Two Turkish soldiers were killed Wednesday following the detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED) on the highway linking eastern Diyarbakır and Mardin provinces.

The terrorist attack occurred near the Mazıdağ junction of the highway at 8:40 a.m. local time, when an IED was detonated through remote control at the moment mine sweeping military units were patrolling the area.

Rescue teams, including ambulances, were dispatched at the attack site. The military also sent reinforcements to the area and a new counter-terror operation has been launched.

The PKK is officially listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

Founded in 1978, the PKK has waged a decadeslong bloody campaign against the Turkish state.

A brief cease-fire agreement, brokered with the Turkish government for a reconciliation process, collapsed in July 2015, and the PKK has since resumed its terrorist attacks, through which more than 1,200 people, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives.

More than 4,000 security personnel and over 2,000 civilians have also been injured.