“Make our revolution, the revolution of women, a great revolution!”

“On November 27, 2024, when Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham launched an attack towards Aleppo and Damascus, simultaneously, gangs affiliated with the Turkish state advanced towards Shahba, Tal Rifaat, and Manbij. The weakness of the Baath regime allowed this war to spread to several areas in Syria. Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham attacked the crumbling regime with the support of the occupying Turkish state. As a result of this war and with the collapse of the Baath regime, the people and fighters in northeastern Syria showed great resistance against the Turkish state’s mercenaries. The war then extended to Tishrin Dam, the Qara Qozak Bridge, and Deir Hafer. We intervened to protect the peoples as YPJ, YPG, and SDF.”

“Despite their severe injuries, our comrades did not surrender and showed great resistance against the attacks.”

Avenar Derik explained that five of their comrades carried out a self-sacrificial act to avoid capture, describing those moments as follows: “After the events in Aleppo and Shahba, a fierce and large battle took place in Manbij. Our comrades entered the battlefield with determination and resolve. On December 8, 2024, the Turkish occupation mercenaries attacked our comrades’ positions. Our comrades displayed heroic resistance that history will record against these attacks. When the enemy launched brutal assaults on them, our comrades struck deadly blows, forcing them to retreat. The battle started in the morning and continued until midnight. After the comrades’ decisive strikes, the mercenaries called for help from the Turkish occupation, which bombarded the area with warplanes without pause. Despite being seriously wounded, our comrades did not surrender and showed great resistance against the attacks.”

“The joint decision was to carry out a self-sacrificial operation.”

Avenar Derik clarified that although their comrades were severely wounded, they did not abandon their resistance, explaining these historic moments by saying:

“Comrade Tolhildan, the group leader, was severely injured by Turkish warplane bombings. Yet, the comrades decided to continue and lead the battle. Comrades Narkiz and another comrade were also wounded, but they still fought until their last bullet. Because they fought for two consecutive days without pause, their ammunition ran out, leaving them with only two grenades. Two comrades suggested conducting a self-sacrificial operation, but due to the insufficient number of grenades, the joint decision was for them to carry out the operation together, so as not to fall captive into the hands of the mercenaries.”

“Fulfill the aspirations of our martyrs.”

Avenar Derik conveyed the last testament of the five martyrs as follows: “Before the operation, our beloved comrades spoke with their friends over the phone, saying: ‘We are surrounded by the enemy, our ammunition is depleted, and we will carry out a self-sacrificial operation so as not to be captured by the enemy.’ And then the sound of an explosion was heard. The wounded comrades who survived expressed the martyrs’ will, saying: ‘Send our greetings to all our comrades, and make our revolutionthe revolution of womena great revolution. Fulfill the aspirations of our martyrs.’”

Avenar Derik described the characters of the five martyrs, saying: “Whoever joins life with a spirit of sacrifice, also becomes a sacrificial fighter in their struggle. These comrades were pioneers in life. They knew well the reality of the cursed enemy, and on this basis, they joined life with a spirit of revenge. Comrades Tolhildan, Narkiz, and Akhin who was the sister of two martyrs — were models in life through their love for the homeland, humility, and friendship. Comrades Sama and Judi were worthy of life through their enthusiastic and passionate devotion to the spirit of comradeship.”

“We will follow in their footsteps and continue their path.”

In her concluding remarks, Avenar Derik emphasized avenging them, stating: “Our five comrades and leaders followed the path of Bese, Zarifa, Arin, Rivan, Avesta, and Barin. At the same time, they proved once again that the enemy cannot occupy our land or darken our lives. These comrades wrote history with their resistance and became the pioneers of the revolutionary people’s war. We remember our noble martyrs and bow in reverence before them. We pledge to avenge them, to realize their dreams, and to elevate their struggle. The enemy will never defeat us, thanks to the sacrificial sons and daughters of this land, always and forever. And as the Women’s Protection Units, we will walk in their footsteps and be worthy of their sacrifices.”

YPJ Media Center

06.05.2025