From the Syrian Coast Massacre to the Struggle for Freedom
Ruken Tartus is one of the young women from the Syrian coast who was displaced due to the massacres carried out by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham and joined YPJ
Ruken Tartus, a Alawite fighter in the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), is one of the young women from the Syrian coast who was displaced to Western Kurdistan due to the massacres carried out by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. She has issued a call to the people of the Syrian coast, urging them to learn about the ideas and vision of Leader Abdullah Öcalan.
With the advance of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, events and developments in Syria have reached a critical stage. This new authority, which was supposed to serve the Syrian people, heal their wounds, and facilitate the reconstruction of society, has instead entered a phase of accountability with a fanatical, sectarian mindset. It has become evident that the massacres committed against the Alawite and Druze communities—as well as their oppressive treatment of women—are clear proof of their actions. As a result of the brutality and massacres by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, many families were forced to flee to areas under the Autonomous Administration. Among these families was that of Ruken Tartus.
Ruken personally witnessed the horrific events taking place in the Syrian coast. She migrated with her family to Western Kurdistan in search of a free and peaceful life. She joined the Women’s Protection Units to defend her homeland, her community, and her Alawite identity. As a woman from the Alawite sect, she now fights against the mentality of “one flag, one sect, one nation”—the mindset of the nation-state—and is currently participating in the Deir ez-Zor campaign against ISIS cells.
“Massacres and killing are not destiny”
Speaking about her struggle, Ruken Tartous said:
“Through my knowledge of the Democratic Nation project, I was able to deeply understand the thought of Leader Öcalan. I joined the YPJ based on his humanist philosophy, because it is through this ideology that one can recognize and protect human values. As a woman, I realized that I have the power to defend myself and my society, because women are the foundation of any community.”
Ruken drew attention to the suffering of women in the Syrian coast and added:
“A horrific massacre is taking place in the coastal regions—children and men are being killed, women are being abducted and subjected to brutal crimes. Women are being stripped of their essence and truth, veiled, and reduced to domestic duties. But this is not the destiny of women. A strong-willed woman is fully capable of protecting herself and her community.”
“The Deir ez-Zor operation is a decisive response to the terrorist attacks on my community”
Ruken highlighted the significance of the Deir ez-Zor campaign, saying that the ISIS mentality has not been eradicated, and continued:
“My participation in the Deir ez-Zor operation is a firm response to the terrorist attacks against my community. This response is not just for one nation or one region—it is for the protection of all human values and conscience.”
Ruken Tartus, a fighter in the Women’s Protection Units, called on the people of the Syrian coast to understand that the Democratic Nation project is the only path to liberation from all forms of massacres and exploitation. She concluded her message by saying:
“To live a free and safe life, women must become familiar with the ideas of Leader Öcalan, through which they will discover their true strength. The only way to confront these massacres is by adopting a mindset of protection and self-defense, alongside political awareness. I call on the people of the Syrian coast to learn about and follow the ideas of Leader Öcalan, and to consider his physical freedom as the freedom of all humanity.”
