Female YPJ snipers hunted ISIS fighters, exploiting their fear of dying by a woman’s hand. Their lethal shots disrupted the terror group’s grip.
In Syria’s war, “ISIS feared them more than bombs—because being killed by a woman meant no paradise. The YPJ turned that fear into their deadliest weapon.” The Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), formed in 2012 within the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, grew to 7,000 fighters by 2025, with snipers targeting ISIS commanders in northern Syria’s urban battles. Their confirmed kills helped liberate cities like Raqqa from the terror group’s control.
These snipers worked in brutal conditions, firing from rooftops or hidden in rubble, hitting targets up to 800 meters away. With dozens of kills, they crippled ISIS morale and supply chains. Many joined after losing family to the group, undergoing months of training in marksmanship and survival to defend their communities. Their rifles became tools of vengeance and protection.
By April 8, 2025, their fame had gone global, with videos showing their steady aim under fire. The YPJ sniper unit remains active, striking ISIS remnants in eastern Syria. Their precision continues to unravel the terror network, one shot at a time.
