The Daughters of Kobani audiobook cover - A Story of Rebellion, Courage, and Justice

The Daughters of Kobani

A Story of Rebellion, Courage, and Justice

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

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Society & CultureBiography & Memoir

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The Daughters of Kobani
Origins of the Conflict+
Dueling Ideologies+
The Four Commanders+
The US Partnership+
Major Military Campaigns+
Legacy and Impact+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What was the primary objective of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) during the early stages of the Syrian civil war?
  • A. To completely overthrow Bashar al-Assad's regime.
  • B. To establish a strict Islamic state in northeastern Syria.
  • C. To protect their regions from external attack and achieve Kurdish autonomy.
  • D. To assist the Turkish government in securing the Syrian border.
Question 2 of 8
How did the ideology of the Kurdish militia sharply contrast with that of ISIS?
  • A. The Kurdish militia believed in the strict separation of political and military power.
  • B. The Kurdish militia placed a foundational emphasis on women's equality and liberation.
  • C. The Kurdish militia advocated for a pan-Arab nationalist state.
  • D. The Kurdish militia relied exclusively on nonviolent resistance to achieve their goals.
Question 3 of 8
Why did the United States choose to partner with the Syrian Kurds in the fight against ISIS?
  • A. The Kurds were willing to fight ISIS without demanding that the US help them overthrow the Assad regime.
  • B. The Kurds promised to supply the US with exclusive oil rights in northeastern Syria.
  • C. The US wanted to support Turkey's strategic goals in the Middle East.
  • D. The Kurds already had a massive, well-equipped air force that could launch strikes on Raqqa.
Question 4 of 8
Why did the Kurdish-led coalition change its name to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)?
  • A. To signal their formal allegiance to the Syrian government under Bashar al-Assad.
  • B. To appease the Turkish government and avoid further cross-border conflicts.
  • C. To reflect the inclusion of Arab fighters and show they were not solely seeking a Kurdish nation.
  • D. To distance themselves from the teachings of Abdullah Öcalan.
Question 5 of 8
Before joining the YPJ, what common struggle did women like Rojda and Znarin face in their personal lives?
  • A. They were forced to serve in the Syrian government's official military.
  • B. They had to overcome oppressive, conservative family expectations, such as arranged marriages and being denied education.
  • C. They were imprisoned by Assad's regime for participating in the 2004 soccer riots.
  • D. They were exiled to Turkey for their political writings.
Question 6 of 8
How did the battle for the ISIS capital of Raqqa ultimately conclude?
  • A. The US deployed ground troops to clear out the final ISIS stronghold in the central hospital.
  • B. Tribal elders negotiated a deal allowing the remaining ISIS fighters and hostages to be transported out of the city.
  • C. ISIS fighters surrendered unconditionally after a massive dam was destroyed, flooding the city.
  • D. Syrian government forces arrived to defeat ISIS and claimed the city for Assad.
Question 7 of 8
What was a radical feature of the constitution created by the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) for northeastern Syria?
  • A. It mandated that all citizens must serve in the military for at least five years.
  • B. It guaranteed that women would co-lead all towns under its jurisdiction.
  • C. It declared an immediate, aggressive war against Turkey.
  • D. It completely abolished the use of currency in favor of a barter system.
Question 8 of 8
After the official defeat of ISIS, who became the primary aggressor threatening the Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria?
  • A. The United States
  • B. Iran
  • C. Turkey
  • D. The Yazidis

The Daughters of Kobani — Full Chapter Overview

The Daughters of Kobani Summary & Overview

The Daughters of Kobani (2021) tells the riveting, edge-of-your-seat tale of a group of Syrian Kurdish women who took up arms against the terror group ISIS. Brimming with pathos and unimaginable courage, it’s a story of women fighting evil and winning, against all the odds. But it’s equally about women defying a culture that would deny them their rights –⁠ and striving toward a better one.

Who Should Listen to The Daughters of Kobani?

  • Fans of thrillers and action films
  • Feminists empowered by stories of brave women
  • Students of Middle Eastern conflict and international relations

About the Author: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, is a journalist, author, and public speaker. She’s written extensively on women’s issues in Syria and Afghanistan, as well as on women in the US military, foreign policy, and child marriage. Her previous books, Ashley’s War and The Dressmaker of Khair Khana, were both New York Times best sellers.

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