HPG Press Office’s statement on the war in Kurdistan includes the following:

ACTION ON COUNTERGUERRILLA UNITS IN AĞRI

On May 17, our forces carried out an action on a group of counterguerrilla members in Glidağ region in Ağrı’s Bazid (Doğubeyazıt) district. The action on this group that works to have the people arrested and turned into spies was carried out at 13.30 when they left the Kulê village in 3 vehicles. The vehicles were hit at close range, and as a result 1 of these was completely destroyed, while 2 others were damaged and fled the scene. 5 counterguerrilla members were killed in this action while 3 others were wounded. After the action, the Turkish army launched an operation in the area of Kulê and Demirkapı villages. The operation pulled back today (May 19) in the morning hours. This action was carried out by the Martyr Canfeda Vengeance Team for the anniversary of comrade Haki Karer’s martyrdom, the first martyr of the PKK, in the memory of comrades Bedran Gundıkremo, Nalin Muş and Hêlin Murat who were martyred in the Turkish army’s aerial attacks.

ACTION IN SİLOPİ

At noon on May 17, our forces carried out an action on the soldiers positioned on Çeper hill in Bespin area of Şırnak’s Silopi district. 1 soldier was seriously wounded in this action.

3 SOLDIERS KILLED IN BESTA, ŞIRNAK

On May 12, our forces carried out an action on soldiers on the move in Girê Xanê territory in Şırnak’s Besta area. 3 soldiers were killed in close range hits.

We had shared the information that we lost contact with one of our comrades during the clashes in Martyr Resul area in Besta on May 14. The comrade in question has reached his base unharmed.

HAKKARİ: 4 JÖH KILLED

On May 13, one comrade was martyred while preparing for an action on the Hakkari road. Afterwards, Goranis village headman reported the accident to the enemy and the Turkish army launched an operation in the Geliyê Kotranis area. On May 16, between 00.00-04.00 hours, our forces clashed with the soldiers. In the clashes, 4 JÖH (Gendarmerie Special Operations) members were killed, one of our comrades was martyred after fighting heroically, and we lost contact with one of our comrades. The operation continued partially around the Goranis village and the Hakkari road while the Geliyê Kotranis road was closed off.

SABOTAGE ACTION IN VAN

On May 14, at 19:00 our forces carried out a sabotage action on soldiers and counterguerrilla members on the move towards Van’s Gürpınar district. In this action, 1 soldier was killed and 2 counterguerrilla members were wounded. The Turkish army launched an operation after the action and withdrew the same day.

On May 17, clashes broke out between our forces and the soldiers on Şamanıs Road in Van’s Gürpınar district. One comrade was martyred in the clashes, after which the Turkish army launched an operation.

ANOTHER ACTION ON KOORDİNE HILL

On May 18, at 12.00, our forces carried out an action with heavy weapons on the soldiers positioned on the Koordine Hill in Hakkari’s Çelê (Çukurca) district. The number of dead and wounded soldiers could not be clarified for this action.

AERIAL ATTACKS

On May 18, between 09.00-10.00 hours, Turkish army jets bombed the Martyr Zınar hill in Medya Defense Zones’ Heftanin area.

On May 17, between 22.00-23.00, fighter jets bombed the Kato Marinos area in Botan.