Reports came through yesterday that Turkish state forces used chemical gas in order to enter the neighborhoods protected by popular resistance for self-rule in Hakkari's Gever (Yüksekova) district.

According to reports, as many as 40 people were killed by chemical gas yesterday, and their bodies were completely burned. Locals asked for action against the use of chemical gas that endangered their lives as well.

Local people told that soldiers participating in the operation were wearing gas masks on their face and oxygen tube on their back. Accordingly, most of the bodies are burned, melted and unrecognizable.

In the wake of yesterday's massacre, state forces have started to shell the neighborhoods in the early morning hours today despite the heavy snow.

Troops at Efeler Battalion and District Regimental Command as well as tanks deployed in and around the town are carrying out bombardments on Zagros (Cumhuriyet), Güngör, Orman, Mezarlık and Eski Kışla neighborhoods.

Heavy clashes are taking place in some areas as Civilian Defense Units YPS and YPS-JIN continue mounting resistance against the attacks.