Defiant Resistance: How Kurdish Freedom Fighters Humiliated the Turkish Army
This article explores the ongoing conflict between Turkish forces and Kurdish fighters from the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) and YPG (People's Protection Units). It provides a detailed account of the Turkish aircraft and drones that have been shot down by these Kurdish freedom fighters. Through firsthand reports, the article sheds light on the technological and tactical dimensions of these engagements, highlighting the resilience and capabilities of the PKK and YPG in their struggle for autonomy and self-determination
# 23 February 2008 - AH-1 Cobra shot down in Chamsku region of Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
PKK said that it shot down a Helicopter belonging to Turkish army at 6pm, Ahmed Danees, head of foreign relations for the PKK said. Turkish army claimed that it "crashed" "due to an "unknown" reason. At least 8 soldiers were eliminated
# 13 May 2016 - AH-1W SuperCobra shot down in Çelê district of Colemêrg, Bakurê Kurdistan (Turkey)
Turkish army first claimed it was "crashed" due to technical issue, however following PKK published the footage, confirming it was shot down. 8 occupation soldiers were eliminated
# 10 February 2018 - T129 ATAK helicopter shot down in Rajo area, Afrin region, Rojava (Syria)
A Turkish Army T129 ATAK helicopter was shot down by YPG near Qaddah village in Rajo area, Afrin region. 2 occupation soldiers were eliminated# 12 February 2018 - BAYRAKAR TB2 shot down in Rajo district of Afrin, Rojava (Syria)
YPG Press: "On February 12, 2018, the air defense of our forces managed to shoot down an unmanned Biraqdar reconnaissance aircraft in Qodeh village of Afrin"# 18 October 2019 - Sikorsky UH-60 shot down near Tel-Tamr, Rojava (Syria)
Turkish Defense Ministry claimed a Turkish helicopter crashed down near Tel-Tamr due to "technical reasons". YPG later confirmed that it was shot down# May 21 2022 - BAYRAKAR TB2 shot down in Zêbarî, between Zap and Gare, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
PKK have released footage of the drone taken down from the sky on May 21. The debris fell in Zêbarî in the border area between the regions of Zap and Gare. For security reasons, the guerrillas do not provide details on the method of the downing# 12 May 2022 - Sikorsky helicopter shot down and crashed in the area of Kûnîşka, Zap region, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
PKK Statement: one of the attack helicopters was struck by guerrillas at 23:00 and and caught fire while trying to retreat after the strike. The helicopter was hit by guerrillas once again while it unsuccesfully tried to move on and head towards the Xeregol area. The helicopter eventually crashed in the area between Şikefta Birîndara and Xeregol regions# 19 August 2022 - Sikorsky helicopter shot down over Girê Amediyê Resistance in Zap region, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
PKK Statement: At 21:35, a Sikorsky helicopter set to land Turkish troops in the Girê Amediyê Resistance Area was shot at close range by mobile guerrilla teams. Video footage showing the moments the helicopter was heavily hit from two different directions was released by Gerîla TV on August 22 and 23. The helicopter reportedly failed to land troops and crashed near the Girê outpost# 4 September 2022 - Sikorsky helicopter shot down in the Girê Amediyê Resistance Area of Metîna region, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
PKK Statement: On September 4, at 23:50, there was helicopter activity in the Girê Amediyê Resistance Area in Metîna. The Sikorsky type helicopter, which wanted to land in the Resistance Area, was targeted and shot by our mobile teams. This helicopter, which was heavily hit by the effective strikes of our forces, could not take off because it caught fire. and was destroyed# 01-12 / 2022 - At least 8 other helicopters were shot down, including 2 assault helicopters
A total of 11 helicopters were shot down in 2022, and that include: 2 helicopters were shot down in Şikefta Birîndara, 2 helicopters in Şehîd Fedekar, 3 helicopters in Girê Amediyê, 1 helicopter in Şehîd Şahin, 1 helicopter in Girê Hakkarî, 1 helicopter in Girê FM and helicopter in Girê Cûdî. Only 3 footages were published# February 13 2023 - BAYRAKTAR TB2 over Garê, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# February 18 2023 - BAYRAKTAR TB2 over Garê, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# June 8 2023 - ANKA over Qandil, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# June 14 2023 - BAYRAKTAR TB2 over Qendil, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# June 21 2023 - ANKA over Garê, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# June 22 2023 - AKSUNGUR over Qendil, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# July 5 2023 - AKINCI over Garê, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# July 8 2023 -BAYRAKTAR TB2 over Garê, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# July 17 2023 - ANKA over Qendil, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# July 30 2023 - AKINCI over Qendil, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# August 15, 2023 - ANKA over Western Zap, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# November 5 2023 - BAYRAKTAR TB2 over Zap / Shikefta Birîndara, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# November 6 2023 - AKSUNGUR over Western Zap, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# December 28 2023 - BAYRAKTAR TB2 over Western Zap, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# March 1 2024 - ANKA over Zap / Chiyaresh, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# 27 May 2024 - AKSUNGUR over Qendil, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)
# 6 June 2024 - ANKA over Asos, Başûre Kurdistan (Iraq)