HPG (People's Defense Forces) Press Office has released a statement reporting an expansive action by guerrilla forces against Turkish troops deployed in Oremar region at the border of Hakkari's Yüksekova (Gever) district.
HPG said guerrillas launched an expansive action from three sides against Turkish troops deployed on Martyr Bager, Martyr Rahime and Martyr Zerdeşt hills on March 4th.
The first group started the action against Martyr Bager hill in the morning of March 5. Soldiers evacuated the area before the action by guerrillas that therewith seized control over the hill.
The second guerrilla unit targeted the Martyr Rahime hill, hitting and destroying all the emplacements and the huge military tent with bombs at around 20:00 in the evening. At least 6 soldiers were verified killed here.
The third guerrilla group hit the troops positioned on Zerdeşt hill, as a result of which many emplacements of the Turkish units here were destroyed. Clashes in the hill lasted till the morning of March 6 when guerrillas conducted another action aimed at all emplacements which were therewith completely seized in the wake of heavy clashes. 20 soldiers were killed in the hill where guerrillas seized the control, upon which Turkish jets and helicopters bombarded the scene with intense mortar, howitzer and artillery fire.
According to the HPG statement, a total of 26 soldiers were killed and many others were wounded as a result of these actions of 4-5 March which were carried out in retaliation to the ongoing massacres in North Kurdistan, and in memory of the recently fallen guerrillas.
Following the actions by guerrillas, Turkish troops in Oremar outpost shelled Martyr Gafur hill between 08:00-15:30 yesterday. Martyr Rahime hill was also bombed by Turkish forces from 10:30 yesterday morning till early this morning. Troops in Oremar outpost also bombarded Martyr Feraşin hill at 17:00 on 6 March evening.
While Turkish military activity and UAV flights in the area continue, Martyr Gafur and Martyr Rahime hills were bombed by Turkish jets between 12:00-13:30 today.