The Women's Defense Units (YPG), a completely female Kurdish military unit, is facing an uncertain future in Syria. This force is part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, which was once one of America's main allies in the fight against jihadist groups and is now integrating into the Syrian government structure.
New Challenges for Female Fighters
The Syrian government has rejected the Women's Defense Units' request to join the army. This decision has left about 1,500 female fighters from this unit in an uncertain situation. After the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power by Islamist rebels, questions have arisen about the status and role of women in Syria.
The Women's Defense Units were established in 2013 during the Syrian civil war and were formed as the female equivalent of the People's Defense Units. This force became a global symbol in the fight against ISIS during the battle of Kobani and participated in other significant operations.
An Ambiguous Future
The Syrian Democratic Forces signed an agreement with Damascus in January, under which the forces and entities affiliated with this coalition would integrate into the new government structure. However, despite these developments, the future of the Women's Defense Units remains uncertain. Nouruz Ahmad, the commander of this unit, announced in September that the Syrian Ministry of Defense had rejected their proposal to join as an independent female battalion.
Discussions about the future of the Women's Defense Units have been transferred to the Syrian Ministry of Interior, and several roles for this force within the police structure have been proposed, but no final decision has been announced yet. Syrian domestic media have referred to jobs such as tourism police and security missions at airports.
While the new Syrian authorities are seeking to present a more inclusive image of the new government, conservative attitudes towards the presence of women in security roles remain evident. The issue for the Women's Defense Units is not just finding a job or new position, but preserving this force as an independent entity led by women is crucial for safeguarding their achievements during the self-governance period.
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