The Daughters of Kobani

Women can no longer remain silent about being treated as second-class citizens; they must take up arms, literally and ideologically, to claim their rightful place.

1. A Soccer Match Sparks a Political Awakening

The Kurdish struggle for recognition in Syria traces back to decades of systemic marginalization. A turning point came in a local soccer match in Qamishli in the early 2000s, where rising ethnic tensions between Kurds and Arabs descended into deadly violence. When Syrian police opened fire on unarmed Kurdish fans, they killed dozens and injured many, sparking riots.

This brief but intense conflict planted the seeds for Kurdish political consciousness. Young Kurds, angered by systemic oppression, began confronting the Assad regime head-on. Their willingness to stand up for their rights became evident, setting the stage for their later involvement in the Syrian civil war. In 2011, nationwide protests against Bashar al-Assad's regime spilled into Kurdish regions, reigniting the Kurds' determination.

Ultimately, these events foreshadowed the Kurds' fight for survival and independence. As the Arab Spring gave rise to chaos, the Kurdish militias like the People’s Protection Units (YPG) emerged, committed to autonomy and self-defense. This soccer match, at first glance trivial, became the spark that highlighted the Kurds’ courage to face an oppressive system.

Examples

• Syrian police shot directly into Kurdish fans during the brawl, killing over 25 people.
• Riots spread across Kurdish towns, leading to the destruction of government offices.
• Thousands of Kurds were jailed, marking the beginning of a broader resistance.

2. Two Opposing Worldviews Collide

ISIS’s rise to power brought an uncompromising ideology defined by ruthless Sharia law enforcement. They explicitly targeted women, turning them into commodities to be traded or enslaved. Their treatment of Yazidi women in Sinjar revealed their brutal worldview, which devastated entire communities.

In stark contrast, the YPG took inspiration from Abdullah Öcalan’s vision of women’s equality and societal justice. Öcalan emphasized that freedom wasn’t possible without gender equality. Over decades, this philosophy took root across Kurdish regions, with women becoming active participants in both social and military affairs.

The battle between ISIS and the YPG wasn't just military—it was a direct clash of ideologies. On one side, the subjugation of women defined ISIS's rule, while on the other, it was their liberation that fueled the YPG's determination. Facing ISIS, the Kurdish fighters set out not just to win battles but to dismantle systems of oppression.

Examples

• ISIS enslaved Yazidi women, selling them on open markets for fighters to claim or abuse.
• Öcalan's teachings called for women to lead in every aspect of Kurdish society.
• The YPG formed the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), a military wing for and by women.

3. The Birth of Women Warriors

Women like Azeema, Nowruz, Znarin, and Rojda became the faces of resistance. Each came from a background marred by sexism, but they channelled their frustrations into action. Azeema openly rejected marriage as a teenager, understanding its limitations for women in her community. Znarin defied her family’s strict rules, particularly when they halted her education.

The decision to join the militia was life-altering for these women. Once military outsiders, they now found themselves as equals to male fighters and visible symbols of empowerment. Women not only joined combat, but, in 2013, officially created their own unit, YPJ, to lead independently. Their leadership went beyond strategy; it was a defiance of norms.

These Kurdish women weren’t just fighting ISIS—they were proving that women could lead, both on the frontlines and beyond. Their actions began to reshape opinions not just within Kurdish society but internationally.

Examples

• Azeema’s insistence on rejecting marriage reflected her belief in personal agency.
• Znarin rose from a girl denied education to commanding her own force of 50 soldiers.
• Nowruz’s position as YPJ’s overall leader exemplified the heights that women could achieve.

4. America Joins the Fight

Facing ISIS’s growing influence and the horrors in places like Sinjar, the United States chose intervention. But rather than sending its own soldiers, America looked for an existing fighting force that could serve as a partner and counterterrorism ally. The YPG’s self-defense origins, focus on autonomy rather than regime change, and inclusive ethos made them an attractive choice.

Despite hesitations about Öcalan's influence, the US partnered with the Kurdish forces. The airstrikes and supplies they provided turned Kobani into a proving ground. The YPG showed resilience and adaptability, working seamlessly with American forces to fight ISIS.

This alliance not only empowered the YPG militarily but also gave them international visibility and legitimacy. It was a recognition of their capability, cementing their role as a critical force against ISIS.

Examples

• US airstrikes supported Kurdish ground forces during critical moments in Kobani.
• The YPG had already acted as saviors by rescuing Yazidis stranded on Mount Sinjar.
• American officials preferred a force like the YPG that wasn’t seeking regime change.

