Story perspectives

Women in Rojava Fear for Rights Amid Government Advance

1/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Women in Rojava, northeast Syria, express despair as Syrian government forces advance under Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) previously fought Islamic State and pledged equal rights.
As government forces push forward, the region’s autonomy is at risk and minorities fear violence.
Despite past optimism, women feel betrayed by the West and seek solidarity to defend their rights amid rising authoritarianism.

History

Historical Context

The Syrian Civil War, ignited by protests against Bashar al-Assad's regime in March 2011, has led to significant territorial shifts, particularly with the rise of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the establishment of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in 2016. As government forces advance, the autonomy and rights achieved by these groups face renewed threats, highlighting ongoing struggles for minority rights in the region.

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Story summary

Women in Rojava, northeast Syria, express despair as Syrian government forces advance under Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) previously fought Islamic State and pledged equal rights.
As government forces push forward, the region’s autonomy is at risk and minorities fear violence.
Despite past optimism, women feel betrayed by the West and seek solidarity to defend their rights amid rising authoritarianism.

1 / 2