According to the press center of the People's Defense Forces (HPG), the Turkish army used chemical weapons in combination with explosives 21 times against guerrilla positions in the Zap and Avaşîn regions of guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) on Friday. HPG reported use of chemical warfare agents containing tar, which produce toxic black and brown smoke. Massive air and artillery attacks took place in parallel.

The guerrillas continue their resistance, with the YJA Star (Free Women's Troops) taking a leading role. Five Turkish army soldiers were killed in guerrilla actions listed in the HPG's daily overview, and a Turkish drone was shot down in the Zap region.

ZAP

In the Zap region, fighting is currently taking place between the guerrillas and the invading forces in the resistance area of Çiyareş. The fighting was triggered on Saturday morning by an advance attempt by the Turkish army toward the guerrilla positions at Girê Şehîd Sorxwîn. According to the HPG, the fighting is still ongoing. More information is to be released at a later date.

On Thursday, two soldiers were shot dead by YJA Star snipers in Kevirêkun in the Şikefta Birîndara resistance area. Late Thursday night, the guerrillas intervened against two attack helicopters that were on an attack flight on Kuro Jahro from KDP territory. The intense shelling forced the helicopters to abort their attack.

On Friday, the guerrilla position Şehîd Berxwedan in the Şehîd Şahîn resistance area was bombed 19 times by the Turkish army with chemical weapons and explosives. HPG reported use of chemical warfare agents containing tar, from which toxic black and brown smoke was emitted.

At 5 p.m., the guerrillas managed to shoot down a Turkish drone over the Şehîd Şahîn resistance area. On the same day, an advance by Turkish troops was repelled by the guerrillas using heavy weapons.

In the resistance area of Kuro Jahro, two soldiers of the occupation forces were killed in a sabotage action and an action with heavy weapons. In the Şehîd Tolhildan area, another soldier was killed in an act of sabotage.

METINA

In Metîna, guerrillas hit an outpost of the Turkish military base Kanî Masî in the Amadiya district on Friday. According to HPG, the intended targets were hit with pinpoint accuracy.

ATTACKS BY THE TURKISH ARMY

The Turkish army has carried out various other attacks with fighter jets, helicopters, mortars and howitzers on Medya Defense Zones. As per the HPG statement, the Deşta Kafya area in Gare was bombed twice by fighter jets on Thursday. On Friday, the slopes of Girê Şekîf in Xakurke were bombed by Turkish border guards using mortars and howitzers. In Avaşîn, the Werxelê resistance area was targeted by two chemical weapons strikes and further attack helicopters on the same day.

The areas of Çemço, Çiyareş, Girê Cehennem, Şehîd Şemdîn, Kuro Jahro, Şikefta Birîndara, Karker, Şehîd Şahîn, Girê Ortê and Girê Cûdî in the Zap region were bombed 26 times by fighter jets on Friday, with additional attacks with howitzers, mortar shells and helicopters.

At 7:10 a.m. Saturday morning, fighter jets bombed the Gundê Fileha area in the Zap region.