The guerrillas continue to resist the Turkish invasion of southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq). According to the daily statement by the People's Defense Forces (HPG), three soldiers were killed in the latest actions by mobile guerrilla units on Tuesday. HPG pointed out that the guerrillas are acting with great creativity and sacrifice. During the actions, a Turkish military position and a surveillance camera system were destroyed, and another camera and two UPS devices were seized by the guerrillas. In addition, the guerrillas damaged a military helicopter and a shovel excavator used in military position building.

The Turkish army has used chemical weapons and explosive bombs against guerrilla tunnels twenty times since Tuesday, and phosphorus bombs have also been used. According to the HPG press centre, the guerrilla areas were bombed seven times by fighter jets and 18 times by attack helicopters, in addition to dozens of attacks with howitzers, mortars and heavy weapons.

HPG gave the following details about the guerrilla actions and Turkish military attacks in the different areas of the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones on 12 July:

Xakurke

In Xakurke, guerrillas infiltrated a now abandoned military camp on Hill Şehîd Şahan and destroyed a position, including a surveillance camera. Another camera and two UPS devices were seized by the guerrillas.

Zap

In the Zap region, a mobile guerrilla group targeted a Turkish force with heavy weapons as it attempted to establish a military position in the Şikefta Birîndara area. A shovel excavator was damaged during the action and the construction of the position was stopped afterwards.

Girê Amêdî

The Turkish invading forces attacked a guerrilla position at Girê Amêdî twice with chemical weapons and explosives on Tuesday morning. On the third attempt, the guerrillas struck the unit, using sabotage tactics, killing two soldiers. At noon, another soldier was shot dead by an HPG sniper.

Girê Cûdî

At Girê Cûdî, six attacks with chemical weapons and explosives were carried out by the Turkish army on a guerrilla position between 11 am and 1:10 pm. Afterwards, a sniper unit of the guerrillas intervened and forced the invading troops to partially retreat. In the evening, the guerrillas carried out an action of sabotage against the occupying forces.

Girê FM

Girê FM was bombed by attack helicopters late on Tuesday evening. The guerrillas responded with intense shelling and one helicopter was hit and forced to turn around.

Attacks by the Turkish army

The Turkish army used chemical weapons, explosives and phosphorus bombs against guerrilla positions in the Şikefta Birîndara area. The areas of Girê Amêdî, Girê Hekarî and Karker were affected by further combined attacks with chemical weapons and explosive bombs. According to HPG information, chemical warfare agents of red and grey colour were among them, while another agent was colourless. According to the report, the chemical weapons used triggered a burning sensation in the throat and breathing difficulties.

Air strikes by the Turkish army targeted the regions of Gare, Xakurke, Metîna and Zap. In Metîna, the areas of Girê Hekarî and Girê FM as well as the surrounding areas of the villages of Hiror and Kestê were shelled by Turkish border guards with howitzers and heavy weapons. Gardens of the civilian population were devastated during the bombardments.