The People's Defense Forces (HPG) and the Free Women's Troops (YJA Star) continue their resistance against the Turkish occupation of Southern Kurdistan unabated. Despite ongoing war crimes committed by Turkey through the use of banned weapons, the two guerrilla organisations repeatedly succeed in going on the offensive against the Turkish army with spectacular actions. The most recent actions by guerrillas took place within the framework of the series of actions of the HPG and YJA Star initiated a week ago on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the martyrdom of guerrilla fighter Zeynep Kınacı (Zîlan). According to the daily statement of the HPG press office, at least 26 Turkish occupants were killed in the course of the campaign between 23 and 27 June (today).

The HPG gave the following details regarding the latest actions carried out by guerrillas against the Turkish army in the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

XAKURKE

In Xakurke, a surveillance system installed around Girê Şehîd Şahan was destroyed on Thursday night. Later in the day, the guerrillas struck military units at the summit in a two-front assault. One flank attacked with heavy weapons while sniper rifles were used on the other side. The deaths of three soldiers were confirmed here.

On Friday, three Turkish occupants were killed at Girê Karker in two separate actions which left the entire military position destroyed. Another soldier was shot dead on Sunday in the surroundings of Girê Şehîd Axîn. In Girê Şehîd Kamûran, the guerrillas seized a Turkish army surveillance system yesterday.

AVAŞÎN

In the Avaşîn region, mobile units of the HPG and YJA Star carried out an action against occupation troops on the slopes of Kanî Biyê on Saturday. Hand grenades and light weapons were used in the action, which left six soldiers dead. In the Werxelê resistance area, an advance attempt on the defences of guerrillas was stopped by the use of heavy weapons on Sunday.

ZAP

In Zap, Turkish troops attempted to advance towards the war tunnels in Şikefta Birîndara a total of three times over the weekend. The guerrillas went on the offensive with heavy equipment and pushed the intruders back. Mobile guerrilla units were involved in a coordinated action near the massif on Saturday. One side advanced from close range, killing two soldiers and destroying surveillance cameras. The second flank concentrated on firing on a military tent, as a result of which four soldiers were shot dead.

METÎNA

Intense fighting broke out between the guerrillas and occupation forces in Metîna on Sunday after the Turkish army launched an advance attempt on the Girê Şehîd Zemanî tunnel complex on the Girê Hekarî massif. The Turkish forces had to retreat as a result. In the Girê Cûdî resistance area, mobile YJA Star units targeted the invading troops approaching the war tunnels there. One soldier was shot dead, and two others were killed in a guerrilla sabotage short time later when attempts were made to plant explosive charges. In the evening, several helicopters came under fire while on a mission to airdrop soldiers in the area. In parallel, the Turkish forces on the ground again attempted to approach the tunnel site where one soldier was killed in a sniper action. On Monday, three occupiers moving in the vicinity of Girê Cûdî were shot dead.

ATTACKS BY THE TURKISH ARMY

The HPG also reported massive attacks and war crimes by the Turkish army, including the use of chemical weapons and explosives against the resistance areas of Şehîd Berxwedan and Şikefta Birîndara 24 times over the weekend. Further attacks were carried out from the air, as fighter jets targeted guerrilla areas fourteen times, while dozens more attacks were carried out by attack helicopters. In parallel, the Medya Defense Zones were bombed by howitzers fired from the border outposts. As a result, a forest fire broke out in Xakurke on Friday and continues to rage.