Since June 16, the guerrillas have been fighting against a major Turkish attack on the region of Heftanin in Southern Kurdistan (Northern Iraq). One of the fighters resisting against the second largest NATO army and the neo-Ottoman expansion plans is Tekoşer Kato. In an interview with ANF, he tells about his experiences in Heftanin.

Can you tell us about the first phase of resistance?

Actually, the ‘Battle of Heftanin’ resistance offensive began a year ago, but the attacks were not so violent at the beginning. When all of Heftanin was bombed on June 16, the air raids were directed especially against Hill Qesrok, where we were. The attacks started with the hills of Şehîd Adar and Şehîd Berîwan. But the guerrillas are everywhere. Since we control the terrain, we can also control the enemy. We are always close to them.

Fought to the last grenade

And how was the first day of resistance at Qesrok? And why this hill?

From Qesrok the area around Xantûr is defended. We can call it a defensive position for Hill Xantûr. Because of its height and location, it is of great importance. To take Hill Xantûr, one must take Qesrok which towers over many areas, both over Şehîd Hamza and over Xantûr and Hill Partizan. It also reaches into the Botan region of Northern Kurdistan. It is located directly at the border opposite Mount Cudi. Its distance to the border to Northern Kurdistan is only five kilometres. Qesrok has been bombed from all sides. The occupying forces wanted to infiltrate the positions but our forces noticed this immediately and struck the enemy effectively. The Turkish army was therefore unable to deploy troops. The second day also went on like this. Since they could not airdrop troops on hills, they tried to do this behind the hill. The Turkish military and the village guards with them could not simply advance. Whenever they came, we struck them. They did not even recover their dead. Being human or a soldier has no meaning for them. Our comrades put up great resistance, showing the determination with which the struggle is being fought here.

The best examples are Amara Roj and Memyan Koçer. Although Amara has not been with us for long, her attitude and resistance have moved us a lot. The resistance of Memyan, who fought against the enemy with great sacrifice, was quasi superhuman. Comrade Memyan struck the enemy with hand grenades, chanting slogans. He fought to the last grenade. Then he blew himself up to keep the enemy from getting hold of him. This is the spirit that keeps the PKK on its feet. This is the spirit that keeps us all and our struggle on our feet.

Where does this determination come from?

It's fed by Abdullah Ocalan. It's fed by our longing. The first to feed this spirit were people like Kemal Pir, Haki Karer and Sakine Cansız. As long as this spirit exists, we will win in Heftanin, the PKK will win. The enemy is not just attacking from scratch, it has been trying for years. There is nothing that it has not done to the Kurdish people. Attacks take place in all areas, political and military. The spirit of the 14th of July keeps up this resistance. This was the biggest action and this resistance action gives us strength even today. It has become a symbol for us. [July 14 marks the beginning of the "great death fast" of captured PKK cadres in Amed (Diyarbakir) prison in 1982 during the Turkish military dictatorship. The action is considered as “the first spark of resistance" of the Kurdish liberation movement and marks the beginning of a new era of the struggle for self-determination].

The media are part of the psychological warfare against us, but their attacks are in vain. Where we are is not important, wherever, whenever, we keep our promise of revenge. And as long as the guerrilla exists, the resistance in Kurdistan will never end.