Asayish (Syria)
| Asayish (Asayîş) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 2012–present |
| Country | Syria |
| Allegiance | Rojava |
| Type | light infantry/paramilitary/militia |
| Role | Security and policing |
| Size | 4,000 (October 2013 claim)[1] |
| Website | http://www.asayish.com/ |
| Commanders | |
| Co-commander | Ciwan Ibrahim[1] |
| Co-commander | Aitan Farhad[2] |
The Asayîş or Asayish (Arabic: الأسايش, Kurdish for security[3]) is the official security organisation (paramilitary police force) of the autonomous administration in Rojava (Syrian Kurdistan). It was formed during the Syrian Civil War to police areas controlled by the Kurdish Supreme Committee.
Gender equality
As with other Rojavan institutions, the Asayîş is striving for a force based on gender equality. An estimated 25% of Asayîş forces are women. The organization is co-led by a man and woman, Ciwan Ibrahim and Aitan Farhad. In addition to protecting civilians from armed attacks, the Asayîş has created a special branch composed solely of women which is dedicated to gender-based violence, family disputes between women and protection of women during protests, and public celebrations. Their objective is to take care of every case in which a woman gets involved, from gender-based violence to a bank robbery. Female members of the force face additional risk from attacks by radical Islamists.[2]
Citizen-led policing
The Rojavan government is working towards providing all citizens with Asayîş training. The ultimate hope is that once the vast majority of citizens have been trained, security can be maintained amongst the citizens and the Asayîş itself can be dissolved.[4]
Training
In addition to the use of weapons, Asayîş members are also trained in "mediation, ethics, the history of Kurdistan, imperialism, the psychological war waged by popular culture and the importance of education and self-critique."[4]
See also
- People's Protection Units (YPG)
- Sutoro – Syriac (Assyrian) Christian militia
- List of armed groups in the Syrian Civil War
- Law enforcement in Syria
References
- 1 2 "Kurds Build Bridges At Last". Inter Press Service. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
- 1 2 Barbarani, Sofia (2015-04-20). "Syrian Kurdish female leader Aitan Farhad about life as an Islam State target". Ekurd Daily. Retrieved 2015-06-10.
- ↑ Miller, Judith (1993-01-03). "Iraq Accused: A Case of Genocide". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-04-25.
- 1 2 "A revolution in daily life". Peace in Kurdistan. Retrieved 11 June 2015.
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