Statement to Public Opinion
With great pride and honor, we extend our sincere congratulations to all women and to our esteemed people on the occasion of the fourteenth anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ). On this occasion, we respectfully and reverently commemorate all the martyrs of the revolution, foremost among them the founding martyrs of the YPJ: Jinda Tel Tamer, Slava Afrin, Arin Mirkan, Rîvan Kobani, Hebûn Arab, and Berîvan Êzidî, as well as the internationalist martyrs Ivana Hoffmann and Hêlîn Qereçox. We bow in deep respect before their great heroism. We also renew our commitment to follow the path of the martyrs, embodied in the martyrs of the current phase: Deniz Jiya, Sîdar Afrin, Leyla Qasim, Tîn Arab, and Shîlan Kobani. Furthermore, we extend our congratulations on this day to Leader Apo and to all individuals who struggle for freedom.
Undoubtedly, our struggle has been grounded in the ideas and philosophy of Abdullah Öcalan, who opened the path of freedom for women. Accordingly, the fourth of April, which marks the birth anniversary of Leader Apo, is also regarded as the birth anniversary of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ).
Since its establishment, the YPJ has continued its struggle with determination, overcoming numerous challenges and hardships through immense sacrifices and an unwavering will, until reaching its present position. Through this struggle, the YPJ has contributed to the liberation of women and the peoples of the region from the oppression of the former Ba’ath regime and from the terrorism of ISIS. It has also played a pivotal role in bringing about profound social transformations, whereby the principles of freedom and equality have been transformed into a way of life and into deeply rooted societal values.
Throughout the course of the Rojava Revolution, the role of YPJ fighters has not been limited to defending the land; they have also demonstrated the capacity of women to build a free and equal life founded upon dignity and justice. The struggle led by the YPJ has shown that women are capable of breaking the chains of subjugation and of writing their own destiny. From this perspective, the Women’s Protection Units—established under the leadership of Kurdish women—have become a pioneering and powerful model for women’s self-defense across the world.
The existence of the YPJ has constituted a source of safety and confidence for all women living in Syria. Today, any discussion regarding the construction of a free and democratic future for Syria is intrinsically linked to the struggle of the YPJ and to the struggle of all Syrian women. Within our ranks are women from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, and together we struggle side by side to consolidate the values of coexistence and equality.
In this context, the integration of the YPJ into the Ministry of Defense would contribute to the formation of a modern Syrian army that could serve as a model in the region. Moreover, the existence of the YPJ—established through immense sacrifices—must be secured through clear constitutional and legal guarantees. Thus, the participation of the YPJ in the Syrian army carries historical significance in the process of building a future Syria based on freedom and equality.
Within this framework, the General Command of the Women’s Protection Units held a meeting in Damascus with the Ministry of Defense, marking the beginning of a new phase of dialogue and struggle. These meetings are expected to continue in the coming period; however, this does not yet imply the conclusion of a final agreement. Therefore, ensuring the integration of the YPJ into the Ministry of Defense and the legal recognition of its existence requires a collective struggle involving both women and society as a whole.
On this basis, we call upon all women’s movements and organizations in Rojava, Syria, and worldwide to support this new phase of struggle and to work jointly to secure the future of women and to build a free, democratic, and equal Syria. We also emphasize the necessity of strengthening women’s unity and advancing the collective struggle for freedom, grounded in our belief that a democratic and free future for Syria will be realized under the leadership of free women.
Once again, on the anniversary of the founding of the YPJ, we honor with deep respect all the women martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the struggle for freedom. We extend our greetings to the mothers of the martyrs and congratulate all women, our people, and our fighters in the Women’s Protection Units on this occasion. We are confident that our struggle will remain a beacon illuminating the path for millions of women, and that we will continue to fulfill our historic responsibilities to the end—for the freedom of peoples, the equality of women, and the construction of a democratic future for Syria.
Long live the Fourth of April
Long live the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ)
Down with all forms of slavery
Woman, Life, Freedom
General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ)
3 April 2026
