Since 17 April, the guerrillas of the People's Defense Forces (HPG) and the women's guerrillas of the YJA Star have been resisting a major Turkish invasion. Although the Turkish army is attacking with technological and numerical superiority, the guerrillas have so far managed to repel the attacks in the Medya Defense Areas.

Guerrillas Bîrhat Êzîdxan and Welat Agir spoke to ANF about the current situation.

"We will not abandon this country to the enemy"

HPG guerrilla Bîrhat Êzîdxan comes from Shengal.

He spoke on the developments since the start of the new invasion attempt. “This operation began with the most modern technology and the bombardment of the region. This is how the enemy wants to destroy our young people. But we must not forget that the guerrillas have been resisting in the mountains of Kurdistan for years to defeat the occupiers. I myself will fight even harder to defeat the enemy in the Medya Defense Areas. The apoistic awareness, determination and years of experience will show us the way to success. We will surely defeat the enemy. We are children of these people and do not come from anywhere else. We want to live in a free country. But the enemy wants to prevent that and separate the Kurds from their freedom. There must be great resistance to prevent this, but we will liberate our country. The enemy should know that even if only one of us remains, we will never surrender this country to them.”

"With new tactics to success"

HPG guerrilla Welat Agir emphasized that the attacks on the Zap region were not only aimed at this area. “These attacks – he said - are aimed at all Kurds. That is why we are leading a historical resistance. The invading forces are in deep trouble. As long as we're here, we won't give the enemy a moment's peace. We are convinced that the guerrillas will fight and win.”

Agir called on the people of Kurdistan to revolt and added: “At the moment there is war in Zap, Avaşîn and Metîna. That is why we must intensify the struggle for freedom. The enemy wants to destroy the guerrillas and subject the Kurds to genocide. Resistance to this war must not be limited to the Zap region. The enemy wants to occupy all of Kurdistan, so we as Kurds must rise up everywhere.”