A Turkish soldier was killed in an accident in northern Iraq on Friday, according to the Turkish National Defense Ministry.

"In a continuing operation in northern Iraq, one of our soldiers was martyred by a gun accident," said a ministry statement.

"This unfortunate incident deeply saddened all of us. We offer our condolences to his family and to our nation."

The Turkish Armed Forces regularly conducts cross-border operations in northern Iraq, a region where PKK terrorists have hideouts and bases from which to carry out attacks in Turkey.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU, has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The terrorist organization isn't just active in Turkey but operates throughout the region, particularly in Syria and Iraq.