While the guerrillas have been in a defensive position for humanitarian reasons since the severe earthquake in the Turkish-Syrian border region on 6 February, the Turkish state continues its attacks against guerrilla areas.
According to the daily statement by the Press Office of the People's Defence Forces (HPG), the Turkish army continues its attacks on guerrilla areas in the Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).
HOG reported that the Turkish army attacked guerrilla areas with banned weapons, fighter jets, howitzers, mortars, tanks and heavy weapons.
In the region of Zap, guerrillas responded to a Turkish attack on Girê Cûdî with heavy weapons on April 22. The self-defense of the guerrillas in self-defense resulted in an armed confrontation.
The guerrilla areas in Sîda were attacked with banned weapons on April 22.
On the same day, four air raids with fighter jets were carried out on Girê Cûdî and Girê Amêdî as well as the surroundings of the nearby village of Sêgirê.
Girê FM, Girê Cûdî, Çemço and Sîda were attacked 47 times with howitzers, mortars, tanks and heavy weapons on 21 and 22 April.
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.
On March 27, the KCK Executive Council co-chair Besê Hozat announced that the unilateral ceasefire would remain in place until after the elections to be held in Turkey on May 14.
According to the annual balance sheet for the war in the Medya Defence Zones, published by the Central Headquarters of the People's Defence Forces on April 14, the Turkish army carried out 3,730 attacks with chemical and other unconventional bombs on guerrilla areas, 4,233 attacks by combat aircraft and 5,628 attacks by combat helicopters.
