People’s Defence Forces (HPG) Press Office has reported in a written statement that the military activity of the Turkish forces increasingly continues in North Kurdistan and the border line. HPG stressed that it was due to the responsible and attentive attitude of the guerrilla forces that these activities haven't reach a dangerous level.

HPG reported that the Turkish military forces carried out an operation against Şkêrê Spî area in Şemzinan (Şemdinli) district of Hakkari between 10:00 -12:30 on 21 May and had to retreat back without any results after the warning fire opened by the guerrilla forces. HPG added that drone activity was also carried out over the same area the same day between 22:00-22:30.

HPG said the Turkish soldiers opened fire with heavy weapons on the area around Oremar military post in Gever (Yüksekova) district of Hakkari between 12:00 and 16:00 on 19 May as well as between 20:00 – 21:00 on 21 May, adding that warplanes of the Turkish army carried out flights over the same area between 16:30 - 18:00 and 20:00 – 21:00 on 21 May.

On 21 May at 06:00, the Turkish military launched an operation on Tansîyê area of Mazıdağı district of Muş, retreating at around 12:00 without obtaining any results, said the statement of the HPG, also reporting another operation with armoured vehicles, which targeted the Kanîya Kewê area around Mount Kozmê between Pasur district of Amed and Muş at 12:00 the same day.

HPG said the Turkish forces retreated at 17:00 without any results, adding that guards were stationed in the area during the retreat. HPG said the guards are attempting at provocations, while the guerrilla forces keep their positions without responding.

Ambushes in Muş

HPG reported that the Turkish soldiers have been laying ambushes in Şenık, Semale and Mount Kurtı areas of Muş over the last 12 days.

Counter-guerrilla activity

People’s Defence Forces went on saying that a counter-guerrilla unit of 4 persons, in guerrilla uniforms, stopped a car on Amed-Pasur highway and confiscated the money and some other material goods of the driver to provoke the local people against the guerrilla forces. Remarking that the guerrilla forces are well aware of these dirty, special war games of the Turkish military and will continue to act in a responsible and attentive way against these provocations, HPG noted that the guerrilla forces are taking measures to protect the people and to avoid such provocations.

HPG also reported other ambushes laid by Turkish soldiers in Xorekan village of Malazgirt district of Muş on 21 May and 22 May as well as the ones in the Tatan and Alangot villages of Varto for the last 4 days. HPG also stated that Sikorsky type helicopters of the Turkish military carried out flights over Martyr Hasan area of Erzurum between 16:00 - 18:00 on 21 May and between 09:00 – 10:00 on 22 May.

Operation in Dersim

HPG Press Office also reported about an extensive operation launched by Turkish military forces on Axveysi, Zantirek, Türktane and Çakmaklı villages of the Hozat district of Dersim on 21 May, saying that all the roads were blockaded by Turkish armored vehicles, while the operation was ended without obtaining any results in the evening hours.

HPG said the Turkish army carried out another operation in Kirê Spî area of Dersim with a force of 150 soldiers on 20 May. This operation was also ended without achieving any results at 16:00, added the HPG.

Aerial activity over guerrilla zones

HPG lastly reported that on 21 May an activity by Turkish drones took place over

-Zap region of Media Defense Zones between 06:00–10:00,

-Bagok area of Mardin between 21:30-23:30

-Zagros area between 20:00-21:00

-Martyr Mahir area of Tendürek district of Ağrı between 09:00 15:00.

HPG added that on 21 May Turkish warplanes also carried out flights over

-Gabar area of Şırnak between 20:00 – 21:00,

-Zap area between 16:00-17:00, and

-Çiyayê Reş area of Zap region between 00:00 – 01:00 on 22 May.