The People’s Defence Forces have accused the Turkish army of using phosphorus bombs in attacks on guerrilla-held areas in the Medya Defence Zones in Iraqi Kurdistan. Turkish attacks have continued despite a unilateral ceasefire declared by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party on 1 March.

Kurdish guerrillas report Turkish Army’s use of phosphorous bombs

The People’s Defence Forces (HPG), the armed wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has reported the use of phosphorous bombs by the Turkish army against the guerrilla-held Medya Defence Zones, a region of high mountains along the Turkish border in Iraqi Kurdistan.

According to a statement by the HPG’s Press Centre on Sunday, guerrilla tunnels in Iraqi Kurdistan’s Zap valley, about six kilometres from the Turkish border, were bombed four times on Thursday and Friday, 6-7 March, with phosphorus-enriched shells, the use of which is tightly regulated under international law, as it causes severe burns when in contact with human skin and can lead to fires in vegetation.

In addition, the HPG reported a total of 34 bombardments by planes and helicopters and 919 attacks with artillery, howitzers and heavy weapons, against guerrilla-held areas from 6-8 March.

The escalation of Turkish military operations comes despite renewed calls for peace by imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, and a unilateral ceasefire declared by the PKK on 1 March.