The Kurdish guerrillas of the HPG and YJA Star have relied on mobile units with a smaller number of fighters and greater professionalism in the fight against the Turkish army in 2021. Avaşîn Cûdî and Berxwedan Jiyan took part in the revolutionary guerrilla offensive Cenga Xabûrê and tolf ANF about their impressions. For both of them it is clear that the conviction shaped by the ideas of Abdullah Öcalan and the willingness of the fighters to make sacrifices is decisive for the successes they have experienced.

"As YJA Star, we trust in our strength"

YJA star fighter Avaşîn Cûdî says: "The Turkish state has used all prohibited weapons in this war, including chemical warfare agents. This has been resisted in the war tunnels and everywhere in the mountains. From a tactical point of view, professionalisation has taken place. We dealt big blows to the Turkish army with small units.

The Turkish state is excessive and knows no rules in war. We are fighting against this with our strength, will and solidarity. We are moving forward with the ideas of Rêber Apo [Abdullah Ocalan]. That is why we can withstand chemical weapons. For this reason, the PKK cannot be wiped out with these weapons and bombings.

When one friend falls, dozens of other people take their place. Even if only one person of us remains, our movement will continue and win. We will break the isolation of Rêber Apo with our successful actions. This war has already shown that the Turkish state and its fascist system are falling apart. Our struggle will lead to its collapse. The attitude of the guerrilla is clear: this war is the struggle for victory. Therefore, we are participating in it with a sacrificial attitude.

In 2021, both the Turkish state and the KDP carried out massive attacks on the guerrilla areas. When the Turkish invasion started in Avaşîn and Zap, the operation in Metîna started at the same time. In this context, the KDP also attacked in the spring. It is common knowledge that the guerrillas are in these areas. Neither the Iraqi army nor the KDP were present here. The fact that the KDP troops advanced into Metîna at the same time as the Turkish attacks showed that they are working together with the Turkish state.

They came to Çarçel with a large number of armoured cars. Their real aim was to attack the guerrillas. We could have given a massive response to this, but the guerrillas wanted to serve the aims of Rêber Apo and prevent an internal Kurdish war. Our movement warned the KDP several times. The intention of the Barzanî family has become clear. It has passed on the coordinates of the guerrilla's whereabouts to the Turkish state several times, which has led to the death of friends of ours.

As YJA Star, we actively participated in this war. There has been a professionalisation in the branches, which has increased our effectiveness. Women's leadership creates strength and courage in the struggle. The women in the mountains are significantly influencing the course of the war. As YJA Star, we trust in our strength. We stand behind the work of Rêber Apo and will continue to show successful practice."

"We have nothing to lose"

HPG member Berxweden Jiyan explains: "In the ongoing battles in this war, professionalisation in various branches have become evident. Sabotage, snipers, heavy weapons and other methods are used to shake the enemy's system. In today's war, the guerrillas are renewing themselves all the time, making the enemy's sophisticated technology fail. In particular, sniper tactics have a devastating effect on the enemy's psyche.

The guerrillas have further professionalised themselves in the revolutionary offensives Bazên Zagrosê and Cenga Xabûrê. The Turkish occupation attacks on the Medya Defence Zones have been brought to nothing with professional methods and tactics. When the soldiers want to take up a position, they cannot even raise their heads for fear of the guerrillas' snipers. They could not approach the fighting areas with their Sikorsky helicopters and could not airdrop soldiers. For this reason, the Turkish soldiers from Zagros to Metîna were psychologically shattered, they did not dare to take a step forward.

They were so proud of their weapons technology but failed in the face of guerrilla tactics. They failed in Siyanê in Gare and also suffered a historic collapse in Mamreşo, Zendura, Girê Sor and Werxelê. The guerrillas have prevented South Kurdistan from being occupied. At every step of the Turkish troops, either a mine has detonated or they have been attacked by the guerrillas.

The enemy dreamed of taking Gare within three to four months, but in the meantime a year has passed and this dream has not come true. They have positioned themselves in some places, but there too are our mobile units ready to be deployed at any moment.

The Turkish state can try to lie to society 24 hours a day through its special war media. Our actions continue from Heftanîn to the Zagros Mountains without interruption. The guerrillas are everywhere, dealing heavy blows to the occupiers. The Turkish state is stuck in these areas. For this reason, it has used chemical weapons. Nevertheless, all the places where he wanted to get stuck have become hell for him. The guerrillas are not giving him time to catch his breath anywhere in Kurdistan. He has not been able to hold on in Werxelê and Tabura Ereban and we will not give him space anywhere. Where the guerrillas live, the Turkish occupation forces cannot live. The mountains are the guerrillas' living space. The guerrillas are fighting and resisting, so the enemy cannot stay in our mountains. That was clear from the beginning anyway. The Turkish soldiers have been beaten back halfway.

Our mobile units are very effective in war. A professional guerrilla unit of three people can stop an entire army unit. Our goal is the physical freedom of Rêber Apo. For this we will fight at any cost and we will achieve our goal. The enemy has been defeated to a certain extent and the guerrilla struggle will lead to great successes in the coming year. We will never forget the aggression of the enemy and we will retaliate. We have nothing to lose and we will be victorious."