Sole female soldier fights in brutal Aleppo conflict

World Today

Sole female soldier fights in brutal Aleppo conflict

The Syrian Army has announced it has taken full control of Aleppo city, ending a four-year siege.

On the front lines of the old city that a Syrian soldier named Rose Morad. CCTV’s Xu Dezhi meets with the only female soldier and asked her why she fought in such a brutal conflict.

Rose Morad, the only female soldier in the Old City of Aleppo, prepared for one of her last patrols there. Rose is from seaside city of Latakia. She worked as an animal trainer in the Aleppo Zoo for nearly a decade.

After rebels took control of the zoo, she joined the army. “I joined the army to help people of Aleppo. I wanted to do something for them, and for our motherland. I never expected the crisis would last this long. At that time, I just thought I might get back to work in one year, but now I’m still here,” she said.

Rose’s family members still supported her decision even though they worried for her safety. As a new recruit, Rose discovered her strong interest in weapons. Her commanders assigned her to a unit trying to re-take the old city.

Her most harrowing moment came when rebels dug a tunnel underneath her position to plant explosives. When she talked about her experiences, she gave no hint of distress.

While the Syrian Army has re-taken Aleppo, the fighting isn’t over for Rose. She will ship out with her unit to the next front line. Others might have grown tired of the fighting – and weary of the place they were fighting for but not Rose. She said her combat experiences deepened the bond she feels for Aleppo-especially for the oldest part of the city, the Citadel.

“The citadel is a symbol to give me strength and make me strong. I had a lot memories here. I love the citadel and one day, I’ll be back for sure,” she said.