The People's Defense Forces (HPG) have launched revolutionary offensive "Bazên Zagrosê" (Hawks of Zagros) in response to the Turkish occupation operation in the Medya Defense Zones. The launch of the campaign was announced by the HPG Press Office in a statement published today about the current course of fighting in the guerrilla areas, which have been intensively in the focus of the Turkish army again since Friday. According to the HPG, the Turkish army is using poisonous gas "in its hopelessness against the guerrillas". A "military dog" equipped with a camera has been discovered in a tunnel system created by the HPG.

The HPG statement published the following details of the guerrilla actions, which were "costly" for the Turkish occupying forces that have been targeting the regions of Metina, Avashin and Zap since Friday.

"On April 24, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., the Turkish occupying army attempted to infiltrate the positions of our forces and the tunnels on Hill Mamreşo in Avashin. The guerrillas proceeded with effective actions against the invaders moving in the combat area. As a result of heavy blows, the occupying army had to retreat from the tunnels four times."

The troops moving above the tunnel system were struck twice by guerrillas shortly after, using sabotage tactics. At least nine soldiers were killed in the actions. Since the occupiers failed to advance and were repeatedly forced to retreat, they sent a dog equipped with a camera into the tunnel system. The camera around the dog’s neck was seized by guerrillas.

Around 3:30 p.m., the invaders launched another infiltration attempt. Our forces initially responded with sabotage before effectively firing on the occupiers at close range. The number of soldiers killed and wounded in this action couldn’t be clarified.

At 6 p.m., our forces conducted two more sabotage actions against the occupiers in the combat area, killing one of them. The subsequent retreat of the invaders was also effectively shelled at close range. Again, the exact number of casualties in the ranks of the occupying army could not be determined with certainty.

Later in the evening, Turkish fighter jets bombed Hill Mamreşo at about 9:30 p.m. to allow ground forces to enter the tunnel complex there. The guerrillas struck them again at close range and forced the soldiers to retreat.

Suffering heavy losses, Turkish army uses poisonous gas

The Turkish army suffered a crushing defeat at the Mamreşo hill. The losses against the Victorious Guerrilla of Democratic Modernity are so high that the occupiers try to achieve results through dirty and inhumane methods of warfare. The Turkish occupation army has used poisonous gas on the guerrillas' positions and tunnels. Despite this despicable method, the invaders have not succeeded in penetrating the tunnels.

On April 23, the Turkish army airdropped troops on Hill Şehîd Serdar near Mervanos area in Avashin. Yesterday, soldiers attempted to enter the tunnel system there in the afternoon. The guerrillas responded with effective shelling that was directed at advancing soldiers. Starting at 2:40 p.m., four toxic attacks were carried out by the occupiers in the battle zone. Around 5:30 p.m., the invaders approaching the area were targeted three times at close range using sabotage tactics. This major blow forced them to retreat. No information is available on the exact number of casualties in the occupation ranks.

Action by YJA-Star guerrillas

Earlier in the day, fighters from YJA-Star (Free Women’s Troops) carried out an action against Turkish troops on Martyr Serdar hill at around 9:30 a.m. as part of the Bazên Zagrosê offensive. Exact results of the action are not yet available.

It has also been known since yesterday that the Turkish army has expanded its area of operation in Avashin to Shuke. The ongoing operation is targeting the hills of Martyr Zerin, Martyr Bekes and Piramit. Military movements in the region continue.

The areas of Mamreşo, Aris-Faris, Kartal, Mervanos and Martyr Serdar were intensively bombed by warplanes and helicopters on Sunday night. Reinforcement troops were airdropped on Mamreşo and Martyr Serdar hills.

In the Zap region, guerrillas carried out an action against Turkish soldiers moving in the Nerwe Valley at around 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. At the same time, an operations unit approaching the Martyr Harun hill was targeted in the nearby Qele Bedewê area. Exact results on both actions are not known. Later in the afternoon, a group of soldiers came under fire at Small Cilo where one soldier was killed, while the number of those injured is unclear.

Actions by Air Defense Units

The Şehîd Delal Amed Air Defense Units also targeted the Turkish army in the Medya Defense Zones twice on April 24 as part of the “Dem Dema Azadiyê Ye” (Time for Freedom) campaign. The Air Defense Units carried out two successful actions against the soldiers trying to get deployed on Hill Zendura in Metina region. Both targets were struck effectively.

On April 25 morning, the Turkish army airdropped soldiers in the area between Hill Zendura and Elemun and reconnaissance activities in the area continue.

Turkish air strikes and ground attacks

The HPG statement also gives details of other air and ground attacks by the Turkish army. Accordingly, the following targets were attacked yesterday:

1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Hill Hakkari in Metina (airstrike)

19:00 to 22:00: Hill Zendura in Metina (howitzer attack)

21.00 to 2.00: Hill Zendura, Hill Koordine and Derarê (attack by combat helicopters)

9:30 p.m.: Goshine in Xakurke and Sida and Kunishka in Zap region (airstrike)

22.00: Vicinity of the Baze village in Kani Masi (airstrike)

10:55 p.m.: Hill Amedi in Amadiya (airstrike)

Midnight: Gundê Bêpalan and Dola Bedrana in Qandil (air raid).

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