Turkish female village guards play active role in protecting national security

The number of women among the Turkish security forces in the country’s east and southeast is increasing daily.

Şehnaz Taran (22) from Elazığ’s Alacakaya district, who chose to be a village guard like her father, is a university graduate who chooses to fight against the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) terror organization.

Leyla Akın (30) from Diyarbakır’s Ergani district also became a village guard like her father. Akın, who successfully completed the compulsory training program conducted by the Provincial Gendarmerie Command nine years ago, takes part in operations led by the Gendarmerie.

“There is no distinction between males and females in this job. It requires tenacity and determination,” said Akın, who also volunteered to take part in Turkey’s ongoing Operation Olive Branch.

“I would like to join Operation Olive Branch, because I would like to be a source of hope for the women and children who are oppressed and whose rights have been taken from them,” she added.

Operation Olive Branch was initiated on Jan. 20 in Afrin to establish security and stability, eliminate terrorists of PKK/KCK/PYD-YPG and Daesh, and save locals from the terrorists’ oppression and cruelty.

“I carry this uniform as a woman with pride and dignity. If need be, we are ready to serve in Afrin. There is courage, bravery and resilience in the essence of Turkish women. We know this from Nene Hatun, Şerife Bacı, Halide Edip and Kara Fatma,” Taran said, referencing Turkish heroines.

Nene Hatun was a Turkish heroine recognized for fighting against Russian forces during the recapture of Fort Aziziye in Erzurum at the start of the Russo-Turkish War. Şerife Bacı was a heroine who took part in the Turkish War of Independence, and Kara Fatma was a decorated heroine who was a militia leader and soldier during the same war. Halide Edip was a Turkish novelist and political leader for women’s rights.

Women police officers in charge of the Directorate of Security Police Force in Antalya work to ensure the safety of civilians. Melek Kaplan left her 3.5-month-old baby in its crib to fight off the July 15 coup attempt perpetrated by Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).

Sezen Çınar dreams of fighting in Afrin. Asuman Başaran stayed on the field for three days in the operation organized by the Turkish military in Şemdinli. Zekiye Sibel Kılınç worked to assist the civilians affected by the Van earthquake.

“I will fight until not a single terrorist remains in Afrin or Turkey,” said Gayde Akıncı, who is a mother of six and whose husband lost his eyes as a result of mines planted by terrorists on the roadside in 1991.

“We are ready to provide support for the operation in Afrin,” said Hasine Akıncı, who is a retired guard.