In memory of Ashraf women who stood up for freedom of their nation in the darkest days of its history, symbols of “Generation Equality.”
One of the most courageous confrontations in the world’s history of nationalist wars and liberation movements took place on April 8, 2011, in Ashraf, Iraq, the seat of the Iranian opposition movement at the time.
In the history of nationalist and revolutionary wars, there never was an instance where people stood, empty-handed without any shields, in front of armored vehicles and armed forces of the enemy and yet succeed to repel them.
The attack was another link in the long chain of terrorist schemes, blockades, and massacres of the Iranian opposition members carried out by Tehran’s puppet in Iraq, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. But Ashraf residents stood firm and resolved to prevent the enemy from taking over the city which was the beating heart of the Iranian people’s Resistance movement.
On that day, eight Iranian heroines and 28 heroes were killed either by the Iraqi Army snipers or were ran over by armored vehicles. Hundreds more were seriously wounded, some by grenades thrown to explode among them.
The price was horrendous, but these Iranian heroines and heroes managed to stop the enemy’s advancement and save Ashraf, the Iranian people’s bastion of freedom. They proved that they could overcome any force by their amazing unity and steadfastness and by paying the dear price.
The freedom fighters, women and men, young and old, were empty handed without any shields. Their heads and chests were targeted by snipers. At least 22 people were run over by armored vehicles. Residential units were shelled. Iraqi troops did not allow the wounded to be taken to hospital.
If and when they overcome the misogynous Godfathers of fundamentalism and terrorism in Tehran, not only will they change the situation in Iran but will have a great impact on the war-torn Middle East and the petrified Europe.
Their names are registered in the history of Iranian nation and the struggles of Iranian women for freedom and equality. The women of GENERATION EQUALITY.
