A few weeks ago stories about how the Kurds were sending women to fight the Islamic State, because the Islamic State jihadis were afraid that they would not be able to enter Paradise if they were killed by a woman, circulated widely. They were nonsense. This story reflects the grim reality: the Islamic State jihadis are not afraid to confront these female fighters, and do not hesitate to brutalize them.
“Iconic female warrior ‘beheaded’ on front line with ISIL,” 9MSN, October 27, 2014 (thanks to Jack):
A prominent female Kurdish “freedom fighter” may have been executed by beheading, according to unconfirmed reports on social media.
The young woman, who went by the nom du guerre “Rehana” became a symbol of the Kurdish resistance movement when pro-Kurdish journalist Pawan Durani tweeted a picture of her giving a peace sign.
“Rehana has killed more than 100 ISIS terrorists in Kobane,” his tweet read.
There has been no independent verification of the claim, but the photo went viral, receiving more than 5000 retweets.
Female Kurdish fighters of the Yekineyen Parastina Jin (YPJ), or Women Protection Units are involved in the struggle for the key Syrian border town of Kobane.
The town of Kobane has become a crucial battleground in the war against ISIL, representing the gateway to northern Syria and the Turkish border.
This brave and unique force of women are highly trained, committed and fearless, in a fight that represents the survival of an entire people.
They believe that in their fight there is no difference between a man and a woman, but are aware they fight an enemy that routinely rapes the women it captures before butchering them or selling them into slavery.
Now there is speculation that Rehana has been captured or killed, with gruesome photos purporting to show her decapitated body circulating on social media. But the death is unconfirmed.
Rehana, purportedly a member of the YPJ, has became a symbol of a Kurdish militia movement that includes many women, with some estimating that one in three people engaging in the armed defence of Kobane are female….