The Media and Communications Center of the People's Defense Forces (HPG) released a statement providing information on the Turkish invasion operation in guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) which has been ongoing since mid-April.

According to the statement, at least sixteen members of the Turkish occupation forces have been killed in actions of the HPG and YJA Star (Free Women's Troops) in the Medya Defense Zones in recent days, eight of them in Zap. HPG reported that the Turkish army is still relying on internationally outlawed weapons in order to move closer to its occupation ambitions in southern Kurdistan. In parallel, aerial attacks continue unabated.

HPG provided the following information on the situation in the guerrilla areas:

In Avaşîn on Thursday, guerrillas responded to an attempted positioning of Turkish military units around the war position on the Werxelê massif with shelling from close range, injuring one soldier. This was later followed by guerrilla sabotage against the same troops. Here, the death of one soldier was recorded, and a second was wounded.

In Metîna, guerrillas carried out a two-front assault in the Girê Hekarî resistance area yesterday. The action was directed against occupation forces moving in the area of the "Şehîd Akîf" war positions. One wing proceeded with medium-weight weapons, while the second group was responsible for dropping hand grenades. Three soldiers were killed and two others wounded.

In Xakurke, at least three soldiers were shot dead in an operation at Girê Şehîd Axîn on Wednesday. At Girê Şehîd Derwêş, YJA Star fighters struck the occupation forces, killing two military personnel.

In the region of Zap, snipers in the resistance area of Kuro Jahro targeted the Turkish troops while pulling up positions, killing one of them. In the area of Şehîd Şahîn, fierce fighting broke out in front of the "Şehîd Berxwedan" tunnel facility, and a massive explosion was recorded. Later in the day, several occupiers were attacked with heavy weapons while cutting down trees. In the Karker area, YJA-Star snipers conducted two deadly actions, preventing the construction of positions. At Girê FM, guerrillas initially laid an ambush to prevent an advance on their defensive positions, recording the deaths of three soldiers. A sabotage action followed shortly thereafter, killing and injuring one occupier each. The Turkish Air Force did not manage to evacuate the military from the combat area until late in the evening. Earlier today, the guerrillas discovered a Turkish Army "military dog" equipped with a head-mounted camera and several tactical flashlights in the Karker tunnel complex. All items have been seized.

According to the HPG, Turkey used chemical weapons seven times in Zap and Metîna on Thursday. The guerrilla positions "Şehîd Zemanî" near Girê Hekarî were attacked three times with chemical weapons that produced gray smoke and explosive charges. The Werxelê resistance massif was attacked four times in the same way. The HPG press office puts the number of other airstrikes recorded in parts of the Medya Defense Zones between June 1 and 3 at 26.