Six Turkish soldiers were killed and 11 were injured when terrorists from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) attacked a gendarmerie post in the southeastern province of Siirt on Saturday, the Siirt Governor’s Office announced on Sunday.
A group of terrorists attacked the Belenoluk gendarmerie outpost in the Pervari district around 6 p.m. with automatic rifles and rocket launchers. The gendarmes responded to the attack and six soldiers were killed in the ensuing clash.
Three terrorists were also killed by soldiers. The eleven soldiers who were injured in the clash were taken to hospitals in the neighboring Sirnak and Van provinces.
Reports also said terrorists planted mines on the roads leading to the outpost to prevent any assistance reaching the soldiers who were attacked. A large-scale operation backed by helicopters has been launched in the area to capture the assailants.
In initial comments on the attack, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to step up operations against the PKK. “Unfortunately, the terrorist organization is going ahead with its violence. Of course, it is doing its job. We will also continue to do our job in response to that. We are focused on this issue. I have not been able to learn the details from my colleagues. We will take the necessary steps once I return to Turkey,” he told reporters.
Heatwave: Türkiye is roasting!
Local elections in Turkey: 61.4 million voters
Flixbus accident on A9: Five dead, many injured – hospitals alerted
Court temporarily stops Assange’s extradition