Thousands of residents from the cities of Qamishlo, Tirbespiye, and Amuda in the Jazira region gathered at the \u201cMartyrs of March 12\u201d Stadium to celebrate April 4; the birthday of Leader Abdullah Ocalan and the anniversary of the founding of the Women\u2019s Protection Units (YPJ).<\/p>\n
Kongra Star and the Women\u2019s Protection Units (YPJ) organized a celebration at the Martyrs of March 12 Stadium in the city of Qamishlo in the Jazira region, on the occasion of April 4the; birthday of Leader Abdullah Ocalan and the anniversary of the founding of the YPJ.<\/p>\n
The celebration was held under the slogan: \u201cApril 4 is the day of the birth of women\u2019s freedom and democratic society,\u201d with the participation of large crowds from the cities of Qamishlo, Tirbespiye and Amuda.<\/p>\n
The venue was decorated with images of Leader Abdullah Ocalan, along with flags of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), the People\u2019s Protection Units (YPG), the Women\u2019s Protection Units (YPJ), Kongra Star, and photos of fallen YPJ fighters. A banner displayed images of female martyrs with the slogan: \u201cYPJ: a history of struggle and a guarantee for the freedom of Syrian women.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event began with a moment of silence, followed by a military parade performed by YPJ fighters. Afterwards, YPJ General Command member Nowruz Ahmad delivered a speech, stating: \u201cThe birth of Leader Abdullah Ocalan is not just the birth of an individual, but the birth of a people. The leader has presented a solution to the current crisis based on democratic integration, and developed the same approach to resolve the women\u2019s issue. The progress achieved today is primarily due to his efforts, as well as the sacrifices of our struggling people, to whom we are grateful, along with all peoples who stood by us.\u201d<\/p>\n
She emphasized that crises in the Middle East and the world have had the greatest impact on women, which led women to organize themselves within YPJ. She added: \u201cToday, women have taken their place in all fields of struggle, and this revolution has become a women\u2019s revolution. However, patriarchal centralized powers seek to push women back. Our message is clear: just as we have led the struggle in all arenas, we will continue this fight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nowruz Ahmad also stressed that achieving a democratic Syria requires the presence of women\u2019s units, noting that women\u2019s self-defense is a legitimate right. She pointed to ongoing meetings aimed at ensuring women\u2019s participation in defense structures, adding that conflicts in the region highlight the necessity of protecting their struggle.<\/p>\n
She concluded by affirming that their struggle will continue \u201cto liberate our imprisoned comrades\u2026 We renew our commitment to protect our people and honor the promise made to the martyrs, and we will continue our struggle until the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following her speech, chants were raised, including: \u201cLong live Leader Apo,\u201d \u201cWomen, Life, Freedom,\u201d \u201cMartyrs are immortal,\u201d and \u201cLong live the resistance of YPJ.\u201d<\/p>\n
A speech was also delivered by Kongra Star Coordination member Jiyan Hamo, who highlighted the significance of April 4, stating: \u201cWe congratulate the leader on April 4, which is the birth of the Kurdish people. It is the spirit that has driven the women\u2019s revolution, the Rojava revolution, and the Kurdistan revolution. This spirit has spread worldwide, promoting the philosophy of free life and strengthening freedom everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cToday, thanks to this spirit, the leader\u2019s project regarding Kurdish rights across all four parts of Kurdistan has advanced. However, in the face of freedom and democracy, authoritarian mentalities attempt to distort this day and deny the identity of Kurdish people and women. This mindset fuels racism in the Middle East. Therefore, April 4 is a light against darkness, extremism, and racism, and this light will remain shining forever.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jiyan Hamo noted ongoing attacks targeting the thought of Leader Abdullah Ocalan, including attempts by some media outlets to obscure his image and ideas.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cNo one can obscure the leader\u2019s thought or dim the light of April 4. We reject this approach. It is the same mindset that occupied Afrin and Serekaniye. We will continue our struggle against all those who deny the identity of women and peoples, until a democratic Syria is achieved.\u201d<\/p>\n
She affirmed that YPJ represents the defense force of women, stating: \u201cWe will resist until YPJ is officially recognized. We congratulate April 4 to all women, mothers of martyrs, and our resilient people.\u201d<\/p>\n
The celebration concluded with performances by the \u201cSt\u00earka Z\u00ear\u00een\u201d band of the Hilala Z\u00ear\u00een women\u2019s cultural movement, along with artists Soumaya Mohammed, Kadar Hussein, and Mofida Afrin, as participants joined in traditional dance circles to the music.<\/p>\n