In 2014 while writing my dissertation on sectarian conflicts in the Middle East, an interesting development was unfolding in the region.
ISIS had surprisingly taken most parts of Northern Iraq and the second largest city, Mosul. It had also taken eastern Syria. Regional and global forces were overwhelmed with the speed with which the group took territory.
However, a particular event of resistance against ISIS stood out among the group’s attempt to swswee across the two countries-the battle of Kobani.
A Syrian located close to the Turkish border, Kobani had become a strategic town the violent jihadist were determined to take. The resistance was impressive. However, what stood out was an all-women militia that became the centre of the resistance and later sent the fight to ISIS.
Below is ISIS presence in Africa. Got worse in some places since this image.
Later an author had labelled these brave women “Daughters of Kobani”. They had come to represent a unique feature of Kurdish resistance against ISIS.
What has this got to do with Africa ?
Interestingly, the effectiveness of the all-female force was not limited to only their combat efficacy and dexterity. There was an underlying religious belief or conviction that made them effective. What was this?
The all-men ISIS combatants found it an abomination to be killed by a woman during combat. They believed it could affect one’s destiny in the after life-yes they did and still do.
Consequently, the all-women force terrified the insurgents who tried everything possible to avoid them. They had became the “chased” in the process
With many parts of Africa experiencing violent extremism that is driven by same beliefs as superstition, Africa forces having their own all-female force well-trained to deal with the scourge will be a good strategy.
In war, you use all legitimate means to defeat the enemy, including utilising his idiosyncrasies against him. Having an all-female regular force and making the terrorist know you have them could work.
Interestingly, Africa has got a history of all-female soldiers that were most feared by the forces that came into contact with them. The Dahomey Amazon’s of West Africa is an example. The all-female unit was in the front lines of a powerful kingdom that existed between 17th and the 19th centuries. Its exploits are well known even to European chroniclers.
West African littoral states, Somalia, Mozambique and security partners dealing with the terror threat may study the efficacy of the “Daughters of Kobani” and put in place a comprehensive training programme that put willing women against extremism while limiting the dangers they could face.
This could prove more consequential than Wagner.
Many more..
#africanunion #intelligence #ecowas #security
#stability #counterterrorism #europeanunion #sadc
Owusu is an international relations and security analyst at the Ghana-based Conflict Research Consortium for Africa. This piece was culled from his LinkedIn page
