HPG reports ongoing Turkish attacks with phosphorus shells
According to HPG, the Turkish army continues to attack guerrilla positions in southern Kurdistan with phosphorus shells.
Turkey continues to use phosphorus-enriched shells in its ongoing invasion campaign in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq), reported the People's Defence Forces (HPG) in its daily overview of the war in the Medya Defence Zones.
"The Turkish occupying army is committing further war crimes with the use of phosphorus-enriched shells. The Kurdistan Freedom Guerrilla responded to the attacks in self-defence. Areas where our forces are located were bombed by a fighter jet in one case and by tanks, howitzers and heavy weapons in 43 other cases. In addition, guerrilla resistance areas were attacked 15 times with shells containing phosphorus," said the HPG statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, Turkish attacks on Saturday were concentrated in the areas of Çemço and Sîda in the Zap region. Both areas belong to the Sheladize sub-district near the town of Amadiya in Duhok governorate.
HPG stated that the guerrillas used their right to self-defence several times on Saturday and struck the Turkish invading forces near the village of Sîda. Heavy weapons were used twice against the attacking troops. On Saturday evening, a sniper took action against a Turkish troop that was trying to install a surveillance camera system around a guerrilla position near Sîda, and one soldier was shot dead.
For the past two years, Turkey has increasingly used banned weapons to occupy the guerrilla areas in southern Kurdistan. Since the beginning of 2021, there have been thousands of attacks with chemical weapons and unconventional bombs. For several days, the HPG has also reported the use of phosphorus shells against guerrilla positions.
Turkey's attacks are taking place despite a ceasefire announced by the Kurdish side. The decision was taken by the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) after the devastating earthquake disaster of 6 February. The Kurdish guerrillas, which include the HPG and YJA Star (Free Women's Troops), are implementing the call for a cessation of all hostilities despite intense shelling of their areas and are in a defensive position.
