Alleged Kurdish rebels, members of PKK, killed eight soldiers in an ambush of a military convoy, in Hakkari province near Turkey’s border with Iraq on Wednesday, Turkey’s defense minister responded in vowing strong military retaliation.

Seven soldiers died and seven more soldiers were also injured in the most recent attack, when a roadside mine believed to have been planted by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) exploded as a military vehicle convoy passed by the mine in the southeastern province of Hakkari, the governor’s office informed.

The explosion reportedly took place on the 15th kilometer of the Hakkari-Çukurca Highway at 9 a.m. One soldier was announced to have died initially and the death toll was reported to have increased to eight after seven soldiers injured in the blast also died. However, an official statement from the Hakkari Governor’s Office informed seven soldiers were killed and eleven others were injured in the ambush.

Another vicious ambush attack by PKK terrorists in Turkey

One of the soldiers who died in the blast was a major, who was in command of the troops, reported some news agencies. The terrorists opened fire on the vehicle after exploding the remote-controlled land mine, which increased the death toll.

Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz vowed to retaliate in kind to the attack in his initial comments after the news of the ambush came. A large-scale operation was launched in the area to capture the attackers. State-run TRT television reported also that the military immediately launched an air force-backed ground offensive in Hakkari province, where the latest attack occurred.

Tougher military action and retaliation from Turkey against PKK

Dismayed that attacks are continuing during the holy month of Ramadan, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan this week also hinted at tougher military action against the PKK terrorist after the end of the month of piety for Muslims, expressing Turkey is out of patience.

More than 30 Turkish soldiers were killed by PKK terrorists in intensified PKK rebel attacks since July in its alleged campaign for autonomy in southeastern Turkey. The attacks came after the government revealed a plan in late July to deploy elite police forces in the fight against terrorism and slowly handed more power to police in domestic security matters, which could also undercut the traditional role of the turkish military. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has also recently announced that Turkey will adopt new measures in the fight against the PKK.

PKK Turkey : It started in 1984

Turkey has fought the PKK since 1984, when it took up arms against the state with the goal of establishing an autonomous Kurdish state in the eastern and southeastern parts of Turkey. More than 40,000 soldiers and civilians have been killed in clashes thus far. The PKK has been declared a terrorist organization by a large majority of the international community, including the US and the European Union.

Some news reports speculated that Turkey is considering renewed cross border operations into northern Iraq where the PKK maintains military bases. Turkey has frequently launched air strikes or sent soldiers across the border to fight the rebels.

The PKK, considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, is fighting for autonomy in southeast Turkey.

 

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