The reality of our martyrs is the truest expression of our struggle. Our martyrs sacrifice their lives with a noble spirit to protect their people. This sacred spirit, which fights on the front lines, defends the honor of its people with unbreakable determination against all forms of occupation attacks.
When mercenary gangs launched a brutal attack on Tabqa, our commander Sîdar Afri fought to the very end against their crimes and was martyred on January 18.
Our comrade and commander, Leyla Hamo, known as Sîdar Afrin, was born in 1980 into a patriotic family in Afrin. With her family’s support for the liberation movement, Comrade Sîdar joined the search for a free life and became a revolutionary for the freedom of her people. She began her struggle for freedom in 1997 through various revolutionary activities. At the beginning of the Rojava Revolution, she actively participated in efforts to organize the people and made unparalleled contributions in the field of defense. At the same time, she took a leading role in the liberation campaigns in Rojava. Comrade Sîdar fought ISIS in Rojava Kurdistan and possessed a strong determination to protect humanity from this global plague.
As a commander, she embraced the principles of the free woman, rose to the highest ranks, and carried out her duties in accordance with the spirit of leadership of that time. Comrade Sîdar served her people with loyalty, sacrifice, and success on the path to freedom. In the darkest and most difficult circumstances, she upheld her duty and struggled for the freedom of the people and of women. Guided by the principles of women’s liberation, she refined her character in all areas of life, becoming an exemplary commander within the ranks of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ). She struggled for freedom with humility and great enthusiasm in every moment of her life. She stood beside her fighters at every moment of their lives, fulfilling her responsibilities with great dedication as a leader of her time. Even at the moment of her martyrdom, she was a source of faith and strength for her fighters through her high morale and enthusiasm. Commander Sîdar remained loyal to her comrades until the very end, and therefore held a special place among them. This stance made all her friends rally around her. Comrade Sîdar is a symbol of the sincerity, courage, and resilience of Kurdish women.
Commander Sîdar Afrin fought on the front lines to protect the gains of her people when mercenaries attacked the city of Tabqa, and she sacrificed her life to prevent them from taking control.
We extend our deepest condolences first to the respected family of Commander Sîdar Afrin and to all our patriotic people. The goal of our martyrs is to build a free life and protect the achievements of the revolution. As comrades of the martyrs, we will continue striving to realize the goals of the martyrs of freedom until our last breath, to achieve lasting victory Martyr’s Record
Name: Sîdar Afrin
Full Name: Leyla Hamo
Mother’s Name: Zainab
Father’s Name: Shukri
Place and Date of Martyrdom: January 18, 2026
General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ)
27. 01. 2026
