The 33rd anniversary of the founding of the women’s army was celebrated by guerrillas. Speaking at the commemorations and events organized in the Behdînan region, YJA-Star Military Council Commander Peyman Amed said that they bowed with respect before all the martyrs of Kurdistan and the women’s army, in the person of Commander Bêrîtan.
Commander Amed explained that Bêrîtan’s action in 1992 against the dominant male collaborationist line and traitorous forces paved the way for women’s militarization, saying, “Bêrîtan’s stance became a beginning for women guerrillas; for 33 years we have been struggling along her path.”
Commander Peyman Amed said: “Today marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of the great commander Bêrîtan (Gülnaz Karataş). We commemorate all the martyrs of Kurdistan and the martyrs of the women’s army in her name. We bow before all the martyrs of Kurdistan through her and the great commander Bêrîtan.
Today is also the 33rd anniversary of the founding of the women’s army. On this occasion, we salute Leader Abdullah Öcalan, the architect of this day and of the women’s army and movement. We also honor all the women martyrs and martyrs of the Kurdistan Freedom Movement. We salute the women fighting on the frontlines, the revolutionary women, the women of Kurdistan, and all mothers.”
Bêrîtan set an example as the first commander of the women’s army
Commander Amed continued: “Comrade Bêrîtan, as both a person and a commander, became the symbol of the Apoist and revolutionary woman. Through her character, she became a model of leadership for her time. Thirty-three years ago, she waged a heroic and unparalleled struggle on the war fronts against betrayal and the occupation of Kurdistan. Through her action, she became the symbol of the free woman’s line — the embodiment of the Kurdish woman’s stance that never surrenders under any circumstances. As the first commander of the women’s army, Comrade Bêrîtan became a pioneer for Kurdish women and an example for women worldwide.
Leader Öcalan, in the person of Comrade Bêrîtan, announced the women’s militarization campaign 33 years ago, in this very month of 1993. The leadership responded to Bêrîtan’s struggle and her fight in this way. The women’s army has waged an unprecedented struggle along the free women’s line for 33 years against the occupation and domination of male power and state armies. Under the leadership and spirit of Comrade Bêrîtan, Kurdish women have demonstrated tremendous resistance to all forms of war for 33 years. The women’s militarization campaign was both a first and a turning point in the global struggle for women’s liberation.
For this reason, the women’s army became a source of inspiration and faith not only for Kurdish women but for women all over the world. It gave women courage, strength, and will. In the history of world women, this 33-year legacy has become one of great honor and heroism. The women’s army was a critique and a response to the patriarchal military mentality. With a free mindset and a woman’s spirit, Kurdish women built an army in their own color.”
We continue our struggle along Bêrîtan’s path
Commander Amed added: “Today, as YJA-Star, the continuation of the women’s army and its proud history, we continue our struggle along the path of the great commander Bêrîtan. The women’s army continues to be a force of defense for all women today. It maintains its role and mission. Until women’s freedom, the freedom of peoples, and the freedom of the Kurdish people are achieved, women will not abandon the struggle or self-defense.
As power over women developed, women first lost their self-defense, and through that, society lost its own defense. That is why, thousands of years later, women re-established defense institutions with their innate strength and colors in the field of war and the military. Today, we will continue our defensive role as an army.
In the past decade, many great commanders and self-sacrificing fighters have emerged. The techniques, wars, and attacks of the capitalist modernity system were thwarted by the professional guerrilla style of YJA-Star. The YJA-Star forces have once again powerfully fulfilled their role at the tactical and professional command level over the past decade.”
Commander Amed ended her remarks by saying: “Our struggle will continue. We stand on our history and 33 years of experience, and as YJA-Star, we will fulfill any duty that falls upon our shoulders. We will do whatever is necessary for the success of this process. But we will also continue to defend, to defend women, the Leadership, the people, and mothers. Let both friend and foe know this well! We are ready to make every sacrifice and take every responsibility for the freedom of the Leadership, for the Kurdish people’s struggle, and for the victory of the women’s liberation struggle. On this basis, under the leadership of APO, we will continue our fight in this process. Once again, we bow with respect before the martyrs of the women’s army and Comrade Bêrîtan. We once more celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the women’s army in the name of Leader Öcalan, all martyrs, all women, and all comrades.”
[album=21564]