Following the collapse of the Baath regime, with the backing of global powers, Syria was once again placed under the rule of a jihadist and misogynistic mentality. This development, which took place in the final month of 2024, once again showed Syrian women, who had endured years of oppression, cruelty, and massacres, that the only thing that changed was the name of those in power.
During the revolutionary process in North and East Syria, women achieved significant gains. Despite the heavy devastation left by the Baath regime, women in this region rose from the ashes and took their place at the very center of the revolution.
As 2025 began, women in Syria aimed, as always, to spread the struggle across the country, expand women’s achievements, and place women at the center of life.
However, the jihadist structure brought to power in Syria stood as one of the greatest obstacles to these goals. Having completed one year in power, HTS never mentioned women’s rights and excluded women from the transitional administration. Rather than reducing femicides, it continued to encourage violence against women. The fact that Shadi al-Waisi, appointed as Minister of Justice in the transitional government, was revealed to be a murderer of women further deepened this grim picture.
The Turkish state, seeking to exploit the security vacuum created by the change of power in Syria, intensified its attacks on Syria—especially on North and East Syria—at the beginning of 2025. Women were the primary targets of these attacks.
JANUARY
The first two months of 2025 were marked by resistance at the Tishrin Dam and the Qereqozaq Bridge. Women led the resistance watch at the Tishrin Dam. In an effort to break the resistance, the Turkish state repeatedly targeted convoys traveling to the watch points.
On January 8, Kerem Ehmed Şehabî El Hemed, one of the leaders of the Zenubiya Women’s Community, was killed in a bombardment targeting a convoy heading to the Tishrin Dam.
On January 11, Şehnaz Omer, a leader of Kongra Star, was killed in an attack on the Koçerat area of Dêrik.
On January 19, the PYD General Council announced that Menice Haco Heyder, a member of the General Council and Co-Chair of the Qamishlo Office, was killed in an attack by the occupying Turkish state at the Tishrin Dam.
On January 22, the North and East Syria Martyrs’ Families Council announced that young woman Ronîz Mihemed Elî, who had been seriously wounded in a January 15 attack on civilians at the Tishrin Dam, had died.
On January 24, the YPJ General Command announced that Commander Arjîn Kobanê was killed during the resistance against the occupation attack on the Tishrin Dam.
Women strongly protested the participation of gang leader “Abu Hatim Shaqra”, the killer of Hevrîn Khalaf, Secretary of the Future Syria Party, at the ceremony where al-Julani declared himself President of Syria.
FEBRUARY
On February 6, during the second day of the Rojava Peoples’ Tribunal, evidence was presented regarding torture, massacres, and rape crimes committed against women by the Turkish state.
On February 12, thousands of women in Qamishlo marched in two separate columns under the slogan “The Jin Jiyan Azadî Philosophy Is Winning Against Conspiracies,” condemning the international conspiracy and demanding the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan.
MARCH
Activities for March 8, International Working Women’s Day, intensified. Women’s movements in North and East Syria announced their action program under the slogan “We Are Building a Democratic Syria with the Jin Jiyan Azadî Philosophy.”
On March 8, final rallies were held in the Jazira, Euphrates, Raqqa, Tabqa, and Deir ez-Zor cantons.
The 1st Kurdish Women’s Conference in Qamishlo concluded on March 23 with a 12-point declaration calling for the urgent convening of the Kurdistan National Congress.
Women played a leading role in Newroz celebrations on March 21, demonstrating their commitment to the process following Öcalan’s February 27 call.
On March 24, the Women’s Movements and Organizations Joint Action Platform launched a campaign to support women in Syria’s coastal regions under the slogan “Supporting Syrian women is the basis for stopping the massacres against women in the coastal areas.”
APRIL
April 4, the birthday of Öcalan and the anniversary of the founding of the YPJ, was celebrated enthusiastically under women’s leadership.
On April 14, representatives of 24 women’s organizations and political parties in Kurdistan formed the Kurdish Women’s Unity Platform.
MAY
On May 3, thousands of women gathered in Hesekê under the leadership of Kongra Star, demanding freedom for Öcalan and declaring that freedom and stability are impossible without his freedom.
On May 8, protests erupted across North and East Syria against the appointment of Hatim Abu Shaqra, the killer of Hevrîn Khalaf, to a military post by the Damascus regime.
JULY
During attacks launched by the Syrian Transitional Government forces on Suwayda on July 13, crimes against women were committed. On July 30, a campaign was launched under the slogan “Together to protect women in Suwayda from genocide.”
The anniversary of the Rojava Women’s Revolution on July 19 was widely celebrated.
At the end of July, the Sara Organization for Combating Violence Against Women launched the campaign “Sexual Abuse Is a Crime—No to Cover-Ups,” which continued until early October.
AUGUST
On August 3, the 11th anniversary of the Shengal Genocide, women’s organizations in North and East Syria called on the international community to urgently intervene against increasing attacks on women in Suwayda.
SEPTEMBER
Women’s delegations from North and East Syria held meetings with officials and organizations in France, Germany, and Switzerland, calling for international solidarity for a democratic solution in Syria.
OCTOBER
Multiple campaigns and conferences were launched against violence towards women, for early diagnosis in healthcare, and for democracy, peace, and Leader Apo’s physical freedom.
NOVEMBER
Workshops, conferences, and campaigns continued, culminating in large rallies on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, under the message: “Let us expand the struggle against the dominant mentality and achieve equality.”
HUNDREDS OF WOMEN KILLED UNDER HTS RULE
Since HTS under al-Jolani came to power on December 8, 2024, 650 women, including 29 children, have been killed due to war remnants, armed and sectarian attacks, domestic violence, and societal violence. The highest numbers were recorded in Aleppo, Damascus, Homs, Hama, rural Damascus, Daraa, Tartus, Quneitra, Latakia, Suwayda, and Deir ez-Zor.
Aleppo: 31 women (2 children)
Damascus: 14 women (1 child)
Homs: 34 women (8 children)
Hama: 36 women (3 children)
Daraa: 23 women (5 children)
Latakia: 16 women
Deir ez-Zor: 28 women (2 children)
Suwayda: 34 women (2 children)
Rural Damascus: 29 women (1 child)
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) documented the killing of 127 women by armed groups affiliated with the Syrian Transitional Government. The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) reported that more than 100 women were killed in the coastal massacres alone, and 130 women were killed in Suwayda.