ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Women’s organizations and activists in northeast Syria (Rojava) on Sunday called for the ongoing integration process between Damascus and the Kurdish-led administration to include the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ).
“YPJ has proven to be the most efficient force and the supreme symbol of women's organization throughout Syria,” read a statement from a platform of women’s organizations and activists in Rojava, as cited by the Rojava-affiliated Hawar News. The statement added that the force has been instrumental in fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) and saving “thousands of women and children.”
The YPJ, an all-female force affiliated with the People’s Protection Units (YPG), serves as a backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
After weeks of clashes between Kurdish forces and Damascus-affiliated groups, both sides reached a 14-point agreement on January 29 to accelerate the stalled process of integrating the SDF into state institutions. The deal includes forming a division for the Kurdish-majority Hasaka province, with the SDF to be incorporated into three brigades.
The activists’ demands include recognizing the YPJ as a regular armed force, maintaining its structure, allowing it to operate in Rojava, and releasing female detainees - numbering 35, 13 of whom were released earlier this month, according to YPJ spokesperson Rukan Jamal.
“The presence of YPJ within the army is a guarantee of the army's commitment to its principles regarding its ability to defend peace and security,” the activists said.
They added that the all-women force represents a “moral compass” for the Syrian army, saying its presence would aid in combating terrorism, protecting women, and maintaining stability.
The YPJ spokesperson told Rudaw earlier in April that the force is seeking to join the SDF brigades as an “independent and equal force.