24 Apr 2001
Ozgar Politika
(Ozgur Politica is a pro PKK punblication)

It has been learned that Turkey, which began withdrawing the troops it had been keeping in
the Soran region of South Kurdistan last month, has once again been sending military troops
and vehicles to the region in recent days.

According to information received from local sources, about 300 soldiers and technical
personnel and 40 mortar weapons belonging to the Turkish army had arrived in Chwarkurna,
which is in territory belonging to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Six of the heavy
weapons have been positioned at various points in Chwarkurna, while the others are being kept
in reserve. Among information received is that a great number of the some 300 soldiers that
arrived are staying in city center in Suleymaniya.

It has also been learned that in addition to these, about 200 personnel from the National
Intelligence Agency (MIT) of Turkey have been settled in the Soran region in the scope of
gathering intelligence against the PKK. At the same time, various other forces have
intensified their intelligence, surveillance, and similar activities in South Kurdistan in order
to secure control over the region and implement their own policies.

They withdrew, but...

A great number of clashes occurred in various locations after the PUK peshmergas began
assaults against the PKK guerrillas on September 15, 2000, and Turkish military forces
arrived in the region on December 17 after a call from the PUK forces. The PKK had made
calls for peace and dialogue to the forces in the region, particularly the Kurdish
organizations, in the framework of its change in strategy calling for the silencing of weapons
and seeking of a solution. When the PUK did not end its assaults, a great force from the
Turkish military including thousands of soldiers and technical personnel and a great number
cannons, missiles and other heavy weapons entered the Soran region and were positioned on
the Chwarkurna field near Ranya. These military forces began to withdraw on March 26.
Despite this, it was discovered that during the withdrawal, the military left a great number of
the heavy weapons it had brought and ammunition with the PUK peshmergas, and
afterwards, they had begun secretly sending more weapons to the region.

'News of clashes is not correct'

It has been learned that the news appearing in the Turkish press to the effect that clashes in
the Genc district of Bingol resulted in the deaths of 9 guerrillas and 5 soldiers is not correct.
Local sources confirm that a clash occurred, but say that the news that 9 guerrillas lost their
lives is not correct. Although the exact number is not clear, it is believed that 2 lost their
lives and that one guerrilla fell captive to the soldiers. It was reported that 7 soldiers lost
their lives. Additionally, F-16 war plans and Cobra attack helicopters departing from
Malatya bombed the rural area of Genc where the clash occurred. It has also been reported
that the Turkish military began a new operation as of Friday morning.
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The Kurdistan Observer
www.kurdistanobserver.com