Fire broke out in many areas as a result of the Turkish army's bombardment on guerrilla-controlled Zap region, while Yuksekova countryside are reportedly bombed by cobra type helicopters.

People’s Defence Forces press office HPG-BIM reported that both of the attacks took place on June 16. According to the statement of HPG-BIM, on June 16, between 08.00-12.00 a.m., Turkish army carried out mortar and howitzer attacks on Çiyareþ, Mahir Mîrzo, Xeregol hills, Þikefta Birindara area and Sernê, Basê, Nêrve, Reþmê and Horê villages in Medya Defence Territories controlled by the Kurdish guerrillas.

HPG-BIM said; "The fire started in Horê and Sernê villages due to the attack still continues."

It was stated that Satê, Zê, Geliyê Satê, Þehit Karker and “Þehit Gafur” hills in Gever/Hakkari were also dropped bombs with cobra type helicopters at about 10.00 a.m. of the same day.

TURKISH ARMY LIKE AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER

In an age when global warming threatens the world even more with each passing day,the Turkish army is among the most destructive forces against the nature. Especially in 2010, Turkish army set a large number of forests and lands on fire.

According to the 2010-Human Rights Violations report of IHD Diyarbakir Branch, 98 forests in Kurdistan were set on fire in a few months. The number of fires started in 2010, which burned down tens of thousand hectares of lands, can be listed as follows; May 2010: 1, June 2010: 7, July 2010: 28, August 2010: 48, September 2010: 8, October 2010: 1, November 2010: 2, December 2010: 3.

62 fires were started between June-September in 2009.

Translation: Berna Ozgencil