The Press Centre of the People's Defence Forces (HPG) released a statement providing information about the recent attacks by the Turkish army in the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

According to the statement, the invading army carried out 93 attacks on guerrilla areas on 13 March.

HPG reported that guerrillas responded to an attack in the Girê Cûdî resistance area and fought back to defend themselves. Prohibited ordnance was used against HPG and YJA Star positions in the Çemço and Sîda areas in the Zap region in two cases. A total of 91 attacks with attack helicopters, mortars, howitzers, tanks and heavy weapons were directed against the surroundings of the Lolan River in Xakurke, the resistance areas Girê Cûdî and Girê FM, as well as against positions in Çemço and Sîda.

Çemço and Sida belong to the Sheladize sub-district near the town of Amadiya in Duhok governorate and have been the focus of the occupation forces since the partial withdrawal of the Turkish army from the Zap region at the end of last year.

Turkey's attacks continue despite a ceasefire announced by the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK). The decision was taken after the devastating earthquake disaster in the Turkish-Syrian border area on 6 February. The Kurdish guerrillas, which include the HPG and the YJA Star (Free Women's Troops), are implementing the call for a cessation of all hostilities and are in a defensive position.

In a statement on February 9, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), an umbrella organization of the Kurdish freedom movement of which the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) is also a member, called for a halt of military actions in Turkey, in metropolises and cities. “It is necessary to prevent the people from experiencing even more suffering in this affliction”, said Cemil Bayık, co-chairman of the executive council of the KCK.

The Central Headquarters of the People's Defence Forces (HSM) expressed support for the KCK's call and said on February 11 that the guerrillas were ready to do their part to alleviate the suffering of people.