Kobani stands as a symbol of the determination and faith of a people devoted to freedom. The المقاومة fought in the streets of Kobani changed the fate of many. Kobani’s struggle was an insistence on a free and dignified life. Through its historic resistance, Kobani has become a beacon of hope for the future of freedom for all humanity.
Kobani endured a suffocating siege for months and was subjected to the most brutal attacks by ISIS mercenaries. Despite ISIS’s atrocities, heroic epics were written in every street of Kobani under the leadership of the fighters of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), with the unwavering support of our people.
Today, the same jihadist mentality — one that refuses to recognize women’s existence in any sphere of life — is once again attacking the whole of Rojava, and Kobani in particular, through its proxy gangs. These attacks pose a grave threat to the lives and security of our people. Whatever the objectives of the attacks in 2015 were, they remain the same today: to once again subject our people to genocide.
Our people have paid a heavy price for their freedom. The great victory of Kobani was achieved on 26 January 2015 thanks to the heroic resistance of our people. Therefore, in the face of these attacks targeting the achievements and the will of our people, victory can only be achieved through the spirit of revolutionary popular resistance. On this basis, we call on all our people to unite around the gains of the revolution and stand together in defense of our existence and our collective will, in the spirit of national unity.
As the Women’s Defense Units, we honor our immortal martyrs — Arin, Rîvana, Kelehat, Herdem, Ivana, Sarya Ozgur — and all the martyrs of the Rojava Revolution, and we pledge to fulfill the dreams of our newly fallen martyrs. The spirit of Kobani’s resistance will guarantee our victory.
General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ)
26 January 2026
