The Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) announced the martyrdom of one of their fighters, Berçem Kobani, as a result of an aerial attack by a Turkish armed drone on December 1.

“We honor her memory and the memory of all the martyrs of the revolution for freedom and humanity with the utmost respect and reverence. We extend our condolences to her patriotic family and to our noble people,” said the YPJ statement, which includes the following:

“The Rojava Revolution was established through great sacrifices. Hundreds of our comrades have been martyred in resistance and struggle, in addition to the thousands of wounded warriors who sacrificed parts of their bodies for freedom. Our heroic people have shown unwavering solidarity with the revolution and displayed remarkable resistance against all acts of occupation and massacres. Our comrade Berçem understood this reality in her youth, growing up on the stories of heroic martyrs and wounded comrades. What deeply moved her and motivated her to join the revolution was the profound truth embodied in the living martyrs—the wounded comrades of war.

The Turkish fascist state, in its criminal brutality, launched savage attacks on areas of legitimate defense. Through chemical weapon assaults, comrades from the Kurdistan Freedom Guerrillas were martyred. Our comrade Berçem Kobani stood in rage and defiance against these atrocities. Unable to accept this barbarity against the guerrilla fighters, and driven by a desire to avenge these attacks by the fascist Turkish occupiers and their mercenaries, she embraced the philosophy and ideology of Leader Apo, inspired by the spirit of Kobani’s resistance.

Berçem was born into a patriotic family in Kobani. She was raised with a culture of resistance, which she inherited from her family, and she lived her life according to this foundation. Growing up amid the war, she became a child of the revolution, evolving into a brave and dedicated revolutionary.

After joining the ranks of the revolution, Berçem took an active role in organizing young women. With great joy and enthusiasm, she engaged in organizational and intellectual training work. She consistently led youth, especially young women, emphasizing self-training according to Leader Apo’s philosophy while sharing this knowledge with others.

Berçem Kobani was known for her spirited and lively personality, spreading joy and vitality wherever she went. She strove to embody her true identity as a young woman. In her revolutionary life and in every domain, from discipline and organization to thought, practice, and determined action, she firmly adhered to the philosophy of Leader Apo, making her a true example of Apoist militancy.

After working in the Young Women’s Movement, Berçem joined the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), bringing with the experiences she had gained. Within our ranks, she played a significant role, characterized by her bravery, sacrifice, humility, and dedication to Apoist militancy. She successfully fulfilled her duties and responsibilities, becoming an example for her comrades.

The occupying Turkish state, with its fascist and tyrannical ideology, targets the Rojava Revolution, which is inherently a women’s revolution. This is because the revolution fosters a free Kurdish identity, a free human being, a free woman, and a free society—principles that transcend the borders of Rojava and spread to the entire world. To defeat our revolution, it engages in inhumane and immoral attacks, disregarding all international laws. It particularly targets pioneering women and revolutionary women. On December 1, the occupying Turkish state carried out an aerial drone attack, resulting in the martyrdom of our comrade Berçem Kobani.

In this revolution for freedom, hundreds of our female fighters have become great heroines, like Shilan, Arin, Avesta, and Barin. Today, on the most difficult battlefronts, the values of the martyrs are being upheld, and an unprecedented battle against the dominant patriarchal mindset continues.

We once again extend our condolences to the family of our beloved comrade and affirm that, as the Women’s Defense Units (YPJ), we will honor the memory of Berçem in our struggle. We vow to remain loyal to her legacy, realize her dreams, and carry the torch of struggle she passed to us toward victory.

We will avenge our martyrs against all invaders and the enemies of humanity. We will take revenge for all the struggling women aspiring for freedom, who endure hardships and violence, by achieving the global victory of the women’s revolution.”

The identity information of the fallen YPJ fighter is as follows:

Name and Surname: Zeyneb Muhammed

Nom de Guerre: Berçem Kobani

Mother’s Name: Amira Mamo

Father’s Name: Mustafa Mohammed

Date of Martyrdom: 01/12/2024