Solidarity campaign with Women’s Defense Units of the YPJ (Yekîneyên Parastina Jin)

At a time of growing attacks on women’s liberation in the region, the dissolution of the YPJ into state structures poses a serious threat to women’s rights and safety. Join our open call and campaign for protecting the YPJ!

Current developments

In December 2024, after more than 50 years, the Assad family’s rule was replaced by Ahmed al-Sharaa and his HTS forces. Since then, the government has been led by former al-Qaeda and ISIS members. Under pressure from the U.S. and amid threats of war from the new Syrian government, an agreement was reached for the first time on March 10, 2025, between the autonomous administration in the northeast and the new Syrian president. Due to a disagreement, there was no mention of the YPJ women’s units in this contract.

Before the agreement expired, in January 2026, instead of a peaceful settlement, a military offensive was launched against the Democratic Self-Administration, ultimately forcing an agreement on January 29. Thus, the Self-Administration is to be integrated step by step into the Syrian state. However, it remains unclear how the women’s structures and the YPJ will find their place within this reactionary government. The achievements of the Democratic Revolution in Rojava must be defended by all supporters throughout the integration process in order to preserve them. Kongra Star and the YPJ made it clear that the YPJ is a red line and that its preservation under its own leadership is non-negotiable.

The defense minister refused to comply with the demand that the YPJ be affiliated with the Ministry of Defense. Thus, on August 31, it was agreed that the YPJ would be affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior for the purpose of counterterrorism. However, questions remain as to whether the units will be allowed to govern themselves or whether they will gradually be dissolved.

How to support?

1. Sign our open letter here: https://tally.so/r/WOWdRv

2. Take Action by recording solidarity videos and posts under the Hashtag #WeAreAllYPJ

3. Organize events and lectures in solidarity with YPJ

Our demands:

1. Recognition of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) within the Syrian Ministry of
Defense.
2. Recognition and protection for all women’s institutions in Northeast Syria.
3. An end to normalization and negotiations with the Syrian government led by economical interests from foreign states while ignoring the human rights violations in Syria
4. An independent United Nations investigative mission focusing on rights violations
against women by the Syrian government.

Further questions? Feel free to contact us via Mail (info@peoples-bridge.org).

Would you like more information? Find our dossier on the campaign underneath