22 Turkish soldiers killed in HPG's actions saluting 15 August

ANF Agency stated that : According to HPG's Media Centre 22 members of the Turkish occupation forces were killed in guerrilla actions in northern and southern Kurdistan, including three non-commissioned officers. Two Kirpi and Reo vehicles, four surveillance cameras and two positions were destroyed, another position and an attack helicopter were damaged. The helicopter is believed to have crashed, but there are no eyewitness reports on this. In addition, the guerrillas confiscated two shields, a pistol and a camera, as well as the helmet of a killed soldier named Haydar Çelik to prove his identity. According to the HPG, the guerrilla actions took place to welcome the anniversary of the beginning of the armed struggle on 15 August 1984.

The HPG gave the following information on the individual guerrilla actions and the attacks by the Turkish army:

On 1 August, mobile fighters of the YJA Star (Free Women’s Troops) observed a military convoy driving from Şemdinli towards Rubarok in the northern Kurdish province of Hakkari. At 12.30 p.m., the convoy was hit near the village of Lavreza using sabotage tactics. An armored vehicle was completely destroyed, three non-commissioned officers and four counter-guerrillas were killed. The Turkish army then launched an operation in the area, which was unsuccessfully stopped.

On 3 August, various guerrilla actions took place in the Girê Cûdî, Girê Amêdî and Girê FM areas. At 5.35 a.m., mobile guerrilla units struck a Turkish unit at Girê Cûdî from two flanks with light and heavy weapons. Four soldiers were killed in the action, two positions were destroyed, and one position was damaged.

At 8 a.m., a Turkish squad advancing towards a guerrilla tunnel at Girê Amêdî, was ambushed and struck by guerrillas with hand grenades and firearms. While one soldier was killed and the others retreated, the guerrillas recovered a shield and a camera. At 12.40 pm, another advance was made towards the tunnel, whereupon the guerrillas called on the soldiers to surrender. As the call was not heeded, guerrillas carried out a sabotage action, which was followed by a skirmish in which two soldiers were killed and another injured. The guerrillas confiscated a shield, a pistol, a camera and the helmet of the killed soldier, Haydar Çelik, to prove his identity. The surviving soldiers retreated and were only able to recover the dead at night.

Also, at Girê Amêdî, two soldiers were shot by YJA Star snipers at 12.30 and 8 pm.

At 4.45 pm, YJA Star fighters shot at two helicopters that were on an attack flight towards Girê FM. One of the helicopters was hit and caught fire. After the helicopter left the area towards the Turkish border, an explosion was heard. The suspected crash site was heavily bombed by fighter jets.

At 11.30 p.m., the guerrillas prevented an airdropping operation by the Turkish army at Girê Amêdî with heavy weapons.

A.K

ANHA