The Women's Defense Units (YPJ) were founded on April 4, 2013. The nine-year anniversary was celebrated today, Sunday, in the town of Shaddadi in Hesekê Canton.

Sozdar Dêrik, a member of the YPJ General Command, delivered a speech in which she congratulated all fighting women as well as Abdullah Öcalan, the martyrs of the revolution and their families on the anniversary. The commander pointed out that April 4 is also the birthday of Abdullah Öcalan and that he had contributed significantly to the emergence of the YPJ as an organized self-defense force of women.

Sozdar Dêrik elaborated on the principles of the YPJ in her speech, saying that there are many reasons for women to fight in northeastern Syria and around the world: "That is why we have established our own units and made it our mission to defend all women. In doing so, we are also fighting for society as a whole. We insist on the philosophy of a free society and will continue to work to build a democratic nation."

The YPJ were inspired by the centuries-old women's struggles against oppression when they were founded, Sozdar Dêrik continued: "Even today, fighting women around the world and especially the guerrilla fighters in the mountains of Kurdistan are an inspiration for us. We say this to all women; we will increase the fight and continue to fight without interruption. Fighting together with so many women against the enemy makes us proud."

A military ceremony was held at the celebration, after which there was dancing in long lines and a tree was planted.