HPG and YJA Star commanders pointed to the guerrillas’ strength and level of preparation, emphasizing that the enemy forces would not be able to break their will. The commanders stressed that they believed in themselves, their people and leader. “A holy war is being waged and this will bring victory,” they said.

Commanders from the HPG (People’s Defense Forces) and YJA Star (Free Women’s Troops) spoke to ANF about the Turkish army's invasion operation in the Zap and Avaşîn regions of the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq), ongoing since April 14.

‘THIS HOLY WAR WILL BRING A VICTORY’

Sozdar Evîn, one of the YJA Star commanders, revealed that a new phase has begun in 2022 and there has been a very fierce war as the invading Turkish army attacks the lands of Kurdistan.

Evîn noted that she had taken charge in Zap previously, stating, “I know how motivated the comrades fighting there are, how committed they are to that land and what tactical preparations they have. The Turkish forces did not specifically use chemical weapons in the very beginning, but now they are using chemicals against our comrades who are fighting in a spirit of victory and true comradeship. Most recently, they shot down a Sikorsky helicopter. The enemy was hiding their casualties while we were there. We saw that their troops escaped shouting and getting lost in the field.”

The YJA Star commander pointed out that the guerrillas in Zap knew the enemy very well, prepared and fought accordingly. “Maybe we are not physically in that area right now, but we are together with our comrades with all our spirit and concentration. Every time we see our comrades strike the enemy with morale and enthusiasm, our morale is boosted. This is a holy war which will bring victory. As a woman, I want to express all my feelings: maybe we are not there physically, but we are with them in every way. All kinds of savage, treacherous and conspiratorial attacks will be frustrated. As their comrades, we gain strength from them. Whatever happens, victory will be ours."

‘THE STRUGGLE TAKES ITS SOURCE FROM MARTYRS’

HPG commander Cemal Erdal remarked that there are some important stages that the Kurdish Freedom Movement has been through. He noted that very important achievements concerning organization were also gained, pointing to the martyrs of May.

“If we can carry out a full-scale struggle against the attacks of the Turkish state today, it is undoubtedly thanks to these martyrs. We want to win victory with their legacy. The struggle currently carried out in Zap, Avaşîn, Metîna and other areas takes its source from the martyrs. The martyrs make a free Kurdistan possible. The idea of a free life is inspired by them. Undoubtedly, all of this has a meaning. In other words, the more meaning a person attaches to them, the more insufficient he considers himself. On this basis, I once again commemorate the martyrs of May,” Erdal said.

‘AN UNPRECEDENTED RESISTANCE’

The HPG commander continued, “Currently, a very strong struggle is being waged in Zap, Avaşîn, Metîna, Xakurke and other parts of Kurdistan. The Turkish forces are carrying out very severe attacks. Undoubtedly, there has been unprecedented resistance against them. A unique resistance is being mounted. Our comrades do not allow the occupation forces to occupy the Kurdish soil or get positioned there. The current struggle has shown that no matter what, we will not allow the Turkish forces to occupy and remain on the land of Kurdistan.

Undoubtedly, these attacks have a meaning. Maybe Kurdistan is not like any other country. The Kurdish people are a unique nation in terms of their national features, culture and historical sources. The reason why they have attacked Kurdistan with all their forces is obvious to us. They want to leave the soils that have created the Kurdish culture without a culture. They want to leave the lands where the Kurdish identity was first formed without identity. They want to make the lands where the Kurdish language first developed speechless. Therefore, they seek to expand their attacks. Without a doubt, all of this is meaningful. Although there are so many attacks against the freedom forces with advanced weaponry, they cannot break the will of the Kurdish people and the Kurdistan freedom guerrillas. This is partly thanks to the characteristics of this organization. Maybe its examples have been experienced numerous times in the history of the party. No matter how rigorous the attacks are, and despite their cutting-edge warfare, the will of the Kurdistan freedom guerrillas does not allow the invaders to invade Kurdistan! In fact, this is the Apoist spirit revealed in the 21st century. The source of this resistance comes from the Apoist militancy. The enemy may not have noticed it yet, but it will never be able to break the will of the Kurdish people and the Kurdish freedom guerrillas. This has become clear once again on the battlefield. As long as the Apoist line exists, we will not allow an occupation in Kurdistan.”

‘TURKISH ARMY IS STUCK, RECEIVING SERIOUS BLOWS’

HPG commander Dağıstan Intikam remarked that the Turkish state has been carrying out large-scale attacks in the whole of Kurdistan from Afrin to Zagros for the last 6 years. “The Turkish forces will not get any results. They are currently stuck on the ground, receiving serious blows. We do not allow them to move freely, from Afrin to Zagros. The Turkish forces should know this very well: we will not let them move freely in the holy land of Kurdistan even if there is only one guerrilla left. We believe in ourselves, our people and our leader. They will never break our will. Turkey aggravates isolation on Öcalan so that it can cut off the connection between the Kurdish people and the guerrillas to get results in the war. This is an illusion, because Öcalan raised such an army and movement that we are bound by a common spirit. The Turkish forces will also be defeated in Avaşîn and Zap. All the comrades there are in high spirits and strong. We all know that if the enemy wins, its next target will be the whole of Bashur (South Kurdistan). It will target all the achievements of the Kurdish people. Our people in Bashur should be aware of this and raise their voices accordingly. If you remain silent, your city will be invaded, and you will be removed from your place.”