Dilovan kovli
Dilovan Kovli | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Dilovan Kovli |
| Nickname(s) | Dilo |
| Born | May 12, 1987 Erbil, Iraq |
| Allegiance |  SDF |
| Branches |  YPG |
| Rank | Commander |
| Unit |  YPG International |
| Battles/wars | |
Dilovan Kovli (born May 12, 1987, in Erbil) is a Kurdish-Moroccan activist, writer, and former soldier. He is best known for his involvement in the Syrian Civil War, where he fought with the People's Protection Units (YPG) against Islamic State. He authored the memoir *Fires of Raqqa*, detailing his experiences in the war.
Kovli’s combat experience includes participating in the Siege of Kobanê and serving as a commander in the Battle of Raqqa (2017).
Biography
Dilovan Kovli was born in Iraq to a Kurdish father and a Moroccan mother. At the age of six, he moved with his family to Erbil, where he attended local schools. During his youth, Kovli became involved in community initiatives and youth defense programs.
Education
Kovli studied at Salahaddin University in Erbil, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus on Middle Eastern politics and conflict resolution. He later earned a Master of Arts in International Security Studies at the University of Duhok, concentrating on counterterrorism strategy, insurgency operations, and leadership in small-unit tactics. He also completed additional military training, including Kurdish militia tactical courses and urban warfare programs (2010–2014), which prepared him for leadership roles in YPG operations.
Military Career
Kovli joined the People's Protection Units (YPG) in 2010. His major deployments included:
- **Siege of Kobanê (2014–2015)** – coordinated defensive operations and facilitated communication with international volunteers.
- **Battle of Sarrin (June–July 2015)** – offensive urban operations against ISIS positions.
- **Manbij Offensive (2016)** – strategic sector command and urban combat operations.
- **Liberation of Raqqa (2017)** – led YPG International brigade in key combat operations, coordinating with local Kurdish forces, sustaining injuries but remaining in command until final liberation.
Current Activities
After leaving active combat in 2020, Kovli shifted to humanitarian and advocacy work. He serves as a consultant for NGOs assisting displaced families and providing educational programs for children in conflict zones.
Kovli continues to write and speak publicly on Middle Eastern security, counterterrorism, and the experiences of foreign volunteers in Syria. He has participated in conferences across Europe and the Middle East, emphasizing post-conflict reconstruction and local governance.
He also runs a small training academy in northern Iraq for local defense forces, focusing on leadership, tactical planning, and civil-military coordination. Despite stepping away from frontline combat, he remains influential within Kurdish military and activist communities.
Publications
- *Fires of Raqqa* – Independent Press, 2018 – ISBN 978-1-950421-55-2 Parameter error in {{ISBN}}: Invalid ISBN. Search this book on
. - *Echoes of Kobanê* – Independent Press, 2020 – ISBN 978-1-950421-78-1 Parameter error in {{ISBN}}: Invalid ISBN. Search this book on .
