On 13 May 2020, the Turkish Air Force attacked the Besta region in the southern part of Botan. In the two-day operation, the Turkish army was able to locate the position of a guerrilla unit and attacked it with combat helicopters. According to state information, seven guerrillas are said to have lost their life. Most of the unit survived the attack. In this unit were the fighters Adil, Zagros and Êrîş - the three survived the air strike without any physical injury and told ANF about what happened.

Spy among the nomadic shepherds

Êrîş Cûdî said: “That night we formed mangas (reference groups) of five people. There were nomadic shepherds in the area. Reconnaissance planes had flown around all day. But they were not able to determine our positions because we did not leave our mangas. However, we did not know that there were informers among the nomadic shepherds who would know our whereabouts and pass it on."

The mangas were bombed

Zagros Cûdî said: “The planes came around 8.15 pm and bombed our mangas. After the bombs there was a bit of a mess, but within seconds we gathered together again. We spoke to each other and tried to find out who was still alive. When I called Dijwar and Adil, I saw Êriş trying to save Harûn trapped at the entrance. I called for the two friends without a pause. We later learned that the two friends had left the manga before us. The three of us left the place, worried that there might have been dead people. At a certain point, Harûn also moved away from the three of us."

All survived

Fighter Adil talked about his rescue: “Dijwar took me out from under the rubble. He was very calm. He made sure I got out. I heard the voices of the friends Êriş, Harûn and Zagros. I called them a couple of times. When I realized they hadn't heard me, I immediately walked away in the dark. I now knew that all friends were alive, including Dijwar. After we left the manga, we broke up."

Guerrilla Êrîş continued: “Heval Harûn was tall. He was experienced in everything. After we got him out, we walked away from the manga within seconds. Harûn also left us at a certain point. I had called after him not to go there, but he went. I saw that he was walking towards Besta Hincê. After a while the helicopters and planes attacked the place where he was."

Guerrilas Sabir Sîpan and Egîd Rojhilat tried to get to the site of the bombing in order to rescue injured guerrillas. Adil said: “What keeps the guerrillas on their feet and strengthens them are the connections of the cooperative. Egîd and Sabir, for example, became so generous in the PKK by trying to save us and thereby giving their lives. They were stationed at a different point themselves. When they saw our position being attacked from the air, they immediately started moving. We promise our courageous fallen comrades Sabir and Egîd that we will expel the enemy out of our country."