HPG (People's Defense Forces) Press and Communication Centre has released a statement about the operation of the Turkish army at Mountain Tendürek.

HPG stated that the operation of the Turkish army at Tendürek was a preplanned pinpoint raid, and that it was the Turkish soldiers that opened the first fire.

HPG reported that the Turkish army launched an air-supported operation at Mountain Tendürek area in Diyadin district of Ağrı at the night of 10 April. “In the operation, which was carried out in the manner of a pinpoint raid, a clash erupted after the Turkish military opened the first fire at 3 am at the night of 11 April. Canfeda Serhat (Serhat Kızılay) who bravely fought in this clash was martyred while one other guerrilla was wounded.”

According to the statement, guerrillas mounted strong resistance as part of fair self-defense against the attack, leaving 5 soldiers of the Turkish army dead and 7 others wounded. Clashes in which the initiative was taken by the guerrillas lasted till the evening while the Turkish army reclaimed the casualties and arms on the ground after putting the civilians between the two sides.

During the operation which was also supported by 4 Cobra-type attack helicopters, guerrillas damaged two helicopters while the withdrawing Turkish troops left a large quantity of ammunition in the clashes area. HPG added that the Turkish army was continuing its activities with air vehicles and reconaissance flights in the region following the clashes.

'Cezmi Budak martyred as a result of fire by Turkish army'

The statement remarked that civilian people and democratic circles who intervened to end clashes were targeted by the attack of Turkish troops, leaving HDP Diyadin former co-chair Cezmi Budak dead and patriot civilian Cenap İlboğa wounded.

HPG offered condolences to Cezmi Budak's family and the people of Diyadin, and wished a speedy recovery to Cenap İlboğa.

'Operation was preplanned'

Referring to the statements of the Turkish General Staff, Presidency, Prime Ministry and warmongering media which claimed that “guerrillas joined the spring festival and put pressure on the people”, HPG said that these were fabricated news put forward for disinformation, stressing that it was quite out of the question for the guerrillas to join this festival.

“The operation by the Turkish army was entirely preplanned and started one day before the festival organised by Kurdish people and democratic institutions, not in the rural areas where guerrillas are positioned”, HPG said.

ID of the martyred guerrilla

HPG stated that Serhat Kızılay from Iğdır province of North Kurdistan, nom de guerre Canfeda Serhat, lost his life in the operation, adding that HGP Central Headquarters Command would release a statement on the subject today.