Soldier martyred by PKK/PYD sniper in southern Turkey

By Baris Gundogan

ANKARA (AA) - A Turkish soldier was martyred by a PKK/PYD sniper when he was on duty at his border post in southern Turkey’s Hatay province Wednesday, according to the military.

Reyhanli Bukulmez was shot dead at 8.45 a.m. (0545 GMT), Turkish General Staff said in a statement.

Turkish army also retaliated in self-defense under international law, the statement added.

The military also offered its condolences to the martyred soldier’s family, relatives, members of the Turkish Armed Forces and the Turkish nation.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU.

More than 1,200 victims, including security personnel and civilians, have lost their lives in PKK attacks since the terror group resumed its decades-long campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.

More than 4,000 security personnel and over 2,000 civilians also have been injured.