The Defense Units of Eastern Kurdistan (YRK) Command released a statement providing information about ongoing Iranian military action against their forces.

According to the statement on Saturday, the operation launched by the Iranian regime forces on June 12 in the region of Kosalan is continuing. Hundreds of troops are taking part in the operation accompanied by unmanned aerial vehicles, military vehicles and heavy construction equipment.

The areas of Dewr Çor, Dere Tifê, Kanî Sanan, Serdoş, Qarawe and Qeuleberd in the Kosalan region, located in the countryside of Mariwan, were targeted by heavy artillery attacks last night, YRK stated.

According to the YRK statement on Friday, Kosalan has been declared a restricted military area and civilians are not allowed to enter the region. On 13 and 14 June, fighting took place between the Iranian army and the YRK.

According to Iranian official news agencies, a member of Besic (an intelligence-based paid paramilitary militia affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards) was killed during the fighting between the Iranian troops and the YRK forces. The Besic member in question was reported to have been a long-time spy working for the Iranian regime together with his brother.

The YRK and HPJ (Women's Defence Units of Eastern Kurdistan) are the guerrilla armies of the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK) and are also repeatedly attacked by Turkey. On 4 June, a YRK fighter was killed in a Turkish drone attack in the Asos Mountains in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Air strikes by Turkey in violation of international law have been routine for years in the region, which lies about 200 kilometres from the Turkish state border.