The General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) released a statement on the occasion of World Kobane Day, November 1.

“We remember with deep reverence and respect all the martyrs of the heroic resistance of Kobane. We renew our pledge to carry forward the struggle on their path until we fulfill their hopes and aspirations of building a free tomorrow. We also salute everyone who supported the Kobane resistance and stood alongside the fighters against the brutality and oppression of ISIS mercenaries,” said the YPJ statement, which further included the following:

“In 2014, when a group of democratic academics called for November 1st to be a day of solidarity with the Kobane resistance, people and women from all social classes and groups around the world rose up to support this unparalleled resistance. The struggle spread from the streets, neighborhoods, and frontlines of Kobane to the entire world, as people understood that ISIS posed a threat not only to one nation but to all of humanity. ISIS represented the latest example of authoritarian patriarchy, an enemy of people and women alike. Women and people, therefore, recognized the urgent need for a strong, united struggle to confront this threat.

On November 1st, 2014, hearts and minds came together in every street and square worldwide—from Japan to Afghanistan and Iran, from Latin America to Australia, and from Europe to the Middle East—united in support of Kobane’s resistance. Kobane defended humanity’s freedom and dignity against slavery and occupation. Kurdish women and freedom fighters from the Kurdish community sacrificed their lives to combat the brutality of ISIS, proving to the world that when the human will is driven by a love for freedom, no weapon, enemy, or force can prevent victory.

On November 1st, chants of “Long live Kobane’s resistance” echoed worldwide as fighters from the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) delivered powerful blows to ISIS mercenaries, transforming this struggle into a global resistance. In this sense, November 1st is seen as a day of solidarity and unity of all people for freedom.

Today, on the tenth anniversary of this historic unity, we see an urgent need for people and women to unite in a joint struggle, as the capitalist system and occupying forces threaten human values and attack the achievements of the people. The danger of ISIS has not entirely disappeared; the fascist Turkish state spares no effort to keep ISIS mercenaries alive, resettling ISIS militias in occupied areas like Afrin, Serekaniye, Tel Abyad, Azaz, Idlib, and more recently, in South Kurdistan. This situation poses a grave threat to all peoples of the Middle East and the world, demanding vigilant monitoring and a firm stance in the spirit of Kobane’s resistance to put an end to the Turkish occupation and its mercenaries operating under various names.

As the Women’s Protection Units, we reaffirm our commitment to relentlessly safeguard and protect the rights and freedoms of women and people. We have complete confidence that this spirit will dismantle and end Turkey’s occupation of our lands. Therefore, we call upon all women and people to escalate their resistance and struggle against all forms of violence and occupation.”