For ten years, the HSBN (Haylawotho d’Sutoro d’Neshe d’Beth Nahrin) has existed as the first all-female combat unit of Christian women in North-East Syria. On Sunday, the defense unit, which calls itself Beth Nahrin, the Syriac word for “Mesopotamia”, which lies between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and is a component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), celebrated its anniversary.
The HSBN was founded on August 30, 2015, as an autonomous women’s protection force affiliated with the Syriac Military Council (Mawtbo Folhoyo Suryoyo, MFS) in Tirbespiyê (arab. al-Qahtaniyya). At the beginning, they consisted of a few dozen women, who were supported in building their structures not only by the MFS but also by the Sutoro (autonomous security forces of the Syriacs). They have played an important role in numerous offensives against ISIS, including in Hol, Hesekê, Raqqa and Shaddadi. Their existence is equally crucial in the defense of North-East Syria against Turkish-Jihadist invasion. However, the HSBN is not only composed of members of Christian minorities. In addition to Syriac, Assyrian and Armenian women, a number of Kurdish women are also fighting in the association.
Beth Nahrain Women’s Protection Forces held a ceremony celebrating their 10th anniversary at the Paradays Stadium in Qamishlo.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), Internal Security Forces, Women’s Defense Units (YPJ), women’s organizations, representatives of religious institutions, political parties, civil society organizations, and many citizens.
Speaking on behalf of the Beth Nahrain Women’s Protection Forces, Elhoro Nûr stated that the struggle is not only against the enemy but also against the oppression and chains imposed on women, stating: “Ten years later, we proudly say that obstacles do not stop us; on the contrary, a new resistance is created in wars.”
Elhoro Nûr emphasized that women played a leading role in protecting both their land and their identity, saying, “We took part in the resistance against terrorism from Shaddadi to Hol, from Raqqa to many other regions.”
Sheza Xerîb, head of the Qebri Heyûrî Military Defense Department, commemorated the martyrs and reiterated their commitment to following in their footsteps.
Corcêt Bersomo, President of the Syrian Women’s Union, saluted the courage and determination of the female fighters.
YPJ commander Viyan Adar said, “Through the resistance of Syriac, Armenian, Kurdish, Arab, and Assyrian women, a new, democratic, and multicolored Syria is being built.”
Rohat Xelîl, Co-Chair of the Cizîrê Canton Women’s Committee, also commemorated the martyrs and reiterated their commitment to build a future based on justice and honor.