The Press Centre of the HPG (People’s Defense Forces) announced the outcome of Şehîd Helmet Dêraluk Revolutionary Operation in the Zap region of the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

The HPG statement on Sunday said, "Our forces carried out the Şehîd Helmet Dêraluk Revolutionary Operation against the invaders in Zap on 12 January. The revolutionary operation, in which at least 61 invaders were killed, 4 invaders were wounded, dozens of weapons and military equipment were confiscated and all the rest were destroyed by fire, was successfully completed. Martyr Helmet Dêraluk Revolutionary Operation dealt a heavy blow to the invading Turkish army and shook the fascist AKP-MHP regime. The fascist AKP-MHP regime and the special war media concealed their own losses in order to overcome the shock of the blow and to prevent the truth of the war from being reflected to the public. At the same time, it claimed that it inflicted many casualties to our forces by carrying out random aerial and ground bombardments. However, the statements of the fascist AKP-MHP regime, its authorities and the Turkish army are completely false. Our comrades Serxwebûn and Rizgar, who fought heroically during the revolutionary operation and in the following days, fell as martyrs, and we did not suffer any losses other than these comrades. The detailed identity information of both comrades will be announced to our patriotic people and the public later."

HPG provided the following information regarding the actions by the guerrillas and the attacks by the invading Turkish army:

"Şehîd Delîl West Zap region;

On 12 January at 17:10, the Şehîd Helmet Dêraluk Revolutionary Operation was carried out against the invaders in Girê Amediyê Resistance Area. By our professional revolutionary operation forces, first of all, all mines, military techniques and wires laid by the invaders were deactivated. In the revolutionary operation, which started with attack and infiltration tactics completely on the initiative of our forces, all occupiers in Girê Amediyê Resistance Area were targeted simultaneously. Our revolutionary operational arms went over the bodies of 20 invaders, clarified and recorded and documented their deaths. Other places belonging to the invaders were also effectively hit with heavy, medium automatic and individual weapons. Our professional revolutionary operational force confiscated 4 crates of grenades, grenade launchers and cannon balls belonging to the invaders and used them against the invaders and shot the enemy with their own weapons.

It was clarified that 61 occupiers were punished and 4 were wounded in this revolutionary operation. Many invaders in tents were also punished, but their numbers could not be clarified. In this revolutionary operation, our forces set fire to and destroyed 6 living spaces, 3 containers, 11 positions, 2 logistic places, 1 ammunition place, 1 communication system, 1 generator, 1 radar system, 1 normal surveillance camera, 1 thermal surveillance camera, 2 A4 guns, 2 large chain grenade launcher guns and 8 mobile phones belonging to the invaders. In the revolutionary operation, our comrades Serxwebûn and Rizgar were martyred whilst fighting with Apoist sacrificial spirit and high courage. Apart from our two comrades, there were no casualties on our side. In this revolutionary operation, our forces seized the following from the invaders; 7 MPT-55 individual weapons, 250 MPT-55 weapon bullets, 4 drum grenade launchers, 1 single grenade launcher, 2 BKC medium automatic weapons, 200 BKC medium automatic weapons bullets, 5 thermal binoculars, 7 night binoculars, 2 weapon lasers, 5 weapon scopes, 1 weapon spotter, 2 communication devices and 1 spare battery, 2 searchlights, 2 knives, 3 smoke bombs, 5 thermal binocular batteries, 3 armoured assault vests, 2 military coats and 2 headphones.

On 13 January at 13:10, the invaders in Girê Amediyê Resistance Area were targeted with individual and medium automatic weapons. In this action, 1 invader was punished and 1 position was destroyed.

ACTION BY YJA STAR GUERRILLAS

Zap region

On 13 January at 12:00, the invaders in Şehîd Îbrahîm Resistance Area were targeted with heavy weapons and 1 position was hit. This action was carried out by our YJA Star (Free Women’s Troops) forces.

Attacks carried out by the occupying Turkish army;

On 12 and 13 January, the Turkish army carried out 23 airstrikes by fighter jets, including 4 on the areas of Şiyê and Girê Zengil in Garê; 5 on the areas of Ava Lolanê, Xinêreya Jor, Sinînê in Xakurkê; 7 on the areas of Girê Bahar Resistance Area in Şehîd Delîl Western Zap region; 2 on the areas of Bêşîlî, Serê Metîna area in Metîna region; 5 on the areas of Balayan, Boblîska in Qendîl. These bombardments did not result in casualities in our ranks.

Zap, Şehîd Delîl Western Zap, Metîna and Xakurkê regions were bombarded with artillery."