The General Command of the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) released a statement announcing the martyrdom of one of their fighters, Delila Dersim, on January 11, 2025, in an attack carried out by a reconnaissance drone of the Turkish state.
The YPJ statement includes the following:
“The people of Kurdistan, walking the path of revolution, have sacrificed many of their loyal and heroic sons and daughters, and to this day, many devoted men and women of this land continue to give their lives. Speaking about the martyrs of this sacred land, the Kurdish people’s leader says: “We hold on tightly to our martyrs and cherish their soil. With every martyrdom, a new pledge is given to us, and we reaffirm our vows with firm steps, continuing our struggle forward.”
As students of Leader Abdullah Öcalan and as loyal comrades of the heroic martyrs, we renew our pledge to our martyrs and declare:
The martyr is the guide of our path; the fruits of the sacrifices they made will lead us to victory, and we will embody the model of our leader, Öcalan.
In the same spirit, we, from Öcalan’s leadership and his beloved patriotic family, sincerely salute all the peoples who love freedom. In the heart of the revolution, nothing is wasted — everything holds value for us. With the testimony of every resistant and loyal woman standing at the forefront of honor and dignity, they participate in the shared struggle for freedom and equality.
Our comrade Delila Dersim (Nazan Ağırman), from the region of Mardin, was martyred on January 11, 2025, in an attack carried out by a reconnaissance drone belonging to the aggressive Turkish state.
We remember our comrade Delila with deep respect and gratitude, bowing before her greatness and sanctity. In her person, the spirit of all the martyrs of the revolution is embodied, and we reaffirm our loyalty to them. May the patriotic family of our comrade Dîlal be proud and honored — for she devoted her life, from the very beginning, to the struggle for freedom. She became a symbol of resistance in the Rojava Revolution and remains, to this day, a beacon of hope for women and for all humanity.
Comrade Delila, a Kurdish woman from a patriotic family in the city of Mardin, was born in 1989. The Ağırman family was known for its patriotic values and Kurdish culture. Her family grew up amid the existence and alienation of the Kurdish people and introduced her to the cause of freedom. It is a family that has played an important role since the rise of the Kurdish movement. Like all freedom-loving Kurds, they endured immense pressure from their enemies, and as a result, the family was forced into displacement.
Comrade Delila lived for many years devoted to the Kurdish homeland. Despite her distance from it and her life in the heart of the capitalist system, she never abandoned her culture or her language. Her dreams were always tied to her homeland. In 2009, she returned with her sister to fulfill her dream and reach the mountains of Kurdistan. Upon seeing her homeland, she participated with great enthusiasm in every activity and task, leading her comrades even in the most difficult situations.
Throughout her life, she was reborn time and again on this sacred land. She was a true fighter and a genuine leader, struggling tirelessly. Her nature was pure and transparent — like the deep sea carrying the essence of leadership within its depths.
Our comrade Delila, a leader of freedom, was self-sacrificing and courageous in battle. In every mission she undertook, she achieved undeniable success. She was always loyal to her leader and refused to accept any personal failure. Her thoughts were always in harmony with the ideals of a democratic and free society under the guidance of Öcalan.
After long years of continuous struggle, our comrade Delila moved from the mountains of freedom to Rojava Kurdistan, where she witnessed the unity of all Kurdistan and of all women.
In the most difficult moments, as a young woman, she devoted her life to raising the flags of the revolution and confronting the threat of ISIS against Rojava and all humanity. She was a flame of resistance against the aggressors. In the early stages, ISIS was partially defeated, but our comrade and her fellow fighters continued to confront the remaining threats. She fought as a warrior and led numerous operations — from Kobani to Raqqa — setting an example of commitment to the legacy of the martyrs.
Our comrade Delila’s battle at Tishrin Dam became a symbol of the united resistance of the revolutionary people — from the age of seven to seventy. Everyone who sacrificed themselves for their dignity and that of their people became a key to peace.
She was among the fighters who stood firm at Tishrin Dam and achieved victories in Mardin.
As the Women’s Protection Forces, we proudly uphold the heroic legacy of our people and vow never to stop our struggle until we achieve victory on this good and humane land. We will never abandon our free leader. Once again, we extend our greetings to the family of our comrade and to all oppressed peoples.”