VildanAtmaca / JINHA

WAN – Xezal Kalkan, mother of fallen YPJ fighter ŞirinKalkan (nom de guerre SilavSerda), described her daughter as dreaming of being a guerrilla her whole life.

Şirinhad fought against Daesh gang members in the front ranks of the YPJ for five months in the fight for Kobanê, which was liberated on January 26. Şirin was killed on February 15 in a clash that broke out with Daesh gang members while taking part in operations to liberate the village around Kobanê.

Xezal said that Şirin first went to join the fighting ranks of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in 2010, when she was 14 years old. It was August 15, the day when, in 1984, the PKK launched the armed struggle for Kurdish liberation.

Xezal said Şirin often asked her, "Mom, why are Kurds oppressed? Were we created just to be oppressed?"

"The injustices we have experienced as Kurdish people made Şirin a little more mature every day. They justified the guerrilla struggle," said Xezal.

Şirin was a calm and friendly child who had a good rapport with people, Xezal said. Those around her loved her maturity.

"When I saw her at the funeral, it was like she had fallen asleep and would wake up in a few hours," said Xezal. "I kissed her and smelled her to wake her up, but she didn't. I held her tight, but whatever I did she wouldn't wake up. My girl, who would wake up with one kiss, didn't wake up this time.

"Like every mother I'm in pain but I'm strong, I'm proud. My condolences to all the honorable Kurdish people."

HüsnaKalkan, a relative and Şirin'sclosest friend, said Şirin's dream had always been to be a guerrilla and to fight in defense of the people.

"One day she asked me, 'don't you want to be a guerrilla too? I said 'no,'" said Hüsna."Şirin had a strong, powerful will. She did whatever she set her mind to." She said when they were children, Şirin loved to jump rope and draw. She was always a reflection of her name—which means "sweet."

"I'm sure she was the same way with her friends in struggle," said Hüsna.

(gk/mg/cm)