{{short description|International leftist guerilla forces in Syria}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}} {{Infobox war faction | name = International Revolutionary People's Guerrilla Forces | war = Rojava conflict and the Syrian Civil War | image = IRPGF Emblem.svg | caption = Emblem of the IRPGF | active = 31 March 2017 – 24 September 2018 | ideology = Anarcho-communism<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview with the International Revolutionary People's Guerrilla Forces|url=http://www.kurdishquestion.com/article/3915-interview-with-the-international-revolutionary-people-s-guerrilla-forces|website=Kurdish Question|access-date=5 June 2017|language=en|archive-date=20 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520115607/http://www.kurdishquestion.com/article/3915-interview-with-the-international-revolutionary-people-s-guerrilla-forces|url-status=live}}</ref><br />Queer anarchism | position = Far-left | leaders = None (anarchy organisation) | clans = {{flagicon image|TQILA Flag.svg}} Queer Insurrection and Liberation Army<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Moore|first1=Jack|title=First LGBT unit created to fight ISIS in Syria. Its name? The Queer Insurrection|url=http://www.newsweek.com/first-lgbt-unit-created-fight-isis-syria-its-name-queer-insurrection-641148|access-date=25 July 2017|magazine=Newsweek|date=25 July 2017|archive-date=2 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602113823/https://www.newsweek.com/first-lgbt-unit-created-fight-isis-syria-its-name-queer-insurrection-641148|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kentish|first1=Ben|title='The Queer Insurrection': Coalition forces fighting Isis in Syria form first LGBT unit|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/queer-insurrection-isis-lgbt-unit-gay-islamic-state-fight-forces-coalition-syria-middle-east-a7858651.html|access-date=25 July 2017|newspaper=The Independent|date=25 July 2017|archive-date=23 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623020724/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/queer-insurrection-isis-lgbt-unit-gay-islamic-state-fight-forces-coalition-syria-middle-east-a7858651.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | area = {{flag|Rojava}} | size = Unknown | colours = {{legend|black|Black|outline=silver}} {{legend|red|Red|outline=#343434}} | partof = {{flagicon image|}} International Freedom Battalion | successor = Tekoşîna Anarşîst | status = Inactive | allies = {{flagicon image|Flag of Syrian Democratic Forces.svg}} Syrian Democratic Forces * {{flagicon image|People's Protection Units Flag.svg|border=}} People's Protection Units * {{flagicon image|YPJ Flag.svg|border=}} Women's Protection Units *International Anti-Fascist Battalion {{flagicon image|Flag of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).svg}} Kurdistan Workers' Party * {{flagicon image|Flag of Hêzên Parastina Gel.svg|border=}} People's Defence Forces * {{flagicon image|Flag of YJA-Star.svg|border=}} Free Women's Units | opponents = {{flag|Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}<br /> {{Country|Turkey|size=22px}} | battles = '''Syrian Civil War''' *Raqqa offensive *Battle of Tabqa<ref>{{cite tweet|number=874007933176213506|user=IRPGF|title=In #Tabqa we helped liberate a society imprisoned & controlled by fear & violence. But this tactic isn't unique to…|accessdate=15 June 2017|date=11 June 2017}}</ref> *Battle of Raqqa (2017) | identification_symbol = center|200px | identification_symbol_label = Flag | identification_symbol_2 = center|150px | identification_symbol_2_label = Insignia }}
The '''International Revolutionary People's Guerrilla Forces''' (IRPGF) was a collective of anarchist fighters from around the world. Its formation was announced on 31 March 2017.<ref name="Vice02062017">{{Cite web |author1=Vice Staff |title=Greek Anarchists Are Helping Kurdish Forces Fight ISIS |website=Vice |date=2017-06-02 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/greek-anarchists-are-helping-kurdish-forces-fight-isis/ |access-date=2018-03-31 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=12 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812101932/https://www.vice.com/en_nz/article/gypbv4/greek-anarchists-are-helping-kurdish-forces-fight-isis |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the group, their goals were to defend the social revolution in Rojava in northern Syria, and to spread anarchism. The group announced its dissolution on 24 September 2018, citing a change in "perspective on strategy of armed struggle".<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1044124788833353728|user=IRPGF|title=Final communique from the IRPGF.|date=24 September 2018}}</ref>
