Soldier martyred, 1 injured in SE Turkey PKK attack

ANKARA (AA) – A Turkish soldier was martyred after sustaining injuries in a clash with the PKK terrorists in southeastern Turkey Tuesday, according to the military.

In a statement released on its official website, Turkish General Staff said two soldiers were wounded in a clash with PKK terrorists during an operation in Hakkari province’s Semdinli district.

"The injured were immediately taken to hospital, but our fellow who was critically wounded fell martyr at 5.40 a.m. [0240GMT] despite all efforts to save his life," the statement said.

The PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU – resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.

Since then, more than 500 security personnel, including troops, police officers, and village guards, have been martyred and over 4,900 PKK terrorists killed in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq.