People's Protection Units

People's Protection Units
Unit name	People's Protection Units
Native name	Yekîneyên Parastina Gel
Active	2011–present
Country	Rojava (de facto), Syrian Arab Republic (disputed)
Allegiance	Democratic Federation of Northern Syria (self-declared)
Branch	Paramilitary
Size	Estimates vary
Garrison	Qamishli, Kobani, Afrin (historical)
Notable commanders	Sipan Hemo, Mazlum Abdi, Sipan Haco
Engagements	Syrian Civil War, Rojava conflict, Battle of Kobani, Raqqa campaign (2014–2017)

People's Protection Units are an armed Kurdish militia originally formed during the early stages of the Syrian Civil War that emerged as a primary defense force in areas of northern Syria predominantly inhabited by Kurds and other minorities. The formation coincided with uprisings across Syria and with parallel Kurdish activism in Iraq, Turkey, Iran, and Syria. The force became a central actor in the struggle against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and in the establishment of the autonomous administration known as the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria.

History

Established in 2011, the group grew out of Kurdish resistance traditions linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party and veteran cadres from the Kurdistan Regional Government era. Early activities occurred amid clashes with Syrian regime forces in Hasakah Governorate and confrontations with Free Syrian Army factions. The group's prominence rose during the 2014 Siege of Kobani where it played a pivotal role with support from Iraqi Peshmerga volunteers and Syrian Democratic Forces allies in defending Kobani Canton. Subsequent campaigns included participation in the Raqqa campaign (2016–2017) and operations against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Deir ez-Zor Governorate and along the Euphrates River. The force has also been involved in clashes with Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army (Syrian National Army)-aligned groups during cross-border operations in Afrin District and Jarabulus. Throughout its history it has navigated relations with the Syrian Arab Republic, engaged with the United States Department of Defense for tactical cooperation against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and faced international scrutiny including from United Nations human rights mechanisms.

Organization and Structure

The organization developed a mixed command model influenced by Kurdistan Workers' Party-linked structures and municipal defense committees in Qamishli, Amuda, and Darbasiyah. Leadership has included figures with ties to the People's Defence Forces network and representatives who liaised with the Syrian Democratic Forces coalition. The unit comprises infantry, special operations, and support elements operating across cantons such as Cizire Canton, Afrin Canton, and Kobani Canton. Local headquarters coordinated with municipal councils in Rojava and with affiliated units like the Women's Protection Units and minority militias including Assyrian and Arab battalions. Logistics chains relied on captured materiel from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and stockpiles seized during conflicts in Raqqa and Tabqa, as well as foreign airdrops and limited supply lines from Iraq and sympathetic Kurdish entities such as the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan networks.

Ideology and Recruitment

Ideologically, the force drew on the writings of Abdullah Öcalan and influenced by democratic confederalism concepts promoted in Kurdish political discourse. Recruitment tapped into Kurdish youth mobilization in Rojava, refugee communities in Turkey, and diaspora networks in Germany and Sweden. The group emphasized ethnic pluralism in official rhetoric and opened recruitment to Arabs, Assyrians, Turkmen, and other minorities, forming units like the Mardi battalions and liaising with organizations such as the Assyrian Democratic Organization. Training programs were conducted in canton training centers with instructors experienced from Iraqi Kurdistan and Kurdish veterans from earlier conflicts with Turkey.

Military Operations and Tactics

Operational doctrine combined urban defense tactics demonstrated at the Siege of Kobani, guerrilla warfare techniques learned from engagements with Turkish Armed Forces and clandestine operations used against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant cells. The force employed combined-arms maneuvers in coordination with the Syrian Democratic Forces and international air support from United States Central Command during offensives such as the Manbij offensive (2016–2017). Tactically, it made extensive use of improvised explosive devices, tunnel networks, and snipers in urban environments, and coordinated sieges in Raqqa with allied Arab brigades and International Coalition advisors. Defensive operations prioritized control of border crossings with Turkey and stabilization of liberated areas through local security councils.

Human Rights and Controversies

Numerous human rights organizations including reports submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council have alleged abuses by the force and affiliated units during campaigns in Kobani, Raqqa, and Afrin District, citing arbitrary detention, forced displacement of civilians, and property seizures. The group and allied administrations have responded with internal investigations and cooperation with NGOs such as Geneva Call and local legal institutions in Qamishli while disputing allegations and citing the conduct of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant as contextual. Controversy also surrounds accusations of recruitment of minors and instances of reprisal killings following asymmetric attacks by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant remnants.

Relations with Other Actors

Relations have been complex: cooperative ties with United States Department of Defense and International Coalition partners during anti-Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant campaigns contrasted with hostile relations with the Republic of Turkey, which views affiliated Kurdish organizations as extensions of the Kurdistan Workers' Party. The force coordinated politically and militarily with the Syrian Democratic Forces and negotiated pragmatic arrangements with the Syrian Arab Republic in some localities. Diplomatic outreach included contacts with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government authorities, humanitarian organizations like International Committee of the Red Cross, and political parties such as the Democratic Union Party (Syria). International legal debates involved actors including the European Court of Human Rights and national governments such as France, Germany, and United States of America over sanctions, recognition, and cooperation policies.

Category:Kurdish paramilitary groups