Exclusive from Afrin: Syrian Kurds mourn female fighter shown mutilated in video
Thousands of Syrian Kurds gathered on Saturday in the country's northwest predominantly Kurdish city of Afrin to mourn the female fighter who was shown mutilated by Turkish-backed rebels.
AFRIN, Syrian Kurdistan (Kurdistan 24) – Thousands of Syrian Kurds gathered on Saturday in the country’s northwest predominantly Kurdish city of Afrin to mourn the female fighter who was shown mutilated by Turkish-backed rebels.
In Afrin city, thousands attended the funeral of 18 civilians and fighters, including Barin Kobani’s. Her family told Kurdistan 24 they had not received their daughter’s body.
Barin’s family said that when the militants attack Afrin and commit such crimes, they aim to demoralize the people.
Barin’s brother, who is a People’s Protection Units (YPG) fighter, told Kurdistan 24 that because the militants are retreating, they mutilated Barin’s body.
“The enemy wanted to send us a message that they mutilate the bodies of our martyrs to demoralize us,” he said. “Because they cannot defeat us, they take revenge on the bodies of our martyrs.”
Barin’s mother said she was proud her daughter fought until her last moments.
“Dear daughter, you defeated the enemy with your determination, why did they cut your limbs in this barbaric way?!” She exclaimed.
“Turks are invading us and the world is silent!” Her mother added.
About two weeks ago, Turkey launched an air and ground offensive in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), targeting the YPG and their all-female brigade, the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), in the Afrin region.
With the ongoing operation, the Turkish military is attempting to control the mountains around Afrin, and then enter the city.
Despite the heavy bombardment on the region, the Turkish army and their allies of Syrian rebels have not achieved any advancement.
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany
(Reporting in Kurdish by Kurdistan 24 correspondent Akram Salih from Afrin)
