Women’s self-defense symposium organized in Zalin, North and East Syria, by Syriac women’s security and civic institutions

ZALIN, North and East Syria — The Beth Nahrin Women’s Protection Force (Ḥaylawotho d’Sutoro d’Neshe d’Beth Nahrin, HSNB) and Sutoro Women, in collaboration with the Syriac Women’s Union (SWU), organized a symposium titled Women’s Self-Defense: A Legitimate Right Towards Freedom in the Armenian Charitable Society Hall in Zalin (Qamishli), North and East Syria. The event brought together representatives from civil, military, and security institutions under the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES).

In an interview with Syriac Press, Ilham Matli, a member of the Council of Directors of the Syriac Women’s Union, explained that the first segment of the symposium focused on the role of Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) women in society. She emphasized the need to strengthen Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) women’s presence in all fields, including international forums, promoting the Syriac language, and supporting efforts to curb the emigration of Syriacs (Arameans–Assyrians–Chaldeans) while preserving their cultural identity.

Ninurta, the administrative director of Sutoro Women in Hasakah, highlighted the second segment, which explored the role of Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) women in the security forces. She noted how women have evolved through history to defend themselves, their land, and their people.

Roxanne Muhammad, spokesperson for the Women’s Protection Units (Yekîneyên Parastina Jin), stressed the importance of holding seminars on women’s self-defense, pointing out that women are often the most affected by the region’s challenges. She praised the women of North and East Syria for defending their culture, heritage, and land against the Islamic State (ISIS) and the Turkish occupation army. Muhammad underscored that women, empowered and organized into their own military and security forces, no longer rely on others for protection.

The symposium also featured a video presentation on the military and security role of women, showcasing the contributions of the HSNB and Sutoro Women in counter-terrorism efforts and maintaining security in the region.