Milîtan Efrîn, a commander in the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), delivered important assessments regarding the latest phase of the war and resistance in Aleppo. She explained that the neighborhoods of Şêxmeqsûd and Eşrefiyê have been subjected to violent attacks since January 6, but that the will of the people and the fighters has become an unbreakable shield.
Facing Brutality, an Epic of Sacrifice
Milîtan Efrîn drew attention to the heroism embodied by martyrs such as Zîyad Heleb and Deniz, saying:
“Our comrades resisted with devoted hearts and unparalleled bravery. They did not surrender to the occupation and inflicted painful blows on the enemy. This attack does not only aim to occupy the lands of Western Kurdistan, but to annihilate the Kurdish people.”
She stated that gangs of the occupying Turkish state are carrying out brutal attacks in cooperation with mercenaries from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, and that these assaults observe no humanitarian standards:
“Children, the elderly, old people, and women… The blood-thirsty enemy makes no distinction between anyone. But let it be known that this people never abandons its children — its fighters. Because we come from this people and this land, our resistance is inseparably tied to them.”
“Thousands of Zîyad and Deniz on This Path”
She added that despite the enemy’s attempts to break their will through special warfare methods and so-called “ceasefire” tricks, the solidarity of the Kurdish people across Kurdistan has only grown stronger.
“The echo of this solidarity has spread throughout the world. Our braids will become a nightmare for the invaders. Each time they begin cutting our braids, we will spread thousands of new braids. Today, on this land, newborn children are being given the names of martyrs. Our children will not only be symbols of beauty, but a treasure that will bring down the occupation.”
Concluding her speech, Milîtan Efrîn delivered the following message:
“As the Women’s Protection Units, we will remain on the battlefield until victory. We are open to any kind of alliance and dialogue, but the protection of our people is our red line. As our martyrs have said: ‘If there is anything more precious than our lives, we are ready to sacrifice ourselves for this people.’ We embrace our people with all our hearts and send them our love from the battlefronts.”
