Bethnahrin Women’s Protection Force celebrates 8th anniversary, reflects on their crucial role in securing homeland

NORTH AND EAST SYRIA — On the occasion of the 8th anniversary of the establishment of the Bethnahrin Women’s Protection Forces (Ḥaylawotho d’Sutoro d’Neshe d’Beth Nahrin, HSNB), our newsdesk had the privilege of sitting down with HSNB leader Simel for an in-depth conversation on their remarkable journey and the pivotal role they’ve played in securing the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) communities and the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) homeland of Beth Nahrin (Mesopotamia).

Reflecting on the foundation of HSNB, Simel emphasized that its inception was driven by a twofold mission: to bolster the strength of Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) women in the realm of defense and to galvanize their active involvement in safeguarding the territories of North and East Syria against the menace of the Islamic State (ISIS).

Simel underscored the imperative of women’s participation, a response borne out of the dire threat that ISIS posed to the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) community and its ancestral domains within Syria. In the face of this peril, the formation of HSNB was a resolute step towards thwarting the potential for further devastation within the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) heartland.

Detailing the significant strides made, Simel highlighted the multifaceted training initiatives that have been offered to Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) women and HSNB members. The convergence of military and intellectual training has nurtured a dynamic force poised to effectively respond to the challenges at hand.

Turning to the organization’s active participation in pivotal military endeavors, Simel recounted their unwavering involvement in campaigns such as Raqqa and Shaddadi, among others, all aimed at confronting and neutralizing the ISIS threat.

As the Bethnahrin Women’s Union celebrates its 8th anniversary, the steadfast commitment and relentless dedication of its members underscore the significance of their contribution to the defense and preservation of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) heritage in North and East Syria.