Global Connections 2019-20: Rojava and the PKK

Recently, the Turkish invasion of Syria has been in the news, especially after President Trump announced the withdrawal of U.S. troops in the area. This is bad news for a small region of northern Syria known as Rojava (pronounced "rho-zha-va").

Rojava was officially established in August of 2012. It was created as a result of the Syrian Civil War after the Arab Spring that began in late December. It is an autonomous region, free from official outside control from Syria or Kurdistan.

Rojava is supported by the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or the PKK. This political party has aided Rojava greatly in the Rojavan fight against both the Islamic State and the Syrian government. The PKK also helps Rojava to build infrastructure, such as establishing a military and agricultural system. The PKK and Rojava are anarcho-socialist, meaning that their political ideology teaches absolute equality, a passionate sense of community, mutual aid, and solidarity with human rights struggles around the world.

Gian Dirik, a volunteer sniper of the YPJ, stands by her anti-personnel rifle.
(Photo credit: Erin Trieb)

Women's rights are a central focus of Rojava's social revolution, and it is mandatory for feminist education to be taught to soldiers and police officers. As one of the founders of the PKK said, "A country cannot be free unless its women are free."

Rojavan women snipers are incredibly successful. The YPJ, a women's volunteer army, broke the siege by the Islamic State in the city of Kobane. The YPJ are supported by the local communities, who donate food and supplies so that the YPJ can continue to protect Rojava against reactionary forces and violence.

But Rojava and the PKK are under fire from the United States and NATO. They are labeled terrorist organizations due to their defense of Syria and Kurdistan against Turkish incursion, and their anarcho-eco-socialist ideologies. U.S. public opinion also opposes the PKK: "Not all Kurds are friends—some of them train Antifa." While this is true, anti-fascism is a broad movement that ties into the PKK and Rojava. Both aim to liberate common citizens and civilians from the ultra-orthodox, nationalist, and violent forces of the Islamic State and dictatorial governments within the Middle East.