Zanarin Kobani

Zanarin Kobani is a prominent commander in the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Women's Protection Units (YPJ). A former student who became a soldier to defend her homeland against the Islamic State, she has risen to a leadership position overseeing thousands of soldiers, primarily women. Kobani is an advocate for women's rights and has fought for equality in a traditionally patriarchal society, believing that her military role exemplifies a new model of empowerment for women in the region.