A group of People’s Defense Forces (HPG) fighters have been missing in the Khalifan (Xelîfan) region of Iraqi Kurdistan since 26 July.
HPG officials had previously released a press statement asking about the fate of the guerillas, ANF reported.
In the statement, the HPG said, “According to the information we have received from locals; Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) forces surrounded the HPG group and attacked them, and some of our friends were killed”. The HPG added that the group was just passing from the region.
“We are deeply concerned about the fate of these friends. There is no explanation for surrounding and attacking a group that is just passing through in this way. This is unacceptable. It is an attitude that serves the enemies of the people of Kurdistan.”
The HPG Press Center released this statement on 29 July. However, so far no response has been received from the KDP officials.
Today, 31 July, the HPG has once more called on the KDP asking about the fate of the missing guerillas.
“We announced to our people and to the public that we had lost contact with a group of friends around Bêxme village in the Khalifan district of Southern Kurdistan and that we were waiting for an explanation from the KDP about it.”
In the latest statement the HPG gave detailed information about the missing guerillas and announced that the group that they had lost contact with was led by Serwer Serhat, who serves at Xakurkê State Command. Guerillas Dijwar Berxwedan and Wargeş Çavreş were with Serwer Serhat, the HPG said.
“Serwer Serhat is a very experienced commander. He was on his way to a new assignment as state commander, but was attacked on the way, we want to know what happened to them.” asked the HPG.
“We have not yet received any information from the KDP about the fate of these friends. We feel the need to share with the public once again that we expect clarification from the KDP on this issue.”