As Turkey launched a new military operation in Iraqi Kurdistan on Sunday evening, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) reportedly sent troops to towns near Shiladze where heavy clashes have been taking place between Turkish troops and fighters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), to provide support against the invading Turkish troops, according to local sources.
People’s Defence Forces (HPG), the armed wing of the PKK, also released a report on Monday with information on the first 15 hours of Turkey’s new invasion attempt, dubbed ‘Operation Claw – Lock’.
According to HPG’s report, Turkey’s attacks began around 7 PM local time on Sunday with Turkish helicopters dispatching troops to areas in Werxelê in the Avasin region, while conducting airstrikes by attack helicopters. Turkish helicopters reportedly later came back to evacuate casualties.
On 2:45 AM on Monday, areas in Werxelê were hit in air strikes, and Turkish troops made several attempts to move forward at 3:10 AM.
As of 9:40 AM clashes were continuing between HPG units and Turkish troops attempting to take control of a hill, the report said.
In the Zap region, several areas were bombarded in air strikes and by artillery fire between 14-17 April.
On the 17th, a comprehensive attack was launched by Turkish forces in the entire Zap region with the support of attack helicopters and drones, as troops were dispatched in helicopters for deployment.
