Five soldiers killed in PKK terrorist attacks in eastern Turkey


A total of five soldiers have been killed and several other wounded in terrorist attacks in Turkey's eastern Kars, Bitlis and southeastern Şırnak provinces.

One of the attacks occurred after the PKK placed an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Uludere district of Şırnak province nearby the village of Andaç, which was detonated when security forces scanning the area were passing by.

According to information obtained from security sources, two Turkish soldiers died and two more heavily wounded soldiers were transferred to the Şırnak State Hospital by helicopter.

A similar terror attack was carried out in Kağızman district of eastern Kars province, which also took place during field scans that soldiers were conducting in the area. A trap that had been set in a patch in the Çemçe-Madur region caused the death of two soldiers and wounded one other. Ambulances and additional security forces were dispatched to the region to track down the terrorists.

Another soldier was killed, and two others were injured during field scan activities near Sehi forest in eastern Bitlis province. The wounded soldiers were immediately dispatched to the Tatvan State Hospital for medical treatment.

Anti-terror operations in these regions continue, while the operation in Şırnak also is receiving air-based support.

Meanwhile, a total of 14 PKK terrorists have been killed in ongoing operations in Turkey's southeastern Hakkari and Şırnak province, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) said in a statement Tuesday.

Founded in 1978, the PKK has waged a decades long bloody campaign against Turkey.

The PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, resumed its armed campaign in July 2015 after a brief reconciliation period.

Since then, the terrorist group has been responsible for the deaths of some 1,200 security personnel and civilians, including women and children, while more than 4,000 security personnel and over 2,000 civilians have been injured.