The General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) announced that two of their fighters, Arjin Marwan and Zeinab Walat, were martyred in the Battle of Qereqozaq against the mercenaries of the invading Turkish state. The two fighters, it said, fought bravely until they achieved martyrdom.

The YPJ statement includes the following:

“On November 27, the Turkish mercenary forces in Syria began to mobilize. As a result, the centralized Baath regime collapsed. However, the mercenaries continued their attacks, assaults, torture, looting, and killings. In response to this situation, the People’s Protection Units (YPG) in northern and eastern Syria confronted the attacks and displayed remarkable resistance, particularly on the frontlines of Qereqozaq and the Tishrin Dam. There, our freedom fighters faced numerous air and ground assaults from the Turkish state and its mercenaries. Despite this, they remained confident and determined to protect their revolution.

Our comrades Zeinab Walat and Arjin Rashid Marwan fell as martyrs on December 8 as a result of a drone attack by the fascist Turkish state.

Barfin Mohammed, known by her nom de guerre Arjin Rashid Marwan, and Zeinab Mohammed, known as Zeinab Walat, were two freedom-fighting women who sacrificed their lives to defend their land and homeland against the mercenary attacks of the fascist Turkish state on the Qereqozaq front. They gave their lives for equality, the unity of peoples, and contributed to a significant struggle.

Martyr Zeinab Walat was born in the city of resistance, Kobani, and was introduced to the struggle for freedom at a young age. The epics of the martyrs of the Kobani resistance inspired every moment of her life, making the love of freedom a cornerstone of her existence. Influenced by her family’s participation in the freedom struggle and the sacrifices they made, she joined the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) in 2022.

Our comrade Zeinab Walat’s heart was filled with a burning desire for revenge against all forms of attacks and occupations on her homeland. She remained steadfast in her belief in freedom and the unity of peoples until the end. Guided by the philosophy of leader Abdullah Öcalan, she strengthened her resolve and worked tirelessly to develop herself. In a short time, she embodied the principles of militancy and walked the path of a free woman who does not submit, holding her head high with pride and rejecting occupation and colonialism. She lived a dignified life, aware that life holds no value without freedom and honor. For her, life had to be lived freely or sacrificed in the pursuit of freedom. With unwavering courage, she struck significant blows against the enemy in the great battle of Qereqozaq.

Comrade Arjin Rashid Marwan hailed from Afrin and was born into a patriotic family. As a member of the Afrin community, she deeply understood the meaning of land and patriotism. When events unfolded in the region, she chose, as a young woman, to take responsibility and join the revolution.

Comrade Arjin Marwan built her revolutionary journey following in the footsteps of her uncle, the martyr Walat Afrin, who fought against occupation in the free mountains during the 1990s and was martyred there, and her cousin, the martyr Walat Erish, who was martyred in 2013. Arjin participated in all stages of the revolutionary struggle, including the war to liberate Shahba, the Resistance of the Age, and the Resistance of Dignity. She played her role as a skilled militant fighter and specialized in the arts of war. Constantly reflecting on the reality of war and enemy attacks, she worked tirelessly to develop herself in all fields of combat, particularly as a mine-clearing expert, enabling her to resist the enemy under any circumstances.

Comrade Arjin possessed a humble and sociable personality, always standing by her comrades. She embraced revolutionary life and taught it in detail to others. As such, camaraderie and revolutionary principles were always at the forefront for her. She pursued her struggle with radical determination, never compromising her principles. She fought not only physically against the enemy but also waged an unwavering war against the system’s influences. Like thousands of immortal martyrs before her, she etched her name in the pages of national heroes who can never be forgotten.

We remember our free martyrs with gratitude and pride. We extend our condolences to the families of our comrades Arjin Rashid Marwan and Zeinab Walat, as well as to all our comrades. We vow to continue our struggle until the very end. During these days when our people face immense attacks and hardships, particularly the brutal and savage assaults targeting women, we will persist in our resistance for freedom to the very end. We will demand historical accountability for all the attacks and invasions, and we will claim our rights from them.

We call on our patriotic people to stand by their fighters more than ever and to continue organizing themselves according to the philosophy of revolutionary people’s war. Time and again, we have proven that the life of freedom is inevitably victorious, and we will persist in this struggle until the very end. We will show the world our triumph once again. By doing so, we will deliver a powerful response befitting our heroic martyrs and avenge them, fulfilling their dreams.”

The identity information of the fallen fighters is as follows:

Name and Surname: Barfin Mohammed

Nom de Guerre: Arjin Rashid Marwan

Mother’s Name: Jihan

Father’s Name: Mustafa

Place and Date of Martyrdom: 08.12.2024 / Qereqozaq

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Name and Surname: Zeinab Mohammed

Nom de Guerre: Zeinab Walat

Mother’s Name: Fatima

Father’s Name: Fares

Place and Date of Martyrdom: 08.12.2024 / Qereqozaq