Clashes kill six Turkish soldiers killed in Kurdistan Region, announces defense ministry
The soldiers were killed “in an attack” at the border area with the Kurdistan Region on Friday, the ministry said.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – At least six Turkish soldiers have been killed in the Kurdistan Region in a fight with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants in Duhok province, the country’s defense ministry announced.
The soldiers were killed “in an attack” at the border area with the Kurdistan Region on Friday, the ministry said, releasing the names and photos of the killed soldiers. Another member of the Turkish military was wounded as well.
“We wish Allah's mercy to our holy martyrs who lost their lives, condolences and forbearance to their grieving family, the Turkish Armed Forces, and our noble nation,” said the ministry, and it wished a quick healing to the personnel injured.
In addition to the air and ground operation in Duhok, Turkey regularly targets alleged PKK members inside the Kurdistan Region and disputed territories between Erbil and Baghdad, such as Makhmour, using its indigenously developed drones.
Turkish drone strikes in Sulaimani province on Wednesday killed two PKK members and wounded four others, the Kurdistan Region’s Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD) reported. The identity of the members has not been disclosed.
Over 40,000 people on both sides have been killed since the Turkish-PKK conflict began in 1984.
Kurdistan Region officials regularly call on Baghdad, officially in charge of border security affairs, to prevent the insurgents and foreign militaries from engaging in hostilities within its territory. Officials have voiced concerns about increased militia forces presence in the area.
Much of the conflict has been fought in the border areas of the Kurdistan Region, which has endangered the civilian population.