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1st LD: 3 soldiers killed, 6 wounded in clashes with PKK militants in SE Turkey

Xinhua, August 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

Three Turkish security forces soldiers were killed and six others wounded in clashes with the militants of the banned Kurdish Workers' party (PKK) in Hakkari province in southeastern Turkey on Friday, the state-run Anatolia news agency reported.

The clashes erupted when a group of PKK rebels opened fire on the Turkish troops who were on duty in Daglica region, 45 km from Yuksekova town of Hakkari province, leaving the three soldiers dead and six others wounded, according to the report.

The wounded were taken to hospital for treatment by helicopter, said the report, adding that the Turkish security forces had launched a large-scale military operation against the PKK militants in the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Tuesday vowed to continue military operations against the PKK until the disarmament of the group.

"We will persevere in our struggle until they lay down and bury their arms, and until the last terrorist leaves the country," said Erdogan at the farewell ceremony of the Chief of General Staff Necdet Ozel in Ankara.

Tensions between the PKK and Turkish security forces are increasing following a tumultuous week which began with an Islamic State (IS) suicide bombing July 20, killing 32 individuals and injuring 104 activists in the town of Suruc in the Sanliurfa province bordering Syria.

The People's Defense Forces, affiliated with the PKK, claimed responsibility for the death of the two police officers as retaliation to the Suruc bombing, insinuating that the officers were linked to IS.

According to a statement by the Turkish prime minister's office, Turkish security forces have detained over 1,300 individuals with suspected ties to IS, PKK and leftist groups, whilst the military unleashed several rounds of air strikes on PKK posts in northern Iraq. Enditem