Sisters in Arms join the fighting in Syria
As the Syrian civil war continues women of all ages and social backgrounds have become involved in activities ranging from cooking for fighters to running complex and dangerous operations, according to rebel military commanders and media reports.
“Any woman who has sacrificed her men as martyrs will not accept anyone telling her to go back and sit at home,” stated a Syrian woman from the opposition.
In January the regime began a recruitment drive for the “Lionesses for National Defence,” a militia force deploying women volunteers to carry out security operations, control checkpoints and free up soldiers to fight, Free Syrian Army commanders said.
Videos posted on YouTube show women dressed in combat fatigues, carrying Kalashnikovs and chanting pro-Assad slogans on what appears to be a military training ground.
Among some women involved in the uprising, there are growing concerns that of radical Jihadi groups, on the basis of their militarily successes, could result in women’s being driven out of public or political roles once the war is over, despite their efforts on the ground.
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