Speaking to ANF about the ongoing attacks of Turkish military forces against the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in South Kurdistan, YJA-Star (Free Women's Troops) Commander Zozan Berçelan said the attacks will not go unanswered and will face a strong response by guerrillas.

YJA-Star Commander Zozan Berçelan stressed that they didn't side with war after the peace process, but also that they wouldn't remain silent to the attacks of the Turkish state which aimed an elimination and annihilation of Kurds.

Remarking that AKP started a wave of repression against civilian politics and the Kurdish people after witnessing the HDP's success and following victory in the process of June 7 elections, Berçelan said this was followed by airstrikes against guerrilla areas, adding; 

''Despite all these attacks, we wanted to remain loyal to the process of ceasefire and solution that had been initiated by our Leader in 2013. We therefore didn't want a war. However, attacks have continued increasingly, in the face of which it is not possible for us to remain silent.''

Recalling that Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan is denied contact with four months now, in addition to the denial of visits by his lawyers for over three years, YJA-Star Commander said; ''AKP should know very well that it cannot break the will of guerrillas by means of such attacks and policies of oppression. As guerrilla forces, we are always ready, and as HPG and YJA-Star guerrillas, we will give a sharp response to these attacks. Guerrilla forces will not treat the happenings and remain in passive position in the way they have done so far. Everything has changed now.''

'AKP DEFEAT IN ELECTIONS CAUSED A DEADLOCK IN POLITICS'

YJA-Star Commander remarked that the defeat of the AKP in June elections caused a deadlock in politics, and that AKP started a war to overcome this deadlock, by conducting military attacks against the guerrillas with an aim for the elimination of the PKK and the Kurdish people.

''AKP should know that it can no more accomplish a result from these policies against our movement which has waged a struggle for long years. The more losses we suffer, the more gains we achieve.''

Berçelan noted that the Turkish state continued its attacks on Medya Defense Zones for many years, which didn't have a remarkable affect, but pointed to the purpose, intention and approach of the AKP in conducting these attacks now.

''Guerrillas don't take these attacks seriously which Turkish forces are carrying out to take the Zap and some other regions under their control. They did and tried the same in 2008. However, they know very well what they faced then, which they will face this time as well.''

'WE ARE READY FOR BOTH PEACE AND WAR'

Berçelan stated that HPG and YJA-Star guerrillas were now both responding to the attacks in North Kurdistan, and carrying out actions in memory of Şervan Varto who was martyred in recent airstrikes.

''We have to respond to the attacks as long as they continue. Our preparations also continue for the coming period. We are ready for both peace and war. The path to popular revolution is open for us now, as has been proved by Rojava. The people of North Kurdistan are also ready for this. It is time for an all-out popular battle now.''

YJA-Star Commander ended by calling on youths to get organised accordingly, to object to and disallow repression, detention and arrests, and to take to the mountains.