She took her name from the symbol of Kobanê resistance, Arin Mirkan. The young Êzîdî woman stated that ISIS gangs have lost their humanity and it is great moral support for them to be fighting among people who have different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

In the 73rd decree against Êzîdîs that began when the peshmergas abandoned Şengal, ISIS gangs captured 20 men and 12 Êzîdî women. Arin Mirkan and her captured friends endured the gangs’ tortures for 10 days before they escaped and reached Şengal Mountain to unite with their families. Mirkan decided that it was time for revenge and in her own words, she “joined the ‘hevals’ (comrades)” Mirkan calls on all young women to join YPJ.

SHE NAMED HERSELF ARİN MİRKAN AS SHE JOINED THE ‘HEVALS’

22 years old Êzîdî woman Arin Mirkan crossed borders as ISIS gangs were attacking Til Temir and joined YPJ ranks. She took her name from the symbol of Kobanê resistance Arin Mirkan who sacrificed her life in the Miştenur Hill resistance. Mirkan stated that ISIS gangs have lost their humanity and it is great moral support for them to be fighting among people who have different religious and ethnic backgrounds.

KDP FORCES DID NOT PROTECT

The war in Til Temir that began with the gangs’ occupation of Assyrian villages on February 23 continues violently. An Êzîdî woman in YPJ ranks is fighting the gangs in Til Temir and Serekaniyê with her comrades from Kurdish, Arabic, Assyrian and other backgrounds.

Like thousands of people from Şengal, her family was scattered around as the gangs invaded Şengal. Not knowing what to do, she tried to escape but failed. Without help or guidance, she was abandoned by KDP forces who were supposed be protecting her.

She was part of a group of captured civilians, 20 men and 12 women. They were put through physical and psychological torture for days and Mirkan states that what offended them the most and motivated them for an escape was “the gangs’ insults against Êzîdî religion and pressures for conversion to Islam.”

ESCAPE FROM THE GANGS

Mirkan stated that the 10 days she spent as a prisoner felt as heavy as 10 years, and described her escape in the following way: "We were lucky to escape, what about those who were left behind? KDP promised to protect us for years but the peshmergas were the first ones to escape and leave them behind at the hands of ISIS. This offended us a lot and every KDP promise was a lie. They sold out the Êzîdî people.

The gangs used physical, psychological and spiritual violence from the first day onwards. They said that were infidels and we had to convert. What they did has not human side to it, every moment we spent felt like years of wrath. We were worried the most by what could have happened to our relatives.

One night, an Êzîdî guard who had recently converted to Islam by force helped us escape. The guard said that he was converted by force and felt uneasy about our time there as prisoners. He helped us escape and we ran to the mountains.”

After their escape, Mirkan and other prisoners split up and reached Şengal Mountain. Mirkan stated that they did not mind the hunger and thirst that awaited them in the mountain because of the comfort of freedom from the gangs.

TIME FOR REVENGE

After escaping from the gangs and uniting with her family, Mirkan decided to join YPG-YPJ ranks. She is now seeking retribution for the gangs’ enslavement of thousands of people and act of selling women in markets. After her training, she went to Şengal to fight against the gangs. She later proposed to go to Til Temir when the gangs began to attack this town. As a YPJ fighter, she is now fighting in Til Temir to take revenge for the people of Şengal and all other oppressed peoples. 22 years old Arin Mirkan was shy but resilient when we met her on the battlefield in Til Temir.

'WE WILL SURELY OVERCOME'

Mirkan stated that the gangs attack women the most and have enslaved thousands of women to sell in markets. Mirkan emphasized that women aligned with Leader Apo carry out the greatest resistance against the gangs. As a person who grew up in Êzîdî society, she admits that she did not have much will or strength for most of her life.

After her participation in the struggle however, she feels empowered and has strengthened her will. Mirkan says that she receives great morale and strength from fighting alongside YPJ forces. Determined to overcome, Mirkan has sworn to take revenge for women, especially comrade Arin whose name she took on. Mirkan described her current life as communal and organized around shared values, and called on young women to join the YPJ in order to get rid of ISIS.