The Press Centre of the People’s Defence Forces (HPG) published a statement providing information about the Turkish army’s attacks on the guerrilla-held Medya Defence Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq). According to the statement, the guerrillas in Sîda in the Zap region continue to resist the occupying forces. The Turkish army has been trying to capture the guerrillas’ underground defence positions in the area for over a year and a half, using its entire arsenal of weapons.

As early as September, it was reported that one square kilometre around the position had been devastated by the massive bombing. After the airstrikes, the army used heavy construction equipment to destroy the tunnels. The guerrillas of the HPG and YJA Star (Free Women’s Troops) continue to fight against these attempts with the means at their disposal. On 11 February, a shovel excavator was hit by the guerrillas several times with sabotage tactics, hand grenades and light weapons and forced to retreat. On 15 February, the guerrillas carried out further attacks on an excavator using hand grenades and light firearms.

37 air strikes by fighter jets within six days

According to the HPG, the Medya Defence Zones were bombed 37 times by Turkish fighter jets between 16 and 21 February. The targets of the aerial bombardments were the areas of Deşta Kafya, Yekmalê and Neqeba Xêrê in Gare, Girê Bahar and Girê Amêdî in the western Zap region, Ava Lolanê, Sinînê, Xinêrêya Jor and Goşînê in Xakurke, Şehîd Îbrahîm in Zap as well as Dergelê, Şêlazê, Bêşîlî and Serê Metîna in Metîna. The Girê Çarçel in Metîna was bombed by combat helicopters on 19 February.