In an interview with the Dengê Welat radio station, Free Women’s Troops (YJA Star) guerrillas Havva Koçer and Viyan Botan spoke about the latest situation in the Medya Defense Zones. Since April 23, the Turkish army has been trying to occupy the region in southern Kurdistan with all its might. The guerrillas are resisting fiercely.

In your opinion, how should the attacks by the Turkish state be evaluated?

Havva Koçer: The war didn't really start on April 23. When the ceasefire (2015) was over, the attacks on our movement started. AKP/MHP fascism started an invasion against Zap, Avaşîn and Metîna areas this year on April 23 and escalated the attacks further. Before that, the first attacks were directed against the Heftanîn area. They also wanted to invade Gare, but the will of the friends, their sacrifices and their resistance led to the victory over the enemy. The resistance to the attacks that then began on Zap, Avaşîn and Metîna on April 23 led to the enemy being stuck. The main goal of the murderous AKP/MHP regime was to occupy the entire Medya Defense Zones within a month or two. Great resistance developed in these regions under the leadership of YJA Star. This has become visible to all. The will of the friends and their willingness to sacrifice give us great morale. It comes from the strength we draw from Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan].

Viyan Botan: Since April, there has been an all-out war. The Turkish state wants to destroy the Kurdish people, the guerrillas and the freedom movement. It uses all kinds of prohibited weapons, including chemical weapons. It knows no law of war. However, the resistance of the guerrillas continues. Despite the attacks of the Turkish state, the guerrillas continue their effective actions. If we look at the developments, we can see that the guerrillas are getting closer to victory.

How should the resistance led by YJA Star against the attacks of the Turkish state be viewed and how should it be participated in this process?

Havva Koçer: It was the will of women that impressed the world the most in this war. The struggle is led by women. It has produced many heroines. The fighters of YJA Star have carried out many effective actions. In this war, the female fighters made it clear that women can succeed in all fields. The women fighters do not accept surrender, they fight to defend their will. When the Turkish state could not break the resistance of the guerrillas, it resorted to chemical weapons. Therefore, the fight against the enemy requires a strong will, commitment and a deep ideological bond. We will follow in their footsteps in our struggle with the strength of our fallen friends.

Viyan Botan: The role of YJA Star in the resistance in Metîna, Zap and Avaşîn is very significant. The YJA Star fighters have carried out many effective and successful actions against the enemy. You can see the fear and terror that the soldiers experience during these actions in their eyes.

What is the military situation right now?

Havva Koçer: There is an international law of war, but in this war you see that the Turkish state has neither the strength nor the determination to win, so it attacks employing dirty methods. It does not recognize any rules of war. For example, it is now using weapons that are banned worldwide. In front of the eyes of the whole world, it is attacking with chemical weapons. The Turkish state has also used chemical weapons in the past and is doing so again because it is stuck in a deadlock. But despite all that, it still has not been able to make any progress.

Viyan Botan: The YJA Star fighters were already fighting in the Heftanîn war before the April 23 attacks. Now they are also playing their role in the Medya Defense Zones. This is a great success for the women guerrillas. In general, the guerrillas are putting up great resistance. The enemy has not managed to penetrate the war tunnels, and since the Turkish state wants to win this war, it is using chemical weapons. Of course, the guerrillas have tactics and methods against this. The guerrillas are never without alternatives.

How is the resistance developing under the leadership of the YJA Star? What do you expect from the Kurdish people?

Havva Koçer: The resistance, led by YJA Star and HPG, had an impact both in Kurdistan and abroad. The struggle against all kinds of oppression and violence in Turkey, led by women, young people and all sections of society, reflects this. Our people in Europe and Kurdistan are always in action. They are continuously active. This is the influence of the guerrillas. The resistance of the guerrillas in the mountains of Kurdistan is spreading to all areas. It creates a new spirit.

Viyan Botan: A great war is being waged under the leadership of the YJA Star. The Kurdish people and their friends support the resistance of the guerrillas and help. This also creates strength on an international level at the same time. And we, the fighters of the YJA Star, will defeat the enemy and triumph in this war.