Two soldiers were killed Sunday in clashes that broke out during a security operation against PKK militants in Turkey’s eastern province of Erzurum.
According to Erzurum Governor’s Office, the soldiers were killed in the first instance of gunfire after gendarmerie squads started an operation against militants in Senkaya district. Clashes were ongoing and more gendarmerie squads were being sent to the area, the governor’s office added.
Later on Sunday, the Turkish General Staff issued a statement saying, "During the operation, our two heroes were critically wounded and were immediately airlifted to hospital by a helicopter."
The statement added that the two soldiers succumbed to their wounds "despite all medical interventions".
The General Staff offered condolences to the victims’ families and relatives, as well as members of the Turkish Armed Forces and Turkish people.
The PKK -- designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU -- renewed its armed campaign against the Turkish state in late July. Since then, more than 150 members of the security forces have been killed alongside dozens of civilians, according to the government.
By Sibel Uğurlu
This article has been modified from the source material.
