The Press Office of the People’s Defence Forces (HPG) reported that a total of four drones belonging to the Turkish state have been shot down in southern Kurdistan since the beginning of the week.
According to the statement, the drones were shot down over Girê FM, Girê Amêdîyê and Girê Cûdî Resistance Areas on 17-18-19 June.
In another action, guerrillas destroyed a surveillance camera system installed by the Turkish army in Girê Amediyê Resistance Area on 18 June.
On 19 June, the Turkish forces attempting to install a surveillance camera system in Girê Cûdî Resistance Area were shot by the guerrillas with heavy weapons and the occupiers’ mobility was stopped.
On the other hand, the guerrillas’ tunnels in Girê FM Resistance Area in Şehîd Delîl Western Zap region were bombed with banned explosives and drones loaded with explosives on 18 and 19 June.
According to the HPG, the Turkish Air Force carried out 16 attacks on guerrilla areas on 17, 18 19 June. The bombardments targeted areas in the regions of Qendîl, Xakurke, Gare, Metîna and Zap.
On 18 and 19 June, the Şêlazê Resistance Area in Metîna region was bombed by attack helicopters.
In a statement on 20 March, HPG Central Headquarters Command released a list of Turkish drones which were downed by guerrilla forces starting from 13 February last year.
The HPG said Kurdish people were able to acquire the missile system and provide it to the guerrillas “despite all the efforts of the enemy (Turkish state) to isolate our people in the international arena.”
The HPG’s statement followed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Executive Committee member Murat Karayilan’s interview on March 15, saying that they would announce “good news” on the eve of Newroz, Kurdish New Year.
According to the statement, the first downing of an armed drone was on February 13, 2023, over Garê in South Kurdistan.
Six of the 15 downed drones were TB2 BAYRAKTAR type drones. Five were ANKAs, two were AKINCIs and two were AKSUNGURs.