While the attacks of Turkey and the SNA against the cities of North and East Syria continue, 3 members of the Zenubiye Women's Community were massacred in Manbij on 10 December. Thousands of civilians who migrated during Turkey's attacks on Afrin in 2019 and settled in Til Rifaat and Shahba regions were displaced again. 

 

Raqqa is one of the cities threatened by the attacks targeting the democratic nation structure of the region and women's gains. Raqqa, one of the largest cities in Syria, was occupied by ISIS in 2014 and declared "capital". After 3 years (19 October 2017), the city was liberated by the People's Protection Units (YPG) and Women's Protection Units (YPJ) of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). For 7 years, the people in the city, where the "women's libertarian, democratic and ecological" paradigm prevailed, mobilised against the attacks that intensified in the region.

 

Xewla Ibrahim Îsa, a member of the Raqqa Women's Assembly, who witnessed the periods of the city both before and after ISIS, stated that in the last 7 years, the people have governed themselves within the Autonomous Administration.

 

CHANGE WITH THE AUTONOMOUS ADMINISTRATION

 

Stating that the lives of women in the city were also difficult before ISIS, Xewla İbrahim Îsa pointed out that women lived in the shadow of men in the houses where women were imprisoned, but this picture became even darker after ISIS occupied the city.

 

"Because ISIS was directly targeting women. After the occupation, firstly, women's education was left incomplete. Then their existing rights were also taken away from them," she said.

 

Stating that women played an important role in the liberation of the city, Xewla İbrahim Îsa said: "The Autonomous Administration gave women a place in all levels of administration. Especially women took part in administrative institutions and unique institutions were opened. Thus, women also played a role in the liberation of society. The value of women in society increased and they really became the face of the new life. Women took part in demonstrations, conferences and congresses."

 

DEMOCRATIC NATION PROJECT

 

Xewla İbrahim Îsa pointed out that with the democratic nation project, peoples of different identities have built a coexistence and said that one of Turkey's attacks is directed against this democratic nation life. Stating that people are not wanted to live in peace, Xewla İbrahim Îsa emphasised the importance of fighting together against the attacks.

 

MA / Ceylan Şahinli