JINHA

HESEKÊ - Women from the city of Hasakah are preparing to declare an autonomous all-women's defense force.

In the city of Hasakah, in the Rojava region (in Syria), residents from all ethnic origins formed the Self-Defense Forces (Hêzên Parastina Cevherî or HPC) in March 19, 2015. At every corner of the city, HPC volunteers can be seen alongside YPG/YPJ and Asayiş (peacekeeping) forces. Recently, HPC forces took part in a joint operation with Daesh to push Daesh out of the Hasakah area. On June 24, the forces entirely pushed Daesh out of Hasakah in a historic victory.

Now, women fighting in the HPC have decided to form their own autonomous women's force. HPC member Emel Zeydî explained that many women in Hasakah have asked to join the HPC.

"We, like everyone, want to be protected and safe in the social structure," said Emel. "So in order to more comprehensively defend and protect our city and the places where we live, we have begun preparing to form an autonomous women's battalion."

Emel said that from the beginning of the Rojava revolution in the area, women have taken an active, leading role in the revolution. She said that it was now crucial to develop all-women self-defense forces to spread women's liberation in the area.

(rb/fk/cm)