13 Turkish soldiers killed in clash with Kurdish militants in southeast Turkey

[News_Editor]

13 Turkish soldiers killed in clash with Kurdish militants in southeast Turkey

2011-07-15 01:32:01 GMT+7 (ICT)

ANKARA (BNO NEWS) -- Thirteen Turkish soldiers were killed on Thursday in clashes between security forces and members of the outlawed Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) in the southern province of Diyarbakır in Turkey, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.

The clash occurred in a remote area in Silvan town of Diyarbakir province, leaving 13 soldiers dead and seven others wounded. In addition to the soldiers, five PKK militants were also killed.

Following the attack, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a security meeting in Ankara with Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay, Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin, Chief of General Staff Gen. Isik Kosaner, Gendarmery Commander Necdet Ozel and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Undersecretary Hakan Fidan.

"The goal of these attacks and powers behind them are quite obvious. The Republic of Turkey has the power and determination to overcome terrorism just like other problems," Erdogan said in his message of condolences to Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Isik Kosaner.

Meanwhile, Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek said Turkey would continue its fight against terrorism which Cicek said aims at unity of the country and peace in Turkey.

The Kurdish militant organization took up arms in 1984 to fight for an independent homeland in southern Turkey. It is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, Turkey, the European Union and the United Nations.

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