PKK attack kills Syrian refugee in southeast Turkey

By Selman Tur, Yasin Dikme, Yilmaz Kazandioglu

ANKARA (AA) - One Syrian refugee was killed and five others were injured after PKK terrorists fired mortar shells in southeastern Hakkari province bordering Iraq on Monday, a security official said.

The terrorists fired at least 32 mortar shells at Turkey’s Derecik frontier battalion in Semdinli district from Balkayalar area of Iraq, according to the official, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The mortar shells fell into the area where refugees live near the military post, killing one of them and injured five others.

Later, Turkish frontier forces conducted air-supported operation and cleared the area.

Also, Turkish forces took 4 PKK/PYD terrorists into custody Monday in southeastern Sanliurfa province, another security official told Anadolu agency.

Meanwhile, 1 PKK terrorist surrendered to Turkish forces in southeastern Batman province, Governor’s Office said.

The PKK terror group has waged a terror campaign against Turkey for more than 30 years that has led to the deaths of more than 40,000 people.

Regarded as a terrorist group by the U.S. and EU, it is also involved in illicit drug production and trafficking.

According to Turkey, the YPG and PYD are terrorist organizations, too, as they are affiliates of the PKK.

However, the U.S. considers YPG/PYD as a "reliable partner" on the ground in Syria and continues to support them in the field. The terrorist group operates currently in northern Syria and controls the majority of the area close to the Turkish border.