As of December 1, 2024, the winds of conflict continue to reshape Syria. The opposition forces from Idlib have seized Aleppo and now set their sights on Damascus. While the authoritarian Assad regime faces a new threat, its allies—Iran and Hezbollah—remain preoccupied with Israel.
The advancing rebels, hailed by some in Western media as liberators, warrant a closer examination. The rebel offensive is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist militia with old connections with Al-Qaeda, now seeking to rebrand itself as a progressive force. Yet, history warns us of similar narratives, from the Taliban’s empty promises in Afghanistan to the oppressive policies that followed. There is little reason to believe that HTS, if victorious, would champion democracy, safeguard Syria's rich ethnic and religious diversity, or protect the rights of women and minorities.
In this volatile context, the feminist-democratic-socialist model of Rojava emerges as a compelling alternative—a beacon of hope for a stable, equitable future beyond autocratic regimes and Islamist factions.
Nestled in northeastern Syria, Rojava is home to a sociopolitical experiment that challenges conventional governance in West Asia. Inspired by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s concept of democratic confederalism, Rojava prioritizes direct democracy, gender equality, and ecological sustainability. Governed by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), this model stands as a stark contrast to the authoritarianism and patriarchy pervading the region.
Among Rojava’s transformative achievements is its bold commitment to gender equality, rooted in the principles of jineology—a feminist framework developed by Kurdish women’s movements. Jineology, or the “science of women,” seeks to dismantle patriarchal systems and empower women as agents of societal change.
This philosophy manifests in groundbreaking policies:
• Governance: Co-leadership is mandatory in all administrative bodies, ensuring every position is shared by male and female co-chairs.
• Representation: Women’s councils operate at every level, embedding female voices in decision-making.
• Defence: Women serve prominently in the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), challenging gender norms on the battlefield. The YPJ units played a key role in defeating ISIS during the 2014-17 dark era.
Rojava’s feminist revolution offers a profound model for deeply patriarchal societies in the region, illustrating that gender equality is inseparable from societal progress.
Rojava’s model of democratic confederalism emphasizes grassroots governance. Local councils and assemblies empower diverse ethnic and religious communities—including Kurds, Arabs, Assyrians, and Yazidis—to collaboratively shape their futures. This inclusivity has fostered a rare sense of unity in a region historically fractured by ethnic and sectarian divides.
However, Rojava’s progress faces existential threats. The Assad regime, extremist factions within the Syrian opposition groups, and external powers—most notably Turkey—relentlessly undermine its stability. Turkey, under President Erdogan, views Rojava’s success as a threat to its borders, citing ideological ties with the PKK (designated a terrorist group by Turkey and some Western nations). Under the pretext of counterterrorism, Turkey has launched repeated cross-border operations, targeting Rojava’s infrastructure and communities. These actions aim less at combating terror and more at suppressing a democratic Kurdish-led entity that could inspire similar movements.
As Syria teeters between Baathist authoritarianism and potential Islamic theocratic rule, Rojava stands out as a visionary alternative. Its feminist, democratic, and ecological principles could serve as a transformative blueprint for the broader West Asian region, long stifled by autocracy and radicalism.
Democratic nations across the world have a responsibility to support Rojava, pressing Turkey and other actors to halt hostilities. The international community must safeguard this democratic experiment, which holds immense potential for fostering stability and progress.
India, the world’s largest democracy, has a unique opportunity to engage with Rojava. The parallels between India’s freedom struggle—with its emphasis on social reform and women’s empowerment—and the Kurdish feminist movement provide common ground. By championing Rojava, India can reinforce its legacy as a global advocate for freedom and justice, while contributing to peace and progressive governance in West Asia.
Rojava’s struggle transcends borders—it is a fight for a democratic, feminist, and sustainable future for all of West Asia. Supporting Rojava is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for building a just and peaceful region.