Turkish soldier martyred in PKK terror attack

By Yilmaz Kazandioglu and Muhammed Samil Aliagaoglu

HAKKARI / SIRNAK, Turkey (AA) - A Turkish soldier was martyred on Tuesday during a clash with members of the PKK terrorist organization in southeast Turkey.

The clash erupted when PKK terrorists trying to infiltrate a military base in Turkey's southeastern Hakkari province, a statement said from the provincial governor's office.

Bordering Iran and Iraq, Hakkari has been one of Turkey's hardest hit provinces by terrorism since the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU -- resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children.

Meanwhile, two alleged far-left terrorists surrendered to Turkish security forces in the southeastern Sirnak province.

Fleeing the Revolutionary Communard Party/United Freedom Forces, they were remanded in custody by security at the Habur border gate between Turkey and Iraq, said a security source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar and Jeyhun Aliyev