Joanna Palani (born 1993[1]) is a Danish woman of Kurdish background who fought for the Kurdish People's Defence Units (YPG) against ISIS, including as a sniper.[2] Palani's family is originally from Iranian Kurdistan, and she was born in a refugee camp in Ramadi in Iraq during the first Gulf War. Her family subsequently got asylum in Denmark when she was still a child. In 2014, she dropped out of a political science degree to fight in the YPG in Northern Syria and Peshmerga forces in Iraq after the rise of ISIS.[3] She first went to Rojava in Syria, where she fought alongside the YPG for six months, and then joined the Peshmerga for another six months.[4]
Joanna Palani | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1993 (age 30–31) Ramadi, Iraq |
| Allegiance | |
| Service/ | |
| Battles/wars | War against the Islamic State |
She was taken into custody on her return to Denmark.[5][6][7] Palani is frequently the target of vicious threats, both online and offline, since her return to Denmark.[3]
She has published an account of her experience: Freedom Fighter: My War Against ISIS on the Frontline of Syria.[8]
References edit
- ^ Whyte, Lara (19 December 2016). "Danish woman who fought against Isis faces jail sentence". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Turner, Janice. "Joanna Palani interview: She fought Isis in Syria and now fears for her life at home in Denmark". Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ a b "ISIS offers $1 million for murder of Kurdish woman who fought them". Deccan Chronicle. 19 December 2016. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ Killalea, Debra (28 May 2016). "Joanna Palani, Islamic State killer: Terrorists are 'easy to kill'". NZ Herald. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "Freedom Fighter Joanna Palani". Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "Danish woman who fought against Isis faces jail sentence". the Guardian. 19 December 2016. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "The Girl Who Ran Away to Fight ISIS". www.vice.com. 25 May 2016. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
- ^ "Joanna Palani". Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
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