Women Joining the Economy in Syrian Kurdistan

QAMISHLO, Syrian Kurdistan,— 23 Kurdish and Arab women, most of them displaced from cities such as Aleppo, Damascus, al-Raqqah and Idlib, are working in the Warşîn Cooperative in the city of Qamishlo (Qamishli) in Syrian Kurdistan region (Rojava) to support their families. In Syrian Kurdistan the people are engaged in a struggle to establish a

Important Decisions at Afrin’s Economic Conference [2015]

The first Democratic Economy Conference in Afrîn has finished with a number of decisions to develop the economy in Afrîn, make the region economically independent and to prepare a draft to submit at the Economic Conference for Rojava’s three cantons, which will be held on 18th October in Cizîrê. The conference was the first of

Journey to Rojava, May 2014

AN INTERVIEW WITH ERCAN AYBOGA As the Islamic State (IS) attacked the Kurdish city of Kobanê, the name Rojava was on every tongue. But what is this place, and who are the people live there? Ercan Ayboga visited Syrian Kurdistan in May 2014. He was interviewed in German about his trip by the online magazine Marx21.

Agricultural Economy Coming To Life In Rojava

(ANF/NERGİS BOTAN/DERİK) With the Syrian economy collapsing because of war, the cost of living on the rise, and an embargo against Rojava, residents of West Kurdistan are building the future and affecting an economic revolution. The Agricultural Association in the Cizîre Canton, working as part of the Economic Development Association, has brought in the spring

Communal Economy Grows In Rojava Despite War

Rojava is quickly becoming a center of trade and production despite the shortages and sufferings caused by the ongoing war, according to an article from ANHA carried by Özgür Gündem. Economic development is occurring along the lines set forth by the leadership of the Kurdish Freedom Movement, and current economic growth is being led by

Efrîn Economy Minister Yousef: Rojava challenging norms of class, gender and power

The following interview was conducted with Dr. Amaad Yousef, the Minister of Economy for the Efrîn Canton in Rojava by Sedat Yılmaz and appeared in Özgür Gündem. Yılmaz spoke with Dr. Yousef as he took part in a conference organized by the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) in the city of Van last month. The subject of the conference was the ‘Democratic Economy.’ The interview has been translated into English below.

Report of Economic Assessment in Kobanê [2015]

The canton’s economy is heavily agricultural based and dependent on plant and animal production. As a result of hostilities and the displacement of people, no crops were planted or produced, with the livestock dispelled, relocated, confiscated by ISIS or killed during the conflicts.

Revolutionary Developments in Agriculture and Livestock in Rojava

In Western Kurdistan, agriculture and livestock are being revived. While the area of cultivated land gets bigger, livestock is developing and dairy facilities are being built up. Products banned under the Ba’ath regime have already been seen in the market. Economic power is strengthening day by day despite the embargo and oppressions on Rojava, where cooperative organizations have become prominent.