On 19 July, the Rojava Revolution celebrated its eleventh anniversary. It created a democratic alternative and broke the backbone of the Islamic State, which was supported in particular by Turkey. Countless people have died or been injured in this struggle. Siwar Rojdem is one of these disabled fighters. He lost both his legs when the village of Til Hamam was liberated from ISIS hands. Despite this painful experience, he remains committed and continues his involvement in the revolution.

In the footsteps of his fallen relatives

Siwar Rojdem is from Til Temir and got to know the YPG (People’s Defense Units) through the revolution in Rojava. When the YPG set up a checkpoint nearby, his relationship with the fighters began. He kept bringing them wood and fuel so they could warm up in the cold, damp northern Syrian winter. This quickly became an excuse to visit the fighters. Through the impression the group made on him and their interactions with one another, he became curious about the ideas of apoism and began to study Öcalan's ideology. Many members of his family joined the YPG during the revolution. He himself also wanted to join, but was rejected because many close relatives were already fighting in the People's Defense Units. He therefore continued to work as a car mechanic and in this way contributed to the revolution by repairing vehicles damaged at the front. When he heard about the death of his cousin in Xeybîş and shortly afterwards about the death of his brother, he couldn't be stopped. He armed himself and left for the front.

First war experience in Xeybîş

At the forefront, Rojdem fought for the first time in Xeybîş. He was not only involved in direct combat, but also responsible for the management of ammunition. While many places in the area had already been liberated by this point, some were still under ISIS occupation. At that time, the Martyr Gelhat offensive to liberate the villages around Kobanê and the Martyr Rûbar Qamişlo offensive to liberate the villages in Cizîrê had started.

He participated in the latter. He said: “We liberated two or three villages a day. We had advanced to Mount Evdilezîz. We had many casualties in the Martyr Rûbar offensive and swore to avenge them. I had realized my dream by taking part in the offensive as a commander and gunner of a DShK gun. Şehîd Rojdem, my cousin, was a DShK rifleman. I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I always wanted to take part in the fighting as a DShK gunner and the friends gave me Martyr Rojdem's gun for this purpose.”

ISIS-mine tears off both of Rojdem's legs

Rojdem said about the day of his injury: “Heval Ednan and I were staying in the village of Til Hamam. We were awaiting repairs to my gun, which had been damaged in combat, and had taken up defensive positions with Heval Ednan's gun. We had liberated many villages in the region, but many villagers didn't know us and continued to support ISIS. At the same time, many mercenaries hid in the houses, waiting for an opportunity to attack. Because of the summer heat, Ednan and I stood in the shade of a house wall next to the DShK pickup and observed the surroundings. The friends had also brought my DShK in the morning. I was relieved to see that it was ready to fight. Some of the friends had also come that day. We started digging trenches. In the meantime, people on motorbikes approached us from afar. When they reached us, we asked them why they had come; they said they were unable to take their belongings with them after ISIS occupied their homes and wanted to get their belongings. We warned them about the mines laid by the mercenaries and told them not to come until the houses were cleared of mines. The group did not stay long in the village. After loading their things, they drove off again. Then another motorbike, a man and a child on it, drove towards us, but this time we had seen the motorbike's owner several times in the village of Xeybîş and did not let him into his house because he aroused our suspicions. Ednan and I went to the house the man pointed to instead. We searched the first room. As we headed for the second room, my inner voice told me not to open that door. I was relieved when Heval Ednan didn't touch the door. He opened the door to the third room, which was clean. He was now moving toward the door of the second room, but I still felt uncomfortable. Heval Ednan opened the door and I was thrown against the wall by the blast of the explosion. I later learned that Heval Ednan had died. I was unharmed. But another mine exploded as I stood up and took a step. I opened my eyes and suddenly found myself in the hospital. The pressure and medication I was given in the hospital left me disoriented and at times wondering why I was even there. I kept falling asleep.”

The struggle goes on

Rojdem continued: “When I came to my senses again, 26 days had passed. I opened my eyes, lifted the blanket and saw that both of my legs were amputated above the knee. I could not believe it. I covered my legs and uncovered them again. I repeated this for a long time. Finally, I lay back down and closed my eyes. The question of how my life should go on was in my head all the time. My family and close friends around me noticed my insecurity. One day, I was visited by two friends who had also lost both legs above the knee. That day changed my life. I saw their continued dedication to the struggle and the community. After two and a half months, we shook hands as three living martyrs and left the hospital together.”