As clashes in the Avashin, Zap and Metina regions of the Qandil Mountains, known as the Medya Defence Zones, continue between the Turkish Armed Forces and Kurdish fighters since 23rd of April, the position of the Kurdistan Democratic Party continues to be mired in controversy.
It has been observed during the early hours of the 5th of June, that KDP forces are transporting military shipments to the Medya Defense Zones
Eye witnesses state that there were armored vehicles, ambulances, diggers and rough terrain vehicles in the KDP convoy.
People’s Defense Forces (HPG) Press Centre made an urgent written statement regarding the shipment to guerrilla areas.
“A force is trying to enter the area where our forces are located in Metina. We are resisting the Turkish state’s invasion of Kurdistan. We call on these incoming forces not to stab our forces in the back. Brother blood should not be spilled. For this, we call on all forces and our people.” it stated.
However, shortly after the statement was published, forces acting on behalf of Iraq and the KDP attacked the guerrilla camps ANF reports.
HPG/YJA Star guerrillas fired warning shots for these forces to not advance further and tensions continue to rise in the region.
It has been later additionally reported by some media outlets that while an armored vehicles belonging to the KDP were passing, an explosion occurred and 5 peshmerga lost their lives with 2 peshmerga were injured.
The explosion was initially announced by many news sites broadcasting from Iraqi Kurdistan as an airstrike by Turkish warplanes. However, the KDP media, and KRG accounts changed reports about it later.
Regarding the explosion the HPG press office stated the following:
“Aiming to warn off KDP forces that entered our camp area in the Metina region, warning shots were fired into the air. However, we have not been able to determine how one of the armored vehicles of the KDP was hit. It could not be determined whether it was a pre-laid mine that had exploded or an airstrike.”
