According to the statement released by the Press Office of the People's Defence Forces (HPG) on Tuesday, at least eight members of the Turkish occupation forces were killed in the latest actions carried out in the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

The actions were carried out on the occasion of the 30th founding anniversary of YJA Star (Free Women’s Troops) and in memory of Bêrîtan (Gülnaz Karataş), a guerrilla commander, who fell in southern Kurdistan on 25 October 1992.

HPG provided the following details of the actions in the past two days:

Heftanîn region

YJA Star guerrillas struck the occupation forces on Girê (Hill) Şehîd Berxwedan in the Xantûr area with heavy weapons on 22 October. Four soldiers were killed in the action, while one of their positions and a surveillance camera that had been installed in the compound were destroyed.

Zap region

In the region of Zap, the guerrillas have carried out a series of actions against Turkish occupiers in the last two days. Most of the actions were directed against the occupation forces in the Girê Cûdî resistance area, which lies on the western front of the region.

As a result of the strikes by the guerrillas, three soldiers were killed. In addition, the expansion of military positions and helicopter activity in the region were stopped, while two surveillance cameras were struck and damaged. Besides, attempts by enemy troops to advance in the area were thwarted several times by the use of heavy and medium weapons.

In Girê Amêdî, YJA-Star units struck several positions of the Turkish army, four of which were severely damaged. One soldier was injured by a guerrilla sniper, and another died in the course of another action in which medium-weight weapons were used.

Attacks by the Turkish army

HPG also reported continued attacks by the Turkish army in the guerrilla areas, some of which were carried out with outlawed weapons. In the area of Sîda in Zap, the defence positions of the guerrillas were attacked with unconventional bombs on 22 October. In Metîna, the Turkish army used drones loaded with explosives against guerrilla positions in Girê Çarçel twice in the last two days.

The defence positions of the guerrillas in Girê Ortê were attacked at least 25 times with prohibited bombs during the same period. "Black smoke came out after the impacts, the ordnance used spread an odour reminiscent of detergent," stated the HPG. Unconventional bombs were also used three times against positions in Girê Amêdî in Zap. Girê Cûdî was bombed four times by drones loaded with explosives.

In addition, HPG reported strikes by attack helicopters as well as artillery attacks in the regions of Zap, Metîna, Xakurke and Barzan. The Stûnê area in Avaşîn was bombed nine times by combat aircraft on 18 October.