The Turkish state continues its attacks against the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) amidst the earthquake disaster that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
In its daily statement about the war in southern Kurdistan, the Press Office of the People's Defence Forces (HPG) reported continued Turkish use of phosphorus bombs in guerrilla areas on 23 February, Thursday.
Accordingly, the Turkish army carried out 25 attacks with phosphorus-containing shells and banned weapons against guerrilla positions.
In the region of Zap, Turkish forces attacked guerrilla forces in Gire Cudi Resistance Area with heavy weapons. The guerrillas responded to the attack with heavy weapons to defend themselves.
The guerrilla positions in the vicinity of the Sida village, located in the Sheladize sub-district in the district of Amadiya, were attacked by the Turkish army 25 times with phosphorus-containing shells and banned weapons.
The areas of Gire Bahar, Gire Amediye and the vicinity of Sida village were shelled by Turkish fighter jets 10 times.
83 other attacks with howitzers, mortars, tanks and heavy weapons were directed against the Gire Cudi and Gire Amediye resistance areas, the Çemço region and the surroundings of Sida village.
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.
