Arab women have announced the foundation of “Martyr Amara Arab Women’s Battalion” under the umbrella of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), ANF News said on July 12.

Formed in 2015, the SDF is an alliance of progressive armed groups — the largest of which are the Kurdish-based People’s Defence Units (YPG) and Women’s Defence Units (YPJ), although including a growing number of other groups — that is subordinate to the grassroots structures of the Democratic Federation of North Syria.

The new women’s battalion has been formed as a result of more Arab women joining the SDF.

The battalion is a first in Arab history. Announcing its formation, the women stated that this was a first step and similar battalions will expand to other regions.

SDF Commander Rojda Siyar said: “With this battalion, we will have shown all women of the Middle East that Arab women can also have a role in the military arena and can defend their lands. With Rojava, the Kurdish women created a great change and this change is taken as an example throughout all regions of Syria.”

[Compiled from ANF News.]