We are all YPJ! Self-defense is our natural right

The Joint Platform of Women’s Movements and Organisations in Rojava, are launching a campaign in support of the Women’s Protection Units YPJ.

For more information see:
https://kongra-star.org/eng/2026/04/26/campaign-in-support-of-the-womens-protection-units-ypj/

Ruksen Mohammed, spokesperson of YPJ talking to Medya Haber TV, emphasizing

📌YPJ will continue its struggle until gaining official recognition
📌YPJ is a force for all women of Syria
📌The YPJ has proven its professionalism in the fight against ISIS

Women from all over the Middle East showing their support for YPJ

A delegation from the Middle East Jineoloji Academy visited the Women's Protection Units (YPJ) headquarter, delivering messages from women across the Middle East. The messages expressed their support for YPJ and their commitment to defending it. With its knowledge and organisation, YPJ had a significant impact on women around the world. Therefore, today everyone sees it as their moral duty to support it.

The campaign "We are all YPJ! Self-defense is our natural right" was launched two days ago and among other things aims to ensure the existence of YPJ in the new Syrian army.

#WeAreAllYPJ

To all voices and messages that have expressed their support and appreciation for women’s struggle against extremism:

We express our profound gratitude for every sincere word of solidarity that has accompanied our journey, and for every stance that has recognized the depth of the experience we have undergone in defending humanity, land, and dignity.

Our experience in the Women’s Protection Units has not been a conventional choice; rather, it has been a response to a harsh reality imposed by difficult circumstances, in which women found themselves compelled to stand at the heart of the defense equation, not at its margins. We have carried this responsibility to protect life and our communities’ right to exist freely and safely, in the face of forces that sought to strip human beings of their humanity and identity.

We affirm that our struggle has never been for war; rather, it has always been—and will continue to be—for the protection of life and for opening the path toward a just peace. The weapon we carried was a last resort, but our ultimate goal is to build a democratic society founded on equality and justice, in which women are full partners in decision-making. We firmly believe that all peoples, regardless of their ethnicity or culture, are equal in dignity and rights, and that diversity is not a threat but a human value that enriches societies and strengthens their unity. Without respecting and protecting this diversity, no genuine peace project can succeed.

We also stress the necessity of safeguarding freedom of belief and the dignity of religions without discrimination or exclusion. Coexistence among different religions is the foundation of social stability, and any violation of this principle constitutes an assault on all humanity. We strive for a future in which all beliefs are respected and in which individuals are treated according to their humanity, not their affiliations.

We regard every message of support as a continuation of this struggle, and we believe that the strength of women lies not only in their ability to confront challenges, but also in their capacity to rebuild society and break cycles of violence. With regard to the future of our role, we emphasize that any step toward stability must ensure recognition of our experience, preserve the achievements made possible through the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs, and guarantee the effective participation of women in all institutions of defense and decision-making, within a framework that ensures justice and safeguards the dignity of all.

We continue our struggle—not for war, but to end it; not for power in itself, but for a free and safe life for all peoples.

Glory to freedom
Glory to women
Peace to our peoples

General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ)

28-04-2026

Yesterday, a delegation from the Jineoloji Academy in the Middle East—comprising women from several countries (Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen)—delivered a message of support and solidarity, with deep appreciation and respect, for the campaign announced by the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ). During the visit, the academy emphasized that this message embodies the transnational unity of women’s struggle.

On this occasion, the General Command of the Women’s Protection Units stated the statement above.

We remember Zilan Kobane, from the city of Kobane. As a Kurdish woman, Comrade Zilan Kobani found her identity within the ranks of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ). She firmly believed that society cannot be free unless women are liberated. Her struggle against occupation was also a revolution against the patriarchal mindset that sought to break women’s will.

On April 20, 2026 Comrade Zilan Kobani joined the ranks of the immortal after a military incident.

We bow our head in front of her struggle and remember her with great respect.

On the occasion of first of May, the international workers day, we as YPJ Information Center congratulate and honour all workers, men and women, who are fighting and have fought for a just system free from exploitation.

We are all YPJ

Somali writer and activist Leila Jama sends a message of ongoing support to the Women’s Protection Units.

🔴 emphasising that the experience of YPJ represents a profound shift in the role of women, from being affected by conflict to taking action to redefine the concepts of protection and participation.
🔴criticising the transitional government’s refusal to recognise the role of women within defence institutions, arguing that this reflects a systematic exclusion that does not negate the fact that the presence of women in protection roles is a fundamental necessity, not a marginal option.
🔴noting that what the Women’s Protection Units have achieved is a genuine model based on awareness and organisation, which requires protection and development, not marginalisation or abolition, particularly given the risks of women’s roles being diminished during transitional phases.
🔴making it clear that support for the Women’s Protection Units would not be merely symbolic, but would translate into campaigns and platforms to advocate for their right to continue, emphasising that their presence is a cornerstone of any future that seeks justice and stability.

CALL FOR ACTION

On 26 April the Campaign "We are all YPJ! Self-defense is our natural right" was launched. Since then messages from women all over the world have reached us, expressing their support for YPJ.
There are several ways to support the campaign in order to ensure the existence of YPJ.

Take a look at:
https://womendefendrojava.net/en/we-are-all-ypj-selfdefence-is-our-natural-right/

and take action.

Follow our new Account on Instagram.
And share with your friends and family.