The invading Turkish army continues its attacks against the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan. According to the statement released by the Press Centre of the People's Defence Forces (HPG) on Thursday, the Turkish army carried out 103 attacks with howitzers, tanks and heavy weapons and 1 attack with banned bombs against guerrilla areas.

The Turkish aggression on the guerrilla positions in Sida was responded by guerrillas with heavy weapons in an act of self-defense on March 1st.

On March 2nd, at 06:30 in the morning, a unit of the Free Women's Troops (YJA Star) carried out a defensive action against Turkish occupation forces on Thursday morning in response to the bombardments. According to the HPG statement, one soldier was killed in the action by YJA Star guerrillas using sniper tactics.

On March 1st, the Turkish army attacked the guerrilla positions in Sida with unconventional bombs.

On March 1st and 2nd, the guerrilla positions in Çemço and Sida were shelled 103 times with attack helicopters, howitzers, tanks and heavy weapons.

For the past two years, Turkey has increasingly used banned weapons to occupy the guerrilla areas in southern Kurdistan. Since the beginning of 2021, there have been thousands of attacks with chemical weapons and unconventional bombs. For several days, the HPG has also reported the use of phosphorus shells against guerrilla positions.

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.