On 15 October, the Zenûbiya Women’s Community center in the town of Abu Hamam in the Deir ez-Zor Canton was attacked. As a result of the attack, the community building caught fire and was damaged.
Members of the Zenûbiya Women’s Community Council in Deir ez-Zor gathered in front of their center in the city of Kisra and made a statement, which was read by Council Spokesperson Seher El Mistefa.
The community described the attack as “a new attempt by dark forces to spread fear among women and silence their free voices.”
The statement emphasized the role of women in North and East Syria: “The women of North and East Syria, especially those in Deir ez-Zor, have proven their ability to resist and rebuild their region. Women stood at the frontlines in the battles to liberate the region from ISIS terror and became martyrs. The blood of the martyrs will remain a torch lighting the path of the Zenûbiya Women’s Community.”
It continued: “Targeting this center means targeting every free woman working to build a democratic society; it is also an attempt to break the will of organized women.”
The statement added that members of the Zenûbiya Women’s Community would not bow to fear or intimidation, but would continue their efforts to organize, educate, and ensure women’s participation in all fields. They pledged to continue their struggle until a free and democratic society is established.
The statement also called on all organizations, civil society groups, tribal leaders, opinion leaders, intellectuals, and civic institutions to stand against attempts to create discord and to support women in the face of systematic attacks.