Rukayya Ali Ali fled ISIS along with her family and sought refuge in Hesekê. She was influenced by the notions of equality, fraternity and women’s liberation developed by the Rojava revolution in Hesekê and she joined the self-defense force HPC, and then later on the Asayish forces. With the launch of the Operation Cizire Storm and the liberation of some areas, a Deir ez-Zor Asayish has de facto been founded and Rukayya Ali Ali is on duty there.

ANF met Rukayya in the camp the civilians fleeing ISIS and regime territories are staying at in Deir ez-Zor and listened to her story.

Rukayya said she is happy to take part in the defense of the people as a woman from Deir ez-Zor and that she wants to be an example for the women of Deir ez-Zor.

Let’s listen to Rukayya Ali Ali on her experience.

“I HAD TO LEAVE SCHOOL”

“I am from the Cubeyl precinct of Deir ez-Zor. In 2011, I started to study French Literature in Hesekê, but that year the conflict broke out in our country. There were popular uprisings against the Asad regime. The people also suffered in the clashes between the Regime and the FSA. Later on, our precinct came under FSA control. Pressuring of women started to increase. I continued my studies for one year, then I couldn’t go anymore. After that, ISIS took control of our precinct. The FSA members turned into ISIS members later on.

"WE COULDN’T BREATHE IN DEIR EZ-ZOR"

There was so much pressure against women. We couldn’t even go out the door anymore, let alone study. They issued many laws for women, as if being female was a crime. They decided everything about us. We couldn’t breathe in Deir ez-Zor anymore.

I couldn’t take it. As women we didn’t have perfect unlimited freedom before, but it was much better than the Jabhat Al-Nusra and ISIS periods.

We had heard that it was much different in Hesekê and Rojava, so I suggested to my family that we get out of there. One night, the whole family fled and we arrived in Hesekê and settled in.

"DEFENSE MEANT MORE TO ME THAN SCHOOL"

I continued to study French Literature in Hesekê for another year. But for me, my studies started to lose meaning. ISIS didn’t leave our peoples and women living in equality here alone either. There were constant attacks on the revolution that allowed women and peoples to live in freedom and equality. There were occasional attacks with guns and explosions.

Women here could take part in the YPJ, the Asayish security forces and the self-defense forces. These also influenced me. After a year of studies, I quit school.

I wanted to be able to defend myself, my family and my country. That is why I joined the self defense forces. I have been on duty in the Asayish for 7 months.

ON OPERATION FOR TWO MONTHS

When the Operation Cizire Storm launched, the asayish forces fought alongside the SDF forces. I got very excited when the operation started. Deir ez-Zor was to be liberated after Raqqa.

The pain of the people in Deir ez-Zor would end, and they would get the chance to know a new life. That is why I joined the operation forces. Today, Deir ez-Zor also has a de facto Asayish. With the operation, our lands are being liberated. And with them, we are organizing domestic security step by step.

"I WANT TO BE AN EXAMPLE FOR THE WOMEN OF DEIR EZ-ZOR"

Today as a woman from Deir ez-Zor, I want to be an example for other women from here. During the regime era, we could be doctors, lawyers, nurses or teachers. But there was always a limit. We couldn’t join the defense forces for example.

Today I am on duty in this operation. My will and and confidence as a woman get stronger every day. I know other women have this power too. The women in Deir ez-Zor are always so happy when they see us and the YPJ fighters

"THERE WAS AS MUCH REGIME CRUELTY AS ISIS"

Anybody who calls themselves human in this world should help the people of Deir ez-Zor who have suffered greatly under ISIS on one hand and the regime on the other. For example, our precinct is now under regime control. Like we fled our precinct because of ISIS cruelty, now we can’t return because of the regime’s. The regime jets bomb civilians too as they advance. They enter the houses in person as well, and torture the locals.

Here we are serving the women who have fled the ISIS and regime atrocities and the people. Every day, thousands flee the regime’s cruelty and arrive in our territory. The resources are very limited, our people are having a hard time. Most of the time, we even give up our own meals for them. We have put our lives and our means on the line for them. But it’s not enough. Winter is coming, and urgent help is needed.