The Press Center of People's Defense Forces (HPG) reported in a statement that five soldiers have been killed in actions against the Turkish army in the Xakurke region of Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan, northern Iraq.

The guerrilla actions were carried out as part of the "revolutionary offensive in memory of Şehîd Bager and Şehîd Ronya".

According to the statement, guerrillas targeted the Turkish military units stationed on Hill Lelikan with heavy weaponry at about 1:30 pm on Tuesday. While the positions and shelters of the Turkish forces were put under intense fire, the number of soldiers killed or wounded here couldn’t be clarified.

At 16.30 o'clock guerrillas hit the same area for a second time. The positions of Turkish forces were struck effectively from two directions and two soldiers were killed here. Guerrillas also destroyed two positions, a radio measuring device, an assault rifle, a BKC machine gun and a grenade launcher.

Following the action, Turkish forces evacuated their dead and injured under the protection of attack helicopters, and then warplanes bombed the areas of Şehîd Şervan, Lolan, Lêlîkan and Elîdirêj. The guerrilla unit withdrew from the combat area without losses.

At 5 pm guerrillas hit a group of Turkish soldiers in Elîdirêj Valley area. Effective strikes left three soldiers dead and many others wounded.

Air raids on guerrilla zones

The HPG Press Center also reported Turkish airstrikes on the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan. The air strikes that targeted Hill Hakkari summit in the Metina region on Tuesday afternoon have not led to losses, according to the HPG statement.