In its daily statement about the war in Kurdistan territory, the Press Centre of the People's Defence Forces (HPG) reported that at least 18 soldiers of the Turkish army were killed in the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

According to the statement, guerrillas struck the occupation forces on June 15 in the area of Kolit in Xakurke region. The action and ensuing clashes resulted in the death of 18 soldiers, including a senior officer.

In the wake of the action, guerrilla fighters Seyit, Amara and Azad lost their lives, said the HPG, adding that the details of their identities will be released at a later date.

Pointing out the continuous attacks of the Turkish colonial state against the Kurdish people and the guerrillas, HPG stated that the action on 15 June was an effective response.

According to the HPG statement, the Turkish unit was advancing towards Girê Şehîd Şahan when it was ambushed by the guerrillas at four o'clock in the morning and attacked by two flanks. The first attack group used light weapons and hand grenades at close range, while the second group struck with light and semi-automatic weapons. After a 15-minute battle, the death of 18 occupants was confirmed. When the Turkish army realised that the entire unit had been liquidated, the area where the bodies were located was bombed by howitzers, tanks and fighter jets. While guerrilla Seyit was seriously injured and passed away, two other guerrillas, Amara and Azad, were martyred in an attack during their retreat.

Simultaneously with the action, the occupation forces at Girê Şehîd Şahan and Girê Şehîd Axîn were targeted by guerrillas with heavy weapons. According to the HPG, the number of Turkish army casualties could not be determined, while the dead and injured were recovered by helicopters and armoured cars. HPG said that the actions in Xakurke were carried out in response to the aggravated isolation of Abdullah Öcalan.

HPG further said that the guerrillas struck the Turkish troops in the Girê FM resistance area in the western Zap region with heavy weapons three times on 15 June.

On the other hand, the Turkish army used prohibited weapons against guerrilla positions in the Sîda area, also in the Zap region, on 15 and 16 June.

During the same period, eleven airstrikes were carried out by Turkish fighter jets against the Girê Çarçel, Serê Metîna and Golka areas in Metîna, as well as against Deşta Kafya, Dola Şêranê and Kanî Sarkê in Gare.

On 15 June, the Turkish army carried out a total of 227 attacks with howitzers, tanks and heavy weapons on the areas of Sîda, Girê Cûdî, Girê Amêdî and Girê Bahar in Zap, Girê Hekarî in Metîna and Girê Kolît, Girê Şehîd Kamuran, Girê Şehîd Heqî and Ava Lolanê in Xakurke.

On 15 and 16 June, Turkish forces’ attempts to demolish the guerrilla positions with construction machinery continued.