Bethnahrin Women’s Union highlights role of women in national struggle and calls for end to Turkish attacks on North and East Syria

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — Title “Women’s Struggle is Path to Freedom of Society”, the Bethnahrin Women’s Union (Huyodo d’Neshe d’Bethnahrin, HNB) issued a statement on the struggle of Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) women in the homeland and diaspora. 

The HNB statement highlighted the history of women, their struggle, sacrifices, and their work in society and politics.

The statement stressed that Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) women participated in the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) struggle since ancient times.

The statement added that the Bethnahrin National Council (Mawtbo Umthoyo d’Bethnahrin, MUB) continues the cause of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people and follows the path of great Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) women throughout history, such as Zenobia, Shamiram, Theodora, and Ishtar. With the philosophy of MUB head Michael Naim Hadodu, the HNB follows the approach of those women who were leaders of the people.

The HNB statement added that Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) women have also played an important role in the military, citing the many women who joined the guerrilla forces that were stationed in the mountains of Iraq in 1990.

These women have been continuing the struggle in Syria as the Beth Nahrin Women’s Protection Force (Ḥaylawotho d’Sutoro d’Neshe d’Beth Nahrin, HSNB) since 2015.

The Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) women were also able to develop themselves within the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) in North and East Syria.

Concerning the Turkish encroachments, the HNB statement declared that it considers the Turkish attacks on Gozarto (Jazira) Region in North and East Syria as an attack on democracy and equality. The statement highlighted that Turkey specifically targets women.

On 22 July, three members of the Women’s Protection Units (Yekîneyên Parastina Jin, YPJ) — Anti-Terror Units (Yekîneyên Antî Teror, YAT) commander Jiyan Tohildan, YPJ commander Roj Xabûr, and YAT member Barîn Botan — were assassinated in a Turkish drone strike.

The HNB statement condemned the Turkish violations against the regions and peoples of North and East Syria.

“With the philosophy of free women, we will overcome all challenges,” the statement concluded.