The politician, patriot and defender of his people’s rights, Salih Muslim, has passed away. Today is a very sorrowful day for us. First of all, we would like to express our condolences to the family of the honourable Salih Muslim and to all our patriotic people. Salih Muslim’s struggle and character became benchmarks of true patriotism for us. He dedicated every moment of his life to the great sacrifice of serving his people. Salih Muslim made a great contribution to the Rojava Revolution and led his society with the ideas of Apoism. He leaves behind a proud legacy of struggle. He was a dedicated and self-sacrificing person, striving for a free life from the early years of the Kurdish freedom struggle on until his last breath. He took part in the struggle for freedom alongside his family and, with his scholarly and principled political character, held a highly esteemed position within his community. He possessed a high level of expertise in political and social affairs. He had extensive insights and analyses of the region’s politics. Salih Muslim had built his personality on the ideas and philosophy of Apoism. Especially in recent times, despite his health condition, he never stopped working for the freedom of his people, always remaining among his community. He stood up for the duty of a free person in all circumstances and never compromised on his people’s freedom. During the Rojava Revolution, he held significant roles; Salih Muslim was a politician, a patriot, and the father of a martyr and fighters. Salih Muslim, with his entire being, was the voice of his people’s truth. The courage and steadfastness of Salih Muslim, in obtaining democracy and freedom for our people, will serve as the benchmark for the struggle for a free and dignified life. In the face of women’s quest for freedom, he demonstrated his respect for life through his steadfastness and became a true comrade of women. For this reason, as the Women’s Protection Units, it is our primary duty to realize the martyrs’ dreams through the person of the fighter Salih Muslim. We will keep the life and struggle of Salih Muslim alive in our hearts and minds forever. General Commandership of YPJ 12.03.2026

On 2 March 2026, Iraqi women’s rights activist Yanar Mohammed was assassinated outside her home in Baghdad. This is not an isolated incident. Time and again, women who play a leading role in society are targeted and murdered. Examples include Rosa Luxemburg, Nagihan Arkasel, Jiyan Tolhildan, Sakine Canzis and Berta Caceres, who represent thousands of women. These are not attacks against individual women, but rather attacks against the goals of freedom, equality and the vision that another world is possible. A vision and a struggle that is particularly significant in these days, when the attempt to create a new Middle East is no less important. Yanar Mohammed, who was born in Baghdad in 1960 and lived in Toronto for several years, was an architect, human rights activist and one of Iraq’s most prominent feminist voices. She was a co-founder of the Organisation Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI) and campaigned for democracy, women’s rights and social justice for many years. She was particularly committed to helping women who were victims of violence, forced marriage and human trafficking. With her help, shelters were set up where hundreds of women found refuge. Despite repeated threats and public incitement, she continued her work unabated. We condemn this attack and remember Yanar Mohammed with honor. And we know that her path will be continued by thousands. The spirit and struggle of free women cannot be killed.