While the operations of the Turkish military against guerrilla held areas continue, so do the retaliation attacks of the guerrillas affiliated to HPG (People's Defense Forces). At least 10 soldiers and one police were killed in the most recent actions by guerrillas.

HPG Press Office has released a statement about the ongoing attacks of the Turkish military forces against guerrilla held areas and the retaliation actions conducted by guerrillas in response to the attacks.

HPG reported that the Turkish army has been conducting intense bombing on Heftanin border line with heavy weaponry from Gülyazı Regiment, Hill Maymun and Hill Çete military posts since August 18 and added that the guerrilla actions against the intense military activity here also continues. Guerrillas carried out a sabotage action against two armored vehicles that attempted to enter the Martyr Gafur area at between 09.00 - 10.00 on August 23. The action left the two vehicles damaged while the number of Turkish army’s casualties could not be clarified.

Regarding the actions carried out by the guerrilla forces in the scope of “Martyr Reşit Serdar Initiative”, HPG gave the following information:

Guerrillas hit the Grana military post at the Avashin border line with heavy weaponry at 10:00 on August 23. Following the action, Grana and Rubarok military posts bombarded Govendê areas with mortars and howitzers.

Guerrillas carried out an action against Bilican military post at the border to Zap region with heavy weaponry at between 08.30 - 09.30 on August 23, hitting one tower of the post with mortar fires and an area where five soldiers were present, yet the number of casualties remains unclear.

On August 23, guerrillas also hit Eriş military post, after which troops at the post launched a bombardment against Xeregol, Gundê Zerê and Şelalê areas, while another bombardment from Bilican military post targeted the areas of Martyr Baran, Hill Martyr Şervan, Martyr Neval, Hill Güvenlik, Gareya Piçuk and Gareya Mezin.

A convoy of Turkish troops on move from Çukurca to the Hakkari entered the Davuşa village and damaged the houses of the people in the evening hours on August 23. Turkish soldiers later entered the village mosque and threw down a Quran on the ground. In an action against this troop, guerrillas killed 2 soldiers in a clash that lasted around 2 hours.

In a sabotage action, guerrillas destroyed a base station located between Bêzeno and Bêdewê military posts in Şemdinli on August 22. Additionally, two other base stations in Novelya village in Şemdinli were also burnt down and destroyed by guerrillas in the evening hours on August 23.

The roads between Hakkari–Çukurca and Yüksekova–Oremar military posts as well as those from Mergêzere to Şıtaza and Oremar military posts are under control of guerrillas.

ACTIONS IN MEMORIES OF MARTYR HARUN AND MATRY PALE

HPG went reporting that guerrillas destroyed a base station of two GSM operators in Erbak village of Siirt's Perwari district at 13: 00 on August 23. Following the action, there took place an intense reconnaissance activity over the area.

Guerrillas also destroyed another base station of two GSM operators in Eruh district of Siirt at 20:30 on August 23.

Following the guerrilla actions on August 22, the Turkish army launched an extensive operation in order to ensure the security of Amed's Farqin (Silvan) dam by positioning village guards on the hill where the dam station is located. Operational forces were also deployed in many areas.

Guerrillas infiltrated into one of these emplacements at 05:30 on August 23, killing 4 soldiers and completely destroying the emplacement. One more soldier was killed and many others were wounded as guerrillas hit another emplacement 20 meters to there.

Turkish forces attempted to intervene the clash through village guards, and also hit the surroundings of Hesendin village with two Cobra type helicopters, which started a fire that is still going on. Turkish army removed its casualties with 3 ambulances and one transit vehicle after the clash.

HPG said this action was carried out in memory of HPG fighters Pale and Harun fell in a clash in Adıyaman last week.

Guerrillas carried out another action in Stılilê town of Mardin's Nusaybin district at 21:00 on August 23. One riot police member by the name of Yakup Mete was killed in an assassination action after he didn't end his involvement in intelligence activities in the region despite several previous warnings to leave this job. One base station in the town was also burnt down and destroyed.

Turkish army laid ambushes in the villages of Zonê, Dêrduk and Kuferdel in Mardin's Artuklu district and at the entrances of Barman village of Stewrê district at 00:00 on August 23. The operation was retreated without any results at 15:00 in the afternoon.

Guerrillas closed the road between Bingöl and Erzurum at between 21.30 and 22.00 on August 23 and informed the people about the ongoing process during ID checks.

Guerrillas carried out a targeted attack on the military post Dokuztaş Base Area in Hizan district of Bitlis at 13:00 on August 23. While it could not be clarified if the targeted soldier died or not, a short clash took place after soldiers at the post responded to the attack. Following the clash, Turkish soldiers shelled the surroundings of the military post and the Nanivan area at 19:00.

HPG reported that a counter group of 15 persons dressed in guerrilla uniforms carry out activities in Kıx and Kiştinos villages of Tatik town in Bitlis.

Guerrillas infiltrated on a hill held by Kule military post in Karayazı district of Erzurum at 21:00 on August 23. Following the action which left two soldiers dead, Turkish soldiers opened random fire on the surroundings of the military post.

One soldier was killed in an assassination attack carried out by guerrillas against Zagê military post in Dersim at 18:00 on August 23.

ATTACKS BY THE TURKISH ARMY CONTINUE

HPG lastly provided information about the attacks carried out by Turkish forces against guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in South Kurdistan lands. HPG reported the following bombardments conducted by Turkish troops with mortars and howitzers;

- Sivri military post at Avashin border line targeted Hill Sor and its foothills at between 11.00 - 12.00 and 18.00 - 19.00 on August 23.

- Oremar, Sivri and Bilican military posts targeted areas of Martyr Gafur, Dola Maryr Özgür and Hill Martyr Reşit Serdar at between 11.00 - 12.00 on August 23.

- Aruş and Serbesta military posts at Metina border line targeted Kuroşino area at between 17.00 - 18.00 on August 23.

- Eriş military post at Zap region border line targeted Xeregol area at between 09.00 - 12.00 on August 23.

- Eriş and Bilican military posts targeted Dola Şifreza and its surroundings at between 23.00 - 23.30 on August 23.

According to the statement of the HPG, Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles carried out reconnaissance flights over the following areas:

- Gare area of Medya Defense Zones at between 10.30 - 14.30 on August 23,

- Metina area of Medya Defense Zones at between 23:00 on August 23 and 02:30 on August 24,

- Zap region of Medya Defense Zones at between 08.00 on August 23 and 12.00 on August 24.