Reports from Turkey say Kurdish rebels attacked Turkish military units in southeastern Turkey on June 19, sparking clashes in which 18 rebels and eight Turkish soldiers died.
Authorities said 16 Turkish soldiers were wounded in the fighting, which occurred in the southeastern Hakkari Province, near Turkey’s border with Iraq and Iran.
Rebels of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) have been fighting for nearly 30 years for more autonomy for Kurds in southeastern Turkey.
Some 45,000 people – Turkish and Kurdish civilians and fighters – have been killed since the group began fighting in 1984.
Authorities said 16 Turkish soldiers were wounded in the fighting, which occurred in the southeastern Hakkari Province, near Turkey’s border with Iraq and Iran.
Rebels of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) have been fighting for nearly 30 years for more autonomy for Kurds in southeastern Turkey.
Some 45,000 people – Turkish and Kurdish civilians and fighters – have been killed since the group began fighting in 1984.