Antar, a machine gunner and avowed feminist, fought Daesh extremists beginning at the age of 18, reportedly playing keys roles in several key battles.
Two years ago she joined YPJ, the all-women brigade of YPG, hoping to free women from patriarchal domination in her hometown. The group of around 10,000 volunteer female fighters is allied to the Democratic Union Party in the Kurdish region of Syria, and fights intensely to oust terrorists from Kurdish territory.
Asia Ramazan Antar was dubbed the 'Kurdish Angelina Jolie' for her resemblance to the Hollywood actor. #ISIS #YPJhttps://t.co/L3s9wkMzne
— India Today (@IndiaToday) September 8, 2016
💜 WE Shall NEVER Forget You 💜
— (((Gianluigi))) (@Gianlui91580067) September 7, 2016
💜Thanks Asia Ramazan Antar 💜@james_anderssen @KeepSmile912 @frisson2com @jrnydoug pic.twitter.com/Kmv7Xzrnas
According to Syrian Kurdish media, Antar was killed Wednesday in a fight between her military unit and Daesh terrorists near the recently liberated city of Minbic, about a mile from the Syrian border with Turkey. Antar reportedly tried to stop an attack by three Daesh suicide bombers who drove cars at the Kurdish frontline position.
The death of Antar was first announced on the "We Want Freedom For Kurdistan" Facebook page. In the comments she was described as a fierce fighter and a hero.
Currently, about 50,000 troops fight with YPG, and some 20 percent are women.