The IRPGF had been part of the International Freedom Battalion since April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Siria, quei ragazzi venuti da mezzo mondo a combattere l'Isis|url=http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2017/06/02/news/siria_international_freedom_battalion-167037636/|website=la Repubblica|access-date=30 June 2017|language=it|date=2 June 2017|archive-date=2 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602233148/http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2017/06/02/news/siria_international_freedom_battalion-167037636/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=В Рожаве создана новая организация партизан-анархистов {{!}} Новости Курдистана|url=http://kurdistan.today/v-rozhave-sozdana-novaya-organizaciya-partizan-anarxistov/|website=kurdistan.today|access-date=30 June 2017|language=ru-RU|archive-date=3 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803160922/http://kurdistan.today/v-rozhave-sozdana-novaya-organizaciya-partizan-anarxistov/|url-status=live}}</ref> Turkish media have described them as a terrorist organization and part of the network of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bumerang etkisi: BATI'nın beslediği anarşistler PKK çatısı altında terörize oluyor|url=http://www.ehamedya.com/bumerang-etkisi-batinin-besledigi-anarsistler-pkk-catisi-altinda-terorize-oluyor_1808.html|website=EHA MEDYA|access-date=30 June 2017|date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328165237/http://www.ehamedya.com/bumerang-etkisi-batinin-besledigi-anarsistler-pkk-catisi-altinda-terorize-oluyor_1808.html|archive-date=28 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Batı'nın karşısındaki terör tehdidi – Son Dakika Dünya Haberleri {{!}} STAR|url=http://www.star.com.tr/dunya/batinin-karsisindaki-teror-tehdidi-haber-1203591|website=Star.com.tr|date=4 April 2017 |access-date=30 June 2017|language=tr-TR|archive-date=4 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404013736/http://www.star.com.tr/dunya/batinin-karsisindaki-teror-tehdidi-haber-1203591|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Affiliation == The group was a part of the International Freedom Battalion since April 2017, and they are the second anarchist group to join after the Greek unit RUIS. They participate frequently in the campaign activities of the brigade in social networks.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}
On 29 May, the IRPGF issued a statement in tribute to the commander of the United Freedom Forces Mehmet Kurnaz (Ulaş Bayraktaroglu), who was killed in combat on the Raqqa Front while fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. They define him as a true friend of IRPGF. On the 31st of the same month, the IRPGF sent representatives and speakers to the City of Derek (Canton of Cizîrê) at the funeral ceremony to four martyrs of the International Freedom Battalion and the People's Protection Units, Mehmet Kurnaz (Ulaş Bayraktaroglu) commander of the United Freedom Forces, Muzaffer Kandemir (fighter) of the United Freedom Forces, Elî Mihemed Mizil (Şêr Zagros) and Nimet Tûrûg (Baran Cudi) of the People's Protection Units.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}
== Armed struggle and involvement in the Syrian Civil War== Their public presence was confirmed at multiple martyr ceremonies in Rojava over 2017. Having fought along with the three most recent martyrs of the International Freedom Battalion, they were present at the funeral ceremonies for DKP leader and United Freedom Forces (BÖG) commander Ulaş Bayraktaroğlu, Tufan Eroğluer (Hasan Ali) from BÖG and Ayşe Deniz Karacagil (Destan Temmuz) from MLKP.<ref>{{cite news|title=Four martyrs of Raqqa operation laid to rest|url=https://anfenglish.com/rojava/martyrs-of-raqqa-operation-laid-to-rest-20268|access-date=6 June 2017|agency=ANF News|date=1 June 2017|location=Derik, Cizire|language=en|quote=(Multimedia—Photography and video in which the IRPGF flag is observed in the formation of the IFB)|archive-date=30 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730213847/https://anfenglish.com/rojava/martyrs-of-raqqa-operation-laid-to-rest-20268|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Ajansı|first1=Etkin Haber|title=Bayraktaroğlu ve Rakka şehitleri son yolculuğuna uğurlandı Haber Detay|url=http://www.etha.com.tr/Haber/2017/06/01/guncel/bayraktaroglu-ve-rakka-sehitleri-son-yolculuguna-u/|website=ETHA|access-date=30 June 2017|date=1 June 2017|archive-date=6 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706173002/http://www.etha.com.tr/Haber/2017/06/01/guncel/bayraktaroglu-ve-rakka-sehitleri-son-yolculuguna-u/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TheBaseBK|title=Four martyrs of Raqqa operation laid to rest|number=870720710070722560}}</ref>
== The Queer Insurrection and Liberation Army == The {{ill|Queer Insurrection and Liberation Army|fa|شورشیان کوئیر و ارتش آزادیبخش|cs|The Queer Insurrection and Liberation Army|uk|Армія повстання та визволення квірів|de|TQILA|es|Ejército de Insurrección y Liberación Queer|eo|Kvira Insurekcia kaj Liberiga Armeo|it|Esercito di Insurrezione e Liberazione Queer|pl|Queerowa Armia Insurekcji i Wyzwolenia|pt|Exército de Insurreição e Liberação Queer}} (TQILA), a queer anarchist subunit of the IRPGF,<ref name="huffpost">{{cite news |last1=Esteban |first1=Nacho |title=TQILA, un mal trago para la homofobia |trans-title=TQILA, a bad drink for homophobia |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.es/nacho-esteban/tqila-un-mal-trago-para-la-homofobia_a_23045767/ |access-date=28 July 2017 |newspaper=HuffPost |date=27 July 2017 |archive-date=28 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728122845/http://www.huffingtonpost.es/nacho-esteban/tqila-un-mal-trago-para-la-homofobia_a_23045767/ |url-status=live |language=es}}</ref><ref name="Ghazzawi">{{Cite news |last=Ghazzawi |first=Razan |title=Decolonising Syria’s so-called 'queer liberation' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2017/8/5/decolonising-syrias-so-called-queer-liberation |date=5 August 2017 |access-date=15 May 2023 |work=Al Jazeera |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref> formed in July 2017,<ref name="Orton2018">{{Cite journal |last=Orton |first=Kyle |date=2018-07-17 |title=The Secular Foreign Fighters of the West in Syria |journal=Insight Turkey |volume=20 |issue=3 |pages=157–177 |doi=10.25253/99.2018203.12 |s2cid=158929243 |issn=1302-177X}}</ref> as a group of foreign militia who came to fight alongside the Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG).<ref name="Vice02062017"/> Its formation went viral on social media and was widely reported and celebrated in the Western press.{{r|Orton2018}}<ref name="Ghazzawi"/>
== Criticism == An August 2017 Al Jazeera English report by Syrian-Palestinian blogger Razan Ghazzawi cited two queer Syrian activists, who alleged the IRPGF had a lack of accountability, that its ally the Democratic Union Party had not acted against LGBTQ discrimination, and that its anarchist ideology was opposed to peace and stability. Ghazzawi argued the group contributed to a war on terror narrative that enabled the Assad regime.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghazzawi |first=Razan |title=Decolonising Syria’s so-called ‘queer liberation’ |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2017/8/5/decolonising-syrias-so-called-queer-liberation |access-date=2025-11-11 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>
== Gallery == <gallery mode="packed"> File:IRPGF in Raqqa city 1.png|An IRPGF fighter during the Battle of Raqqa in 2017 File:IFB members at Destan Temmuz burial in Kobanê.jpg|Fighters from the IRPGF and IFB at the burial of Destan Temmuz, an MLKP fighter. File:Ni Una Menos from Raqqa.png|Solidarity with Ni una menos. File:Fighters of the International Freedom Battalion.jpg|IFB and IRPGF members posing with their flags File:IRPGF fighters in Tabqa 5.jpg|An IRPGF fighter during the Battle of Tabqa File:IRPGF fighters in Tabqa 4.jpg|IRPGF fighters resting during the Battle of Tabqa File:IRPGF fighters in Tabqa 2.jpg|A column of IRPGF fighters during the Battle of Tabqa File:IRPGF fighters in Tabqa 3.jpg|IRPGF fighters crossing Lake Assad by boat File:IRPGF fighters in Tabqa 1.jpg|An IRPGF fighter firing at enemy positions in Tabqa File:(Heval) Black October - IRPGF.png|A member of the IRPGF File:IRPGF flag.jpg|IRPGF fighters displaying the group's flag </gallery>
== See also == *Anarchism in Syria *International Brigades *List of armed groups in the Syrian Civil War *People's Protection Units *Peoples' United Revolutionary Movement *List of anarchist organizations *List of guerrilla movements *List of active rebel groups *List of armed groups in the Iraqi Civil War
==References== {{Reflist}}
== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite news|title=Anarchy in the YPG: Foreign volunteers vow Turkish 'revolution'|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/revolution-volunteers-form-anarchist-brigade-ypg-1459563614|access-date=30 June 2017|work=Middle East Eye|language=en|archive-date=3 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703032309/http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/revolution-volunteers-form-anarchist-brigade-ypg-1459563614|url-status=live}} * {{cite web|title=IRPGF "The Struggle Is not for Martyrdom but for Life": A Critical Discussion about Armed Struggle with Anarchist Guerrillas in Rojava|url=https://crimethinc.com/2017/04/18/the-struggle-is-not-for-martyrdom-but-for-life|website=CrimethInc.|date=18 April 2017 |access-date=30 June 2017|archive-date=22 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722035625/https://crimethinc.com/2017/04/18/the-struggle-is-not-for-martyrdom-but-for-life|url-status=live}}
{{refend}}
==External links== *[http://rupturacolectiva.com/nace-la-guerrilla-anarquista-irpgf-en-rojava-para-luchar-por-la-revolucion-en-kurdistan-y-mundo/ Nace la guerrilla anarquista “IRPGF” en Rojava para luchar por la revolución en Kurdistán y el mundo – ''Ruptura Colectiva''] *[https://twitter.com/IRPGF IRPGF on Twitter] *[https://www.facebook.com/IRPGFRojava IRPGF on Facebook] *[https://archive.org/details/@irpgf iRPGF on archive.org]
{{Syrian Civil War}} {{Syrian Kurdistan topics}}
Category:Anarchism in Syria Category:Anti–Islamic State factions in Syria Category:Defunct anarchist militant groups Category:Defunct communist militant groups Category:Expatriate units and formations in the Syrian civil war Category:Guerrilla organizations Category:International Freedom Battalion Category:International LGBTQ organizations Category:LGBTQ organizations based in Syria Category:LGBTQ anarchism Category:Resistance movements Category:Revolutionary movements