Earlier this morning, between 3 AM and 6 AM local time, the Turkish Armed Forces initiated a large-scale cross-border military offensive in the region of Garê in South Kurdistan (Northern Iraq). Turkish airstrikes targeted the villages of Guzê, Meyrokê, Siyanê, Çemşerîtkê, Yekmalê and Kanîsarkê, and soldiers were airdropped into the region with Cobra and Sikorsky helicopters. Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters have been fighting since dawn to repel the invading forces, and heavy clashes are ongoing.

Turkish sources report that 1st Special Forces Commander Sergeant Major Harun Turhan and another soldier were killed in the fighting, the Press Office of the People’s Defense Forces (HPG) has not made a statement yet.

Sources on the ground report ongoing violent clashes in the area of Siyane in Gare region.

HPG Press Office said in a statement earlier today that “The occupying Turkish army launched a comprehensive operation against the Gare region at 3 am on 10 February. Turkish warplanes bombed the villages of Guzê, Meyrokê, Siyanê, Çemşerîtkê, Yekmalê and Kanîsarkê and the areas of Deşta Kafya and Deşta Nehlê from 3 am till 6 am.

The surroundings of the village of Çemrobotkî were bombed twice at 4.30 am and once in the morning with warplanes. Simultaneously, the surroundings of the villages of Yekmalê and Siyanê were bombed with Cobra helicopters.

According to the HPG statement, the helicopters used in the operation came from Southern Kurdistan but not from Northern Kurdistan.