The General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) released a statement paying tribute to their fallen comrades who fought selflessly and valiantly on the Qaraqozak front and fell as martyrs.

The YPJ statement on Thursday includes the following:

“In North and East Syria, in the face of the brutal attacks of the Turkish occupation, historic resistance continues. The resistance we witness today is for the freedom and dignity of the people. Our fighters and people, following the path of revolutionary people’s war, understand that the struggle will not cease and will continue regardless of the sacrifices.

On the Tishrin Dam and Qaraqozak fronts, the fighters of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the Manbij Military Council stand firm on the frontlines with great determination and decisive action. They repel the attacks of the Turkish occupation and deliver harsh blows to the enemy, becoming a symbol of strength and faith for unbreakable communities. In this historic journey, our comrades and fighters have selflessly given their lives to crown the rightful struggle of the peoples of North and East Syria with victory.

The women fighters of the YPJ, Sîham Ibrahim (code name Jinda Botan) and Culye Ibrahim (code name Dilan Şoreş), as well as SDF fighters Weten Dêrazor, Egîd Serêkaniyê and Xerib Hesekê, who were on the Qaraqozak front in Kobani repelling Turkish occupation attacks, were martyred on December 25, 2024.  

We extend our condolences to the patriotic families of our fighters and also to the entire people and their comrades. Through their memory, we commemorate all the martyrs of the Qaraqozak and Tishrin Dam resistance, who demonstrated unparalleled bravery. We affirm that we will triumph under the light of their path.

Commander Jinda joined the ranks of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) as a young woman following the liberation of Kobani from ISIS. With a decisive decision in 2015, she took up arms to defend the gains of the revolution.

Jinda lived her revolutionary journey over ten years with a humble, self-sacrificing, and determined stance, full of enthusiasm. She aligned her personality with the revolution and, as a revolutionary woman, made significant progress both militarily and intellectually, fulfilling all her duties and responsibilities to the fullest.

Jinda was always on the frontlines with her proactive personality. In 2019, she was injured while defending the gains of the women’s revolution against the Turkish occupation during the “Resistance of Dignity.” Despite her injury, she pursued specialized military training and emerged as a pioneering leader in terms of tactics and contemporary strategy. On the Qaraqozak resistance front, she stood with great enthusiasm and morale, remaining committed to defending the homeland tirelessly and with complete honesty until her final moments. With great devotion to freedom, she defended the homeland on the battlefields, becoming a symbol of leadership in this era with her courageous and combative stance.

Commander Jinda was a distinguished leader with a deep understanding of modern warfare. She participated in all operations and led numerous campaigns during the Qaraqozak battles. Her personality and dedication reflected the line of militant victory, becoming a source of strength and faith for all her comrades.

As for comrade Dilan Şoreş, she was from the resistant city of Afrin, and her father hailed from the Arab community in the city of Al-Shaddadi. She grew up in an environment that embodied the unity of Kurdish and Arab cultures. Dilan’s family was one of the families that instilled love for the homeland and the responsibility of protecting it in their children.

Comrade Dilan lived with a personality built on the unity of the two nations, embodying values and profound significance. She joined the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) in 2020 and became a revolutionary fighter defending women’s rights and freedom, following the footsteps of her sister, who had also joined the YPJ.

Dilan demonstrated a courageous and dedicated personality in fulfilling her duties toward the homeland. To continue her struggle for freedom against oppressive and patriarchal mindsets, she made significant efforts. Ultimately, with a brave stance and strong belief in herself, she stood on the Qaraqozak resistance front with fierce defiance against the enemy. She chose nothing but victory and lived and fought with a spirit driven by the guarantee of freedom. As she often told her comrades: “We must never look back; our direction must always be toward victory. We have chosen the path of victory, and as fighters, we believe only in victory.”

We will always remain committed to the path and goals of our martyrs, and our bond with them will ensure the freedom of the homeland. We will undoubtedly follow their path and realize their dreams.”