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 Turkish army continues its attacks on guerrilla positions although the guerrillas have been in a defensive position for humanitarian reasons since the severe earthquake in the Turkish-Syrian border region on 6 February.

HPG reported that the Turkish invading forces used prohibited weapons against a guerrilla position in the Sîda area on 28 March. The position is located near the village of the same name in the Zap region and is attacked daily by the army. Sîda and nearby Çemço have been of strategic importance since the occupation forces withdrew from large parts of the Zap region in December. Because the Turkish army has had no successes in the Zap, it is trying to capture areas in the Avaşîn region further east. To do so, it seeks to break the guerrilla resistance in Çemço and Sîda.

According to the HPG statement, the areas of Girê Cûdî and Girê Çarçêl in Metîna and Geliyê Balinda in Zap were bombed by fighter jets a total of four times on 27 and 28 March.

On the other hand, the Turkish army carried out a total of 15 attacks with howitzers, tanks and heavy weapons against the guerrilla positions in Çemço and Sîda as well as against the Girê Cûdî and Girê FM resistance areas on 28 and 29 March.

Turkey's attacks came 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.