Regarding the military deployment of Kurdistan Democratic Party ( KDP) forces in the Metina region and the massive explosion that struck a military vehicle while the KDP military convoy was ascending the mountain road, Haki Armanc, one of the HPG Central Headquarters commanders said that the allegations spread in the KDP media are most definately not true.
Reportedly 5 peshmerga fighters lost their lives with 2 peshmerga injured in a massive explosion that suddenly hit the military vehicle yesterday (5th of June) while the KDP forces were travelling in convoy up a mountain road.
The first response of some local KDP media was to report that an airstrike had occured against the KDP military convoy.
However, after a short period of time this news was changed to blame the PKK.
Haki Armanc a high rank commander of the People’s Defense Units(HPG) evaluated the tension in Metina on 5 June to Firat News Agency.
“What happened yesterday is very sad. We offer our condolences to the families of the peshmerga who lost their lives and wish the injured a speedy recovery.” said the HPG Commander in the beginning of his statement. He then focused firmly on the issue that should be questioned as the real cause for this serious incident. “Why did this event happen, who is responsible? This should be well known by everyone.”
Armanc underlined that the region where the explosion took place has been under the control of PKK forces for the last 25 years and the KDP has not attempted to pass into this region before.
“A convoy of 50 vehicles reached the areas under the control of the guerrilla for 25 years, early in the morning, before dawn. Who planned this transition, who instructed it? These are the main questions that are responsible to ask.”
The HPG Commander continued, “The forces that came there did not come with a basic purpose of cleaning up just one place as it is claimed. They were a great force, they had heavy weapons, armored vehicles, ambulances, diggers, and rough terrain vehicles that were brought.”
“It seems that in some places road construction is also planned and it is intended to take control of the places that are under the control of the PKK.”
Haki Armanc underlined that if they were informed about this before, this result could perhaps have been prevented.
“Turkey is aiming to advance into those places so the PKK guerillas are always alert against any possible threats. This is a very big mistake to send a convoy like that under these circumstances” he underlined.
‘We have never aimed to attack the peshmerga’
“Kurdish people should know that those who sent this convoy are the real ones who are responsible for this incident” Armanc said.
“We do not know how the peshmerga died. Several statements indicate that they were bombed by the Turkish state. Looking at the targeted vehicle, there was either an explosion inside or it was hit by a Turkish drone strike. Several drones were flying over the area at the time of the incident.”
The HPG Commander noted that they are also investigating the cause of the explosion.
However, what is most important aspect of this is why did it happen and that such a situation must never be repeated. What we know so far is that the Turkish state was very pleased.”
“We would never even think about it. On the contrary, all our commanders have called on the peshmerga to stand with the guerrilla and stand against the invasion of the Turkish state as our brothers.”
Guerrilla commander Haki Armanc stressed that the HPG wanted to avoid an armed confrontation with the Peshmerga at all costs.
“The allegations that the guerrillas attacked or ambushed the peshmerga are baseless. They are lies.” For the moment, he said, the situation is calm, but the situation is extremely tense.
HPG’s commander Armanc said that Turkey is aiming to start a war between Kurdish forces.
“Our people and the public should know that this will be a very big mistake and we want this mistake to be reversed.”
Haki Armanc said that the right thing to do is for the KDP to withdraw the forces deployed to the region. He also stated that the current situation is calm compared to yesterday but still sensitive at the moment.
