Guerrilla resistance to the Turkish invasion of southern Kurdistan continues unabated. The press center of the People's Defense Forces (HPG) reported in a current assessment of the war in the attacked regions of Zap, Avashin and Metina that at least seven Turkish soldiers were killed in the most recent actions on the occasion of the "revolutionary offensives" Bazên Zagrosê and Cenga Xabûr. Two other military personnel were injured, according to HPG figures.

According to the HPG statement, the Şehîd Delal Amed Air Defense Units targeted the Turkish soldiers deployed on Hill Azad in Metina at 20:10 on May 20.  In the course of the action, the Turkish forces were "successfully" hit, HPG said.

Bazên Zagrosê

In the region of Zap, several successive actions with heavy weapons were carried out by guerrillas in Qela Bêdewê and on Hill Şehîd Munzur on May 21. Yesterday, more artillery attacks targeted the Turkish soldiers at Şehîd Serxwebûn hill and in Mervanos near Avashin. The number of soldiers killed and injured here could not be determined.

Last night, actions by HPG and YJA-Star guerrillas focused on the positions of Turkish forces in Kanî Qirêj near Mervanos. Guerrillas proceeded from two sides and shelled the Turkish army's positions. At least one soldier was killed.

Cenga Xabûr

In the guerrilla region of Heftanin, a soldier was shot dead in a sniper attack on the Koordine hill on May 21. In Metina, occupation forces attempted to infiltrate the tunnel systems at the Zendura hill yesterday. The infiltration attempt was successfully repelled, and close-range strikes left one soldier dead and two others wounded. "The remaining occupiers fled without taking their bulletproof shields with them," the HPG said. In the evening, a two-front action targeted the soldiers at the Azad hill, leaving four soldiers dead. The Turkish army responded with bombardments against the battle area before evacuating the dead.

Turkish army airstrikes

HPG also reported further airstrikes against the embattled regions in the Medya Defense Zones, stating the following:

"On May 21 from 10:45 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., as well as on May 22 between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., activities of combat helicopters and bombardments were registered over Derarê and Koordine in Metina.

On May 22, the Geliyê Basya area, located in Avashin, was attacked from border posts with heavy weapons between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. As a result, a wildfire broke out, which still continues.

Between 9:30 and 11 p.m., the areas of Cilo yê Biçûk, Qela Bêdewê and Tîpa T in the Zap region were bombed by attack helicopters, and troops were airdropped on Şehîd Serxwebûn hill. After a while, soldiers were airdropped in Mervanos and Mamreşo, and parallel air strikes targeted Geliyê Basya and Geliyê Avaşîn. No guerrilla casualties resulted from the bombardments."