Sara, an organisation active in northern and eastern Syria to combat violence against women, has condemned the beheading of Arab journalist Manal Saleh al-Misel, saying that the crime is a barbaric act directed against all women.
Sara, an organisation active in northern and eastern Syria to combat violence against women, has strongly condemned the brutal killing of Arab journalist Manal Saleh al-Misel. "This barbaric act shows once again the shameful character of the misogynist and patriarchal mentality we are resisting," said a statement by the association on Sunday, which was read out at rallies in Qamishlo, Ain Issa, Kobanê and Hesekê. The activists spoke of a "bestial crime" and a "brutal and cold-blooded approach", whose perpetrators must be held accountable in any case.
Manal Saleh al-Misel was 22 years old and came from a village in Deir ez-Zor. There she worked for the press office of the women's committee belonging to the Civil Council for the eastern Syrian Region. On Friday, her decapitated body was found in a ruined house in the town of Muhaimida, west of Deir ez-Zor. The internal security forces (Asayish) have started an investigation, but there is no trace of the perpetrator(s).
However, the manner of the murder and the political identity of Manal Saleh al-Misel point to an act by ISIS sleeper cells. Beheadings are among the typical "exemplary punishments" of the terrorist militia, which are intended to intimidate political opponents. Women in particular are wanted silenced in this way. This was also pointed out by the organisation Sara on Sunday; “Through misogynistic violence, which is one of the central components of ISIS ideology, women who stand up for their rights are wanted silenced. The strong will of women cannot be broken by acts like the murder of Manal. On the contrary, our liberation struggle is being fought harder than ever."
