JINHA

DIRBÊSIYÊ - Kifah Khalil Efendi, 66, has proven that the struggle for freedom knows no age: Kifah serves as a member of the revolutionary defense forces in Rojava.

Kifah was born to an Arab family in the city of Aleppo. For the last three months, she has been serving in the Social Defense Force (HPC) in the city of Dirbêsiyê. The HPC helps secure Dirbêsiyê in the Rojava autonomous region in Syria. Kifah says she enjoys serving at checkpoints in the city.

"My age may be advanced, but I wanted to take my place alongside the youth, the women and those fighting for the country's freedom. This is my duty," said Kifah, who has four children. Kifah said that before the revolution, no one spoke of women's rights. Since the Rojava revolution, there have been changes for women.

"With the revolution, women took great leaps forward. They opened the door to a new life," said Kifah. "I really saw my own existence, my identity, my strength in the revolutionary process. This is why I'm fulfilling my voluntary duties."

"We only believe in the YPJ/YPG," said Kifah. She said the fighters allow people to live according to their own beliefs and culture. In the local HPC defense forces, Kurdish, Arab and Assyrian Rojavans all serve together. Kifah called the diversity a source of morale.

"Everyone needs to stand up for the revolution," said Kifah. "They need to do anything necessary for this fertile land of theirs."

(fk/cm)