battle against the Turkish occupation, Bêrîtan was one of the leaders who contributed to the tactics and strategies of this era’s resistance against Turkish aggression. She fought until her last breath for the liberation of the homeland. On January 4, 2025, Commander Bêrîtan was martyred during an airstrike by drones.

Our comrade Avzem Çiya was born in the uprising city of Qamishlo. Despite the dominance of the modern oppressive system, she consciously chose the path of struggle for the liberation of the homeland. In 2022, Avzem joined the YPJ and embarked on a strong fight for freedom. Avzem Çiya was a skilled fighter who, thanks to her military training and tactical and strategic expertise, played a significant role and embodied all she had learned alongside her comrades.

Comrade Avzem Çiya was loyal, brave, and hardworking. With these qualities, she earned her place among her comrades and fought to the very end.

When the Turkish state and its mercenaries launched their brutal and violent attacks, Avzem, driven by great determination and a spirit of vengeance, headed to the frontlines to stand firm in resistance. On January 2, 2025, Comrade Avzem demonstrated the spirit of a brave woman, fighting until she was martyred during the battle at the Tishrin Dam.

First and foremost, we extend our condolences to the families of comrades Bêrîtan and Avzem, as well as to our resilient and struggling people. We affirm that, as the YPJ, we will continue to honor our martyrs and pledge to persist in our struggle for the freedom of the homeland. We are committed to making the dreams of our fallen comrades and our people a reality and ensuring freedom for generations to come.”