The Press Office of People’s Defense Forces (HPG) released a statement providing the latest information about the Turkish occupation campaign and guerrilla resistance in the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

“The Kurdistan Freedom Guerrillas, who started their march with the first bullet fired by our immortal commander Egîd (Mahsum Korkmaz) on August 15, have been waging a relentless struggle for 39 years. Following in the footsteps of martyrs in an Apoist spirit, our guerrillas are leading our freedom struggle with great self-sacrifice. Fighting with the same spirit, consciousness, commitment, determination and resolve today, our forces gave a historic lesson to the invading Turkish army on 9-10 August, on the eve of the Day of Resurrection,” said the HPG statement on Thursday.

HPG stated that the guerrillas carried out a revolutionary operation against the Turkish occupation forces that sought to advance in the Girê Cûdî Resistance Area. The guerrillas employed a wide range of tactics ranging from assassination, sabotage, strikes and heavy weaponry. Mobile and professional guerrilla teams acted in coordination during the course of the operation, which lasted 24 hours, and carried out 44 actions, in which 31 invaders were killed and 7 others were injured. The guerrilla forces suffered no losses during the successful actions.

Guerrillas also struck the Turkish forces in Girê Cûdî, Zap, Metîna and Xakurkê.

A total of 32 soldiers were killed and 11 others injured as a result of the actions carried out on 9-10 August, the details of which are as follows:

Girê Cûdî Resistance Area in Şehîd Delîl Western Zap region

On 9 August, YJA Star (Free Women’s Troops) guerrillas struck the occupation forces three times and killed a soldier.

On 9 August, the invaders seeking to advance in the area were hit by the guerrillas. 9 soldiers were killed and 7 others injured as a result of the strikes with hand grenades and weapons. The Turkish forces retreating after the action were also struck by the guerrillas and 2 more soldiers were killed.

On 9 August, 4 Turkish soldiers were killed by YJA Star snipers.

On 9 August, guerrillas hit the Turkish forces deployed to the area to replace those killed. Strikes by YJA Star guerrillas left 2 soldiers dead.

On 9 August, guerrillas destroyed a drone.

On 9 August, 2 Turkish soldiers were killed by YJA Star snipers.

On 9 August, guerrillas stopped an advance by the Turkish forces.

On 9 August, a soldier was killed by a guerrilla sniper.

On 9 August, Sikorsky helicopters on a mission to airdrop troops were intervened 9 times and forced to leave the area.

On 9 August, guerrillas struck the occupation forces advancing in the area 15 times and killed 3 soldiers.

On 10 August, 2 soldiers were killed in a sabotage action.

On 10 August, guerrillas infiltrated the position of the occupation forces and struck them with hand grenades and weapons, killing 2 soldiers.

On 10 August, 2 soldiers were killed by guerrilla snipers.

On 10 August, 1 soldier was killed by a YJA Star sniper.

Having suffered a heavy defeat in the Girê Cûdî Resistance Area, the invading Turkish army carried out an intense bombardment with fighter jets and helicopters throughout the night of 9 August. The army retreated one step in an attempt to retrieve the casualties from the area.

Zap region

On 9 August, guerrillas struck and damaged the heavy construction equipment used by the Turkish troops trying to demolish the guerrilla positions in Sîda Resistance Area.

Metîna region

On 9 August, guerrillas struck the occupation forces in Girê Ortê Resistance Area with heavy weapons.

Xakurkê region

On 8 August, the occupation forces partaking in an operation in the area of Girê Şehîd Qehreman were sabotaged by the guerrillas and 2 soldiers were injured.

On 9 August, the occupation forces partaking in an operation in the area of Girê Şehîd Qehreman were sabotaged by the guerrillas four times. 2 soldiers were injured and one other was killed, while the operation was concluded without success.

The actions in Xakurkê region were carried out by YJA Star guerrillas in memory of Egîd Garzan, who fell a martyr on 11 August 2020 as the field commander.

Attacks by the Turkish army

On 4,7,9 August, the Girê Hakkarî Resistance Area in Metîna was shelled 3 times by fighter jets.

On 9 August, the Girê Hakkarî Resistance Area in Metîna was shelled 4 times by attack helicopters.

The regions of Zap, Şehîd Delîl Western Zap, Metîna and Xakurkê were attacked by artillery.