HPG Headquarters Commander-in-Chief Murat Karayılan confirmed the use of chemical weapons by the Turkish army in its current attacks on South Kurdistan.

Speaking to Stêrk TV, Karayılan said: “The Turkish army is using sophisticated technology and Islamist mercenaries in its attacks in South Kurdistan. Where it gets nowhere, it uses poison gas. It does not use it over a wide area, but in a very targeted manner. For example, in a particular area, from which it then stays away for a few days.”

Karayılan added: “I would like to give an example: On Mount Mamreşo, our friends resisted the Turkish army's attacks for ten days without interruption. Therefore, it couldn`t advance there. That is why it used poison gas on Mamreşo. There are no bullet wounds on the bodies of our friends who fell martyr there. The Turkish army confiscated their bodies. So anyone who wants to examine them for traces of poison gas should contact the Turkish authorities. Since the Turkish attacks began on April 24, 18 of our friends have been martyred. There is currently no contact with 6 more. A total of 187 Turkish soldiers have been killed and 20 injured. As a first step, the Turkish army wants to create a buffer zone along the border so that it can then occupy all of Kurdistan.“