12 Turkish soldiers have been killed over 2 days in clashes with Kurdish militants, authorities say

Updated December 23, 2023

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) — Six Turkish soldiers were killed Saturday in clashes with Kurdish militants in northern Iraq, a day after another six were also killed.

The six soldiers slain on Saturday died in a firefight when militants attempted to infiltrate a Turkish base, according to a statement by the Turkish Defense Ministry. The statement said 13 militants had been “neutralized.”

In addition to the six Turkish soldiers killed on Friday, four militants were slain, authorities said.

Turkey conducts operations and airstrikes against targets in Syria and Iraq that it believes to be affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, a banned Kurdish separatist group that has waged an insurgency against Turkey since the 1980s.

Ankara maintains that PKK has sanctuaries in northern Iraq, where its leadership is also purportedly based. The PKK is considered a terror organization by the United States and the European Union. Tens of thousands of people have died since the start of the conflict in 1984.

Footage of guerrilla action in which three Turkish soldiers were killed

Images from guerrilla areas prove the serious losses suffered by Turkish forces in the guerrilla areas in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, which are denied or concealed by the Turkish state.

ANF
BEHDINAN
Thursday, 21 Dec 2023, 12:52

Gerîla TV published footage of an action carried out by guerrillas against Turkish troops in the region of Xakurkê in the guerrilla-held Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).

According to the Press Centre of the People’s Defense Forces (HPG), the action at 10:45 on 27 November was directed against the Turkish forces in the Girê Şehîd Heqî area of Xakurkê. Strikes by heavy weapons left a position of the Turkish troops destroyed and three soldiers in it dead

Political prisoners in Buca jail call on people outside to increase actions for Öcalan

Political prisoners in Buca Kırıklar Prison said: "We see all kinds of actions and activities as legitimate until Abdullah Öcalan is liberated."

ANF
NEWS DESK
Friday, 22 Dec 2023, 12:01

The alternating hunger strike action started by political prisoners on 27 November to demand the physical freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan continues. Political prisoners in Buca Kırıklar Closed Prison No. 2 sent a message through their lawyers.

Call to enlarge actions

The prisoners' message is as follows: "First of all, we, the free prisoners, salute all patriots, peace seekers, democrats and human rights defenders with our free hearts. As 32 political prisoners in Buca Kırıklar Prison No. 2, we join the 'Freedom for Mr. Öcalan, solution to the Kurdish question' campaign with great enthusiasm and morale. We continue our hunger strike with great determination. Friends and enemies know that Mr. Öcalan is above everything for us. The guarantee of peace, freedom and democracy in Turkey and the Middle East is Mr. Öcalan. Everyone knows very well that Mr. Öcalan is the interlocutor in the solution of the Kurdish question.

We are ready to take any action for Mr. Öcalan's freedom. As of now, two of our friends are continuing their hunger strike actions alternately a week. We say to the state authorities and our partners around the world that we see all kinds of actions and activities as legitimate until Mr. Öcalan is liberated. And we are ready to make any sacrifice. We know that the hearts of our families and people are with us and they wholeheartedly support our action. Still, we call out to our people once again: increase your support for us and bring Mr. Öcalan and the freedom of Kurdistan closer with actions and events."