The Press Liaison Centre of the HPG (People’s Defense Forces) stated that an ANKA-type UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) of the Turkish state circling in the skies of Asos, was shot down by the guerrilla forces in Qendîl at 23:00 on 6 June.

The statement added that the UCAV shot down by the guerrillas crashed near the city of Dukan, west of Asos.

In a statement on 20 March, HPG Central Headquarters Command released a list of Turkish drones which were downed by guerrilla forces starting from 13 February last year. 

The HPG said Kurdish people were able to acquire the missile system and provide it to the guerrillas “despite all the efforts of the enemy (Turkish state) to isolate our people in the international arena.”

The HPG’s statement followed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Executive Committee member Murat Karayilan’s interview on March 15, saying that they would announce “good news” on the eve of Newroz, Kurdish New Year.

According to the statement, the first downing of an armed drone was on February 13, 2023, over Garê in South Kurdistan.

Six of the 15 downed drones were TB2 BAYRAKTAR type drones. Five were ANKAs, two were AKINCIs and two were AKSUNGURs.