The Iranian state is deploying more and more troops towards the guerrilla areas in Eastern Kurdistan and seems to want to escalate the situation. Şiyar Şevger, one of the commanders of the Defence Units of Eastern Kurdistan (YRK), spoke to ANF about the latest developments on the ground. He pointed out that the attacks against the Kurdish people in all four parts of Kurdistan continued uninterruptedly and behind it was an agreement between Iran, Turkey and Iraq to disarm the Kurdish freedom movements.

"There is an agreement according to which the Iranian intelligence service passes on the information it receives about PJAK to the Turkish state and the Turkish army carries out attacks on the basis of this information. Our position is clear: if a movement that claims to be waging a revolutionary struggle gives up the armed struggle, this means death for it. A revolutionary struggle has no meaning at all in this century if you don't have a military defence force and cannot protect society with your own strength and will," Şevger said.

"Movements in the airspace are increasing"

Şevger stated, among other things, that the movements in the airspace of Rojhilat (Eastern Kurdistan) had increased recently: "Every day, reconnaissance planes circle over our areas, the collected information is passed on to the Turkish state by the KDP and Iran, and then attacks on us take place on this basis. However, the Turkish and Iranian states have not been able to achieve any results in these attacks so far and have failed against our Apoist movement."

Şevger described the attacks as part of an intensive and comprehensive attack concept on all parts of Kurdistan. However, he also stated that the resistance continued with determination despite all the attacks and recalled the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" (Woman, Life, Freedom) uprising in Iran and Rojhilat last year: "Our people united with the Baloch, Azerbaijani, Persian and Arab people in the struggle against oppression and against the tyrannical regime. Great sacrifices were made in this struggle in which our people participated on the basis of the ideas and philosophy of Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan)."

"We abide by the ceasefire, and the Iranian state should do the same"

Şevger pointed out that Iranian military movements had increased recently, but the guerrillas continued to abide by the ceasefire: "We are abiding by the ceasefire, and we expect the same from the Iranian state. We are fighting for our country, our people and the oppressed peoples. We are a defensive army. We are for dialogue and a solution, not for war. However, if there is an attack on our people, we will not let it go unanswered."

Warning the Iranian regime not to be taken in by Turkey, Şevger said the following about attacks by the regime in the Mariwan region in recent days: "There have been some attacks in Kosalan and the regime troops are trying to establish positions on some hills. But they should not forget: we are the guerrillas and we are everywhere in Kurdistan. The regime thinks that if it occupies a few peaks and points, then the guerrillas cannot stay in that place. This is a mistake. It is a mistake to occupy these summits. The fascist Iranian state should not try to take advantage of the ceasefire in this way. Right now, our friends have to literally force themselves not to attack."

"Stay away from the guerrilla areas"

Şevger also warned the people against the regime's psychological warfare, which attempts to damage relations between them and the guerrillas. He called for civil mobilisation against the deployment of regime troops and issued a warning to the regime's paramilitary troops, Basij militias and local collaborators: "Stay away from the guerrilla areas, stop trying to harm the freedom struggle and do not pursue the guerrillas."

"Erdal Amed is a symbol of resistance "

Şiyar Şevger concluded his speech by commemorating the YRK commander Erdal Amed (Hesen Mihemedî), who was martyred by a Turkish drone strike near the village of Gelale on Mount Asos in the Iraq-Iran border area on 4 June. " Before joining PJAK, comrade Erdal was a Kurdish patriot who was imprisoned by the Iranian state. Although he was tortured in the most horrible way, he did not say a word. After his release, he joined PJAK. Comrade Erdal is a symbol of anti-fascist resistance, a symbol of resistance against tyranny and oppression against our people. We vow to keep his memory alive by further strengthening our struggle. The youth of Mariwan should follow in his footsteps, take up his legacy and adopt his weapon."