Soldier martyred in southern Turkey

By Ismihan Ozguven and Ahmet Ozel

HATAY, Turkey (AA) – A Turkish soldier was martyred during an anti-terror operation against the PKK in Turkey’s southern province of Hatay, local authorities said on Tuesday.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Hatay Governor Erdal Ata said a specialized sergeant was martyred in Hatay’s Dortyol district in the Amanos Mountains region while gendarmes were conducting an operation.

Ata said the gendarmes were conducting surveillance when the two sides met.

“At the moment the clashes are ongoing,” he added.

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.