A new documentary, 'The Phantom Pain of Rojava', is offering UK audiences a rare and intimate glimpse into the lives of Kurdish veterans recovering from the brutal war against Islamic State (IS) in northern Syria. Directed by Maryam Ebrahimi, the film centres on a rehabilitation home in Rojava, the autonomous Kurdish-led socialist region, where injured fighters rebuild their lives and confront the physical and psychological scars of conflict.
Ebrahimi's tender and gentle approach captures the profound resilience of these individuals, many of whom sustained life-altering injuries in the fight against IS. The film introduces viewers to figures like Fadakhar, a male veteran who lost both his legs, and whose nights are still haunted by phantom pains. However, much of Ebrahimi's focus is drawn to the female veterans, whose extraordinary courage on the battlefield garnered international attention approximately a decade ago. These women began leaving their villages to join the fight against IS as early as 2011, embodying a unique spirit of sisterhood and defiance.
One of the most compelling characters is Sorkhin, an Iranian Kurd who commands the rehabilitation home. Despite her gentle demeanour, Sorkhin is renowned in Rojava for her heroic efforts in saving Yazidi women and girls from IS enslavement. Her unwavering mission, she states, has always been for women 'to live as human beings'. The documentary also features Zarin, an expert sniper who served under Sorkhin and sustained a severe head injury. Despite her brain injury largely affecting her speech, Zarin powerfully communicates her motivation to the camera, stating she was 'wounded for democracy'.
The film opens with a powerful scene depicting women carrying a coffin at the funeral of a female army commander – a sight Ebrahimi notes is unusual in the Middle East, underscoring the distinct cultural practices of Rojava. The women's act of digging soil with bare hands, a final gesture of solidarity with their fallen comrade, further illustrates the deep bonds within this community. These portrayals offer a crucial human perspective on a conflict that has had widespread geopolitical implications.
For UK audiences, 'The Phantom Pain of Rojava' serves as a vital reminder of the human cost of the fight against IS, a global threat that also impacted British national security. The courage displayed by these Kurdish fighters, often allied with international forces, played a significant role in containing IS. The documentary also sheds light on the ongoing precarious situation in the region, with Kurdish military leaders, like Commander Sorkhin, remaining targets for drone attacks, highlighting the continuing instability and the complex geopolitical landscape of northern Syria.