The People’s Defense Forces (HPG) announced on 11 August that Commander Nureddin Sofi was martyred on 6 April 2021 during a visit to the HPG headquarters in the mountains of Kurdistan, in an attack by the occupying Turkish state.
Sipan Hemo, a member of the General Command of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and Newroz Ehmed, a member of the General Command of the Women’s Defense Units (YPJ), spoke to the YPG Press Center about Commander Nureddin Sofi’s personality and struggle.
Hemo said, “I have known comrade Sofi for 35 years. We met during the course of the Kurdish political movement in Syria and embarked together on a long journey of struggle in the mountains of Kurdistan. Those years, with their hardships and priceless moments, are unforgettable.”
Sipan Hemo said, “Even in the darkest conditions, Sofi was an inspiring commander who advanced within the ranks of the HPG with patience and unwavering faith. He was a unique commander who combined wisdom and courage, possessing rare qualities that earned him a place in our minds and hearts. Comrade Sofi’s personality cannot be summed up in a single word or sentence; it is beyond description. As all his struggles were known for the distinctive characteristics of the Apoist movement, combined with a deep belief in the cause and absolute loyalty to victory, he represented the very foundation of the revolutionary struggle.”
Hemo stated that Sofi was able to resist even under the harshest conditions and said: “Comrade Sofi was not only a fighter; he was a complete personality. He brought together within himself all the positive traits of a revolutionary fighter: resistance under the most difficult conditions, wisdom, loyalty, and courage. Despite his position as a commander, he engaged with us not through authority but through love and a sense of responsibility. He gathered his friends and the people around him, helping everyone without hesitation. With his gentle, beautiful, and kind words, he sowed hope in people’s hearts.”
Hemo said, “Everyone who met comrade Sofi felt as if they had known him for a long time. He was friendly even to children. Comrade Sofi was an invincible commander who always strove for victory, led in the most difficult battles, and turned hardships into opportunities for triumph.”
He added: “He took part in many battles on various fronts, demonstrating his exceptional ability to command military forces and his skill in making sound plans. He played a unique and important role in the Rojava Revolution. Alongside immortal figures such as Martyr Xebat and Martyr Rustem, he was among the first to lay the foundations of this revolution. He did not merely participate; he made history, laying the groundwork for a new phase of struggle in Syria.”
Hemo stated that Sofi’s presence was not symbolic and said, “Since 2013, comrade Sofi has been one of the leading figures in Rojava and has left a unique mark on all military and defense forces. His presence was not merely symbolic; he was one of the cornerstones in building a strategy that would lead to historic gains for the Kurdish people and all the peoples of the region.”
Hemo stated that they had learned many things from Martyr Sofi. He said, “From comrade Sofi, we learned how to build a free human being and a true revolutionary consciousness. He did not only teach us how to carry a weapon; he also taught us how to use our minds and how to shape a person who defends their values with awareness and responsibility.”
He also said: “Comrade Sofi understood quantum theory and its contradictions not as a rigid theory but as a philosophy of life. He did not study quantum theory for the sake of dry knowledge; he examined its contradictions in depth, analysed them, and drew important conclusions. He then placed this knowledge at the service of the revolution, the people, and President Öcalan. We began our journey in the Rojava Revolution together. At the beginning, comrade Sofi took it upon himself to struggle within the ranks of society. As the revolution progressed and the decision was made to engage in military struggle, we went together to the command centre, where we faced the most difficult conditions and the most complex moments. When the doors were closed and the roads blocked, it was always Sofi who opened a window for a solution.”
Hemo said, “It is very difficult for me to speak about comrade Sofi. We were together for a long time, and our revolutionary journeys were intertwined. He was more than a friend. Comrade Sofi was not an ordinary person; he was an extraordinary commander who combined ideas, art, and military experience. From the ranks of the military forces to leading strategic operations against ISIS, he was always on the front lines. He was a poet, an artist, and a social engineer who studied President Öcalan in depth and placed his ideas at the service of the people. I miss him and will carry him in my heart forever.”
A commander who fought with an unshakable will in the face of difficulties
Newroz Ehmed, member of the General Command of the YPJ, said: “I met comrade Sofi in the early days of the Rojava Revolution. At that time, during the building of the military forces, he was the commander of the region amid constant attacks on the local population. He had equipped himself with the ideology of President Öcalan. His presence was a real source of strength. Despite all the difficulties, he put his experience at the service of his people.”
Newroz Ehmed said, “To develop the revolution, he approached all tasks with great responsibility, listening to and taking into account everyone’s ideas. He raised everyone’s morale and instilled confidence in them. Yes, we were in a military struggle, but he was not a commander distant from the fighters. During the attacks on Serêkaniyê (Ras al-Ain) in particular, he visited them and boosted their morale.” She continuied: “In the early days of the revolution, there were attacks on many areas in the Cizire Canton. Despite the challenges of that period, Sofi created a positive spirit among the fighters and the people, lifted morale, and directly influenced everyone. During those battles, despite the fact that many forces were attacking us, he discussed the war with everyone and worked to develop appropriate tactics against these attacks. In the following operations, he took his place among them, and with the establishment of the SDF, he had a significant impact on the system and command of the military forces.”
Newroz Ehmed said: “He was in contact with all components of the region; Arabs, Syriacs, and Armenians. He held meetings with the people and the fighters, guiding the fighters attentively, from their appearance and discipline to their daily needs. He was a commander who was close to, ready for, and effective in every detail of the struggle; he cared about everyone. Comrade Sofi always brought something new to every discussion or meeting he organised. He had a cheerful spirit and a charismatic personality, which made everyone want to join his discussions and meetings. His presence was unusual; it was lively, and it encouraged those around him to want to participate to our struggle.”
Newroz Ehmed also drew attention to Martyr Sofi’s perspective on the women’s struggle and said: “Comrade Sofi had a clear and profound vision regarding the freedom of women. He believed that women’s struggles were part of the overall struggle for liberation. He would always say, ‘Women comrades continue their work, and I do not want to stand in their way.’ These were not just words; it was a determined stance, clearly visible in his constant support and constructive suggestions for the women’s struggle, especially within the ranks of the YPJ. He sought broader understanding and stronger support by conducting in-depth research on this matter. Especially within the leadership of the SDF, Sofi created a comfortable environment at the level of joint work, making collective work a productive experience. He encouraged us to research and develop, and he adhered to the principles of comradeship not as a slogan, but as a daily practice that reflected the foundation of relations between comrades.”
Newroz Ehmed said, “Sofi was a true commander. He was a people’s leader who did not recognise difficulties and faced them with unshakable determination. In the most difficult times, especially during the intense attacks on the regions of Afrin (Efrîn), Serêkaniyê, and Girê Spî (Tal Abyad), he was present with his thoughts and research. He did not distance himself from this suffering and did not ignore the pain of civilians martyred in the attacks.” Newroz Ehmed concluded her words as follows: “He was very sensitive about the responsibilities of leadership, because he knew that the answers we gave were not always sufficient for our people. For this reason, he never abandoned his search; on the contrary, he sought to overcome these setbacks and turn them into new victories. He did not settle for inaction; in every challenge he saw an opportunity for progress, and in every pain a seed of hope. His martyrdom has placed a great responsibility on us, and we will continue his work, remaining faithful to his spirit and his path.”