Dara Adar, a commander of the People’s Defense Forces (HPG), spoke to ANF about the isolation of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, the Turkish state’s genocidal attacks against the Kurdish people and occupation attacks in Heftanin region of Southern Kurdistan (Northern Iraq).

Adar said: “As our Leader mounts great resistance in Imralı, the guerrillas of Kurdistan are also resisting these attacks. Guerrillas are giving the most effective response to the genocidal and annihilation plans of the Turkish state. The resistance in Heftanin is an example of this.”

The HPG commander continued: “While the Turkish state tries to supress, intimidate and kill the Kurds everywhere, the Kurdish people and guerrilla are resisting even stronger. We will never accept a life without the Leader. No matter what the Turkish state and colonialist forces might do, they can never make the Kurdish people and guerrilla surrender. The Leader’s paradigm is the source of life and resistance for the guerrilla. Based on the Leader’s paradigm, our comrades bear a will stronger than iron and a splendid perforamnce of resistance. One of the goals of our resistance in Kurdistan is to defeat the Turkish army in Heftanin and break through the isolation in Imralı.”

The guerrilla commander told the following regarding the Turkish state’s occupation attacks in Heftanin ongoing since 16 June and the resistance of guerrillas:

“By expanding its attacks and occupation plans in Southern Kurdistan, the Turkish army is trying hard to eliminate the resistance and actions of the guerrillas who are carrying out effective actions in the regions of Northern Kurdistan. With its advanced attacks on Heftanin, the Turkish army is trying to expand the invasion and legitimize its expansionist policies. The Turkish state, however, cannot obviate the influence and actions of the guerrilla by targeting the Medya Defense Zones. The guerrillas are developing new tactics of war and battle, renewing themselves on the path of revolutionary popular war. Despite all its technological superiority, the Turkish army could make no advance in Heftanin. They have suffered heavy losses. In an attempt to wage a special and psychological war, they are threatening the people of Southern Kurdistan. Our people’s admiration for the guerrilla is known. The resistance tradition of our comrades in Heftanin cannot be restrained.”