5. Victory in Kobani

The battle for Kobani marked a turning point for both the Kurdish movement and the war against ISIS. As ISIS advanced through the city, the Kurdish women prepared for a desperate stand. Azeema’s squad managed to rescue pinned comrades using coordinated air support from the US. Ultimately, sustained fighting, street by street, slowly weakened ISIS control.

By January 2015, the YPG and YPJ declared that Kobani was free from ISIS control. This victory challenged the perception of women in combat. It showed the world that female-led forces could deliver results against one of the world’s most feared terrorist organizations.

Kobani symbolized more than a military success—it was proof of an alternative, egalitarian model. For the Kurdish women fighters, reclaiming Kobani was a watershed moment in showing that women could lead revolutions.

Examples

• Azeema defied orders to lead a daring rescue mission amidst sniper and mortar fire.
• US airstrikes targeted key ISIS strongholds at the YPG’s request.
• Kobani’s liberation was publicly declared with women fighters at the forefront.

6. Building Bridges with Arab Forces

After Kobani, the YPG sought to expand their ranks by incorporating Arab fighters. With American encouragement, this effort aimed to create a coalition that represented Syria’s ethnic diversity. These new ranks formalized into the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which included both Kurdish and Arab fighters.

The shift wasn’t without challenges. Cooperation required unifying two groups with different languages, customs, and histories. But the YPG’s inclusive leadership style began bridging these gaps, creating trust among Arab recruits.

Arabs could see firsthand that women stood as equals within the SDF ranks. This exposure began to reshape local perceptions about gender roles, bringing Öcalan’s teachings to new communities.

Examples

• The Arab-inclusive SDF allowed the US to support the Kurds with fewer political complications.
• Women like Rojda led mixed-ethnic troops, showcasing unity in leadership roles.
• Arab recruits slowly adapted to gender-equality practices modeled by the YPJ.

7. The Claiming of Raqqa

Raqqa wasn’t just the ISIS capital—it was a symbol of their ideology. The SDF’s fight there was designed to devastate ISIS infrastructure while liberating its people, many of whom had suffered unimaginable abuse. Snipers, suicide bombings, and mines were commonplace in the battle, but the SDF's resilience carried the day.

Rojda’s leadership shone during this campaign, where she led troops through critical battles. With every advance, she helped secure more ground, pushing ISIS into an ever-smaller holdout. Finally, the SDF entered Raqqa’s central strongpoints, raising their own flag by mid-October 2017.

By reclaiming Raqqa, the SDF officially ended ISIS's geographic dominance in Syria. But just as importantly, they demonstrated that women-led and mixed-gender forces could accomplish seemingly impossible feats.

Examples

• Rojda led 4,000 troops and became a central figure in the Raqqa offensive.
• ISIS used civilians as human shields and planted explosives, stalling SDF advances.
• By October 2017, the SDF’s yellow flag replaced ISIS's notorious black banners.

8. Rewriting Social Traditions and Roles

The results of the YPJ/YPG battles went beyond military victories. With years of active combat under their belts, Kurdish women began rewriting societal norms. Their successes on the battlefield translated into political initiatives, such as the Syrian Democratic Council’s constitution.

This new document guaranteed significant rights for women. It enshrined equality, co-leadership positions, and protections against abuse. Such radical advancements were a testament to the transformative power of these years of struggle.

Examples

• Women fighters transitioned from military roles to leadership positions.
• The constitution mandated co-leadership roles in local government.
• Violence against women became a punishable offense under the new document.

9. A Future Full of Uncertainty

Defeating ISIS didn’t end the Kurdish struggle. New threats emerged, especially from Turkey, which viewed the YPG as a terrorist organization. Yet, Kurdish women fighters remained determined to fight—not just for Kurdish independence but for equality across the region.

Their courage inspired international attention, and their sacrifices changed local attitudes about women’s roles. Though challenges remain, the foundations built by these women proved that they won’t be silenced again.

Examples

• Turkey’s attacks on Kurdish regions reignited hostilities post-ISIS.
• Kurdish women inspired movements in neighboring countries seeking equality.
• Local families who once disapproved of female soldiers now showed pride in them.

Takeaways

1. Support women’s leadership by recognizing their contributions, especially in nontraditional roles.
2. Bridge divides by focusing on shared goals, as the SDF did with Kurdish and Arab troops.
3. Advocate for and protect fundamental rights for women, using the Kurdish constitution as a model.