HPG Press Office has released a statement providing details about the 'revolutionary operation' conducted by guerrillas affiliated to HPG (People's Defense Forces) and YJA Star (Free Women's Troops) in Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak two days ago.

According to the statement, 75 soldiers and policemen were killed in the operation which targeted a number of military and police targets in the district, while many arms and armored vehicles were also destroyed. A total of 14 guerrillas lost their lives during the operation and following clashes.

Guerrillas participating the revolutionary operation at 05:40 on September 25 targeted Beytüşşebap Brigade, hills of Bayrak, Çeper and Bêgokê held by the Brigade and soldiers guarding them, District Gendarmerie Command, Police Headquarters, TOKİ (Housing Development Administration) building of special operation police, District Governorate and police points at the entrance of the district.

OVER 20 MORTAR SHELLS HIT BEYTÜŞŞEBAP BRIGADE

According to the statement by HPG Press Office, guerrillas hit the Beytüşşebap Brigade with over 20 mortar shells, and the District Gendarmerie Command with automatic weapons and bazookas, which started a fire in the area and left all the three emplacements here destroyed.

In the action against Police Headquarters, guerrillas hit the police points around the building and seized all the emplacements.

Also hitting two emplacements of the District Governorate, guerrillas destroyed an emplacement where 7 soldiers were present, and 3 armored vehicles around the building with bazookas.

Guerrillas further targeted the TOKİ building of special operation police, hitting 3 buildings and engagement emplacements and the snipers positioned on them.

In an action against another police point, guerrillas seized two emplacements and destroyed two panzers.

BRIGADE AND HILLS HIT BY GUERRILLAS

As part of the revolutionary operation, HPG and YJA Star guerrillas hit the Bayrak hill, Mevzi (Emplacement) hill and the 3rd Bêbokê hill guarding the brigade, which left many soldiers dead and a large number of military emplacements and vehicles destroyed.

In the wake of an action from two sides against the Bayrak hill affiliated to the Brigade, guerrillas took control of all the emplacements affiliated to the brigade.

Destroying an A-4 weapon in one of the emplacements, guerrillas seized control on the hill which was shelled by jets, tanks and howitzers after the action.

While one guerrilla fell a martyr here, many arms belonging to the Turkish army were seized. Six soldiers were verified killed in this area.

Another guerrilla unit hit the Mevzi (Emplacement) hill with automatic and assassination guns, which left one tank unusable and many soldiers dead, however the death toll couldn't be made clear. Turkish army took the casualties to Beytüşşebap Brigade in ambulances accompanied by armored vehicles.

The 3rd Bêbokê hill guarding the brigade was also targeted by a comprehensive action in which guerrillas hit and destroyed many emplacements here and seized the control of the hill, upon which Turkish jets bombed the area intensely.

Assassination teams deployed in the district also hit mobile targets in and around the district during the course of the operation, as a result of which 9 soldiers and policemen were killed, while 5 guerrillas lost their lives during the fighting.

PEOPLE RESPONDED TO THE TURKISH ARMY ATTACKS WITH PROTESTS

HPG said that clashes erupted at many locations around the district centre as guerrillas took control in many areas and especially roads during the Revolutionary Operation which lasted around 24 hours. Turkish troops conducted intense bombardments with warplanes and shelled many areas including the district centre with howitzer and mortar fire, to which local people responded with mass protests.

ACTION AGAINST MILITARY REGIMENT

Guerrillas seized control on the Şeman hill apart from one emplacement as a result of an effective action against the hill affiliated to the Çeman Regiment in the evening of September 24. One guerrilla died and 4 others were wounded as an emplacement here was completely destroyed. Many arms were seized here but later destroyed due to the casualties suffered by guerrillas.

9 guerrillas lost their lives here as a result of an intense bombardment conducted by Turkish jets on two groups of guerrillas here. Turkish forces also bombed many houses of civilians during and after the action.

FOUR CIVILIANS KILLED IN ATTACKS BY TURKISH ARMY

HPG said 4 local people lost their lives as the Turkish army opened gunfire on the houses of civilians at random during the hours of the actions by guerrillas.

Regarding the incident which left an ambulance driver dead, HPG refuted claims by Turkish media, saying that police opened fire on an ambulance and killed the driver. HPG said they have the footage of policemen firing on the ambulance.

OPERATION ACCOMPLISHED

According to the statement, guerrillas drew one step back after the accomplished operation which lasted 24 hours but still hold the control of the entire area.

HPG said the operation was carried out in memory of Martyr Baran Dersim and recently martyred guerrillas and in retaliation for the attacks on cemeteries of martyrs.

HPG concluded that 75 members of Turkish forces were killed in the revolutionary operation during which 14 guerrillas fell a martyr after putting up a brave fight.