Turkish troops killed in PKK clashes
- 12 years ago
Smoke hangs over the countryside in southeastern Turkey.
Here, at least 18 people were killed on Tuesday in fighting between Turkish soldiers and Kurdish militants.
According to security sources, eight Turkish soldiers were killed and 16 others were wounded in simultaneous attacks on three military outposts.
In subsequent clashes, sources said Turkish troops killed 10 militants loyal to the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK.
The fighters began the attacks with rocket launchers and rifles at about 5 a.m. local time.
They were believed to have crossed the border from northern Iraq.
The PKK, designated a 'terrorist' group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, launched its separatist insurgency in 1984.
More than 40,000 people have been killed in conflicts since then.
Travis Brecher, Reuters
Here, at least 18 people were killed on Tuesday in fighting between Turkish soldiers and Kurdish militants.
According to security sources, eight Turkish soldiers were killed and 16 others were wounded in simultaneous attacks on three military outposts.
In subsequent clashes, sources said Turkish troops killed 10 militants loyal to the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK.
The fighters began the attacks with rocket launchers and rifles at about 5 a.m. local time.
They were believed to have crossed the border from northern Iraq.
The PKK, designated a 'terrorist' group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, launched its separatist insurgency in 1984.
More than 40,000 people have been killed in conflicts since then.
Travis Brecher, Reuters