The HPG Press Center issued a statement condemning the massacre carried out by the Turkish state in Zakho. The HPG underlined that there is no force affiliated with them in the region where the Turkish state attacked and added: “The Turkish state aims to kill civilians in the areas it dominates and to expel people from their homes. Everyone searching for the truth and with a conscience should see this inhuman brutal massacre carried out by the Turkish state and what Turkey wants to achieve with it. At the same time, they should take a clear stand against this crime against humanity.

The statement reads as follows:

“On 20 July, around 1.45pm, the touristic area in Perex, in the Zakho district of Duhok (South Kurdistan), was bombed by the Turkish army. As a result of the bombing, 9 civilians lost their lives and more than 20 people were injured. We express our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this massacre and wish a speedy recovery to all the injured.

The Turkish state deliberately bombed a tourist attraction full of civilians. No one should try to cover up this deliberate massacre. This is not the first massacre carried out by the Turkish state. They deliberately targeted and killed two Iraqi Senior Military Officers on 11 August 2020. This attack was also a planned massacre. It is not a coincidence that the Turkish state deliberately struck picnic areas used by civilians in Bamernê, Kunê Masî, Çemço's Balinde Valley and many other areas in recent years.

There is no force affiliated with us in the region where the massacre took place on Wednesday. There are hills occupied by the Turkish state in the areas close to this region. Iraqi Border Forces and different local forces affiliated to the Regional Government are also present in the area. Therefore, this event has nothing to do with us.

Everyone should know that the Turkish state wants to ensure its dominance in the field. To this end, it aims to frighten everyone by murdering civilians and spreading fear and terror. The Turkish state aims to expel the civilian population in the areas it controls and doesn’t hesitate to strike. The same reality applies to the Hior region in Metîna. Even though we don't have forces in Hiror's immediate vicinity, Turkey constantly targets the area and kidnaps the villagers.

Everyone who respects the truth and has a conscience should see the inhuman, brutal massacre carried out by the Turkish state and what it wants to achieve with them. At the same time, everyone should take a stance against this crime against humanity.”