HPG commander Rûstem Botan said that the fight carried out by the guerrillas against the attacks by the Turkish state is an honorable struggle and added: "The spirit of the revolution echoes in the Zagros."

The HPG commander said: "In the last 6 years, the guerrillas have built themselves according to the style of the new era. The Turkish army cannot succeed against this new guerrilla force. The more the enemy has increased his war techniques, the more the guerrillas have developed tactics and methods that will nullify them."

Speaking to ANF, commander Botan commemorated the martyrs of Werxelê, Girê Sor and Zendura, and added that their struggle today derives from the guerrillas’ 40-year history and experience. "The tradition of struggle carried out with the slogan ‘Resistance is to live’ and ‘Resistance will lead us to victory’ continues in Zagros, Metina and Zap. An unprecedented struggle and resistance has been waged against the AKP-MHP regime for the last 6 months."

‘The Turkish army used any kind of weapon’

Stating that the attacks by the Turkish state have increased exponentially since 2016, commander Botan said: "The enemy is using every kind of weapon to liquidate the guerrillas and win. However, neither reconnaissance planes, nor warplanes nor the chemical gases they used produced any results."

Guerrillas did not stay in a defense position

Commander Botan said: "The Turkish state used many dirty war methods to seize our tunnels. The Turkish state could not break the guerrilla resistance and resorted to many dirty methods, especially chemical weapons. However, guerrillas continued to carry out sabotage actions. YJA-Star led such actions. Original actions were carried out in Van, Gever, Botan, Metîna and Zagros. So the guerrillas didn't just stay in a defensive position. Guerrillas both defended themselves and carried out actions against the enemy in many places."

The HPG Commander recalled that "in Mamreşo the comrades did not allow the enemy to succeed. A great resistance was put up. In Girê Sor, a great struggle was waged. No matter how much the enemy wanted to advance, it had to retreat after being hit. The resistance in Werxelê has been going on for 4 months. The enemy cannot enter the tunnels. Tunnel wars and special guerrilla units in the field have achieved important results."

HPG commander Rûstem Botan said that "the resistance was consolidated thanks to comrades like Cumali, Diyana, Mahir, Botan, Diljin and Serhat. We are proud of our comrades' will and stance. The spirit that Comrade Şoreş revealed in Siyanê continues today in the Zagros and the enemy is dealt heavy blows. This resistance will definitely yield results."