Five killed in PKK attacks in Turkey’s southeast

PKK militants detonated a hand-made explosive placed inside a manhole cover during the passing of an armored police vehicle in the Silopi district of Şırnak.

Four civilians identified as İsa Torlak, Ekrem Birlik, Davut Yoksul and 4-year old Halime Birlik were killed in the attack while another 23 were wounded, including five police officers inside the car. Among the wounded, a 6-month-old baby was also reported to be in critical condition.

In addition, a number of cars and houses nearby the scene were also damaged as the explosion created a deep hole in the road.

A wide-scale operation has begun in the region to apprehend PKK militants responsible for the attack.

Meanwhile, one soldier who was wounded during clashes with PKK militants in the Şemdinli district of Hakkari succumbed to his injuries on early May 31, the Turkish General Staff has announced.

According to the statement issued on the General Staff’s website, two soldiers were wounded during security forces operation in Şemdinli, while one of them later succumbed to his injuries at 5:40 a.m.

Turkish warplanes also conducted an air operation targeting PKK positions in a rural area of Şemdinli on early May 31. 

Four positions belonging to the PKK were destroyed in the operation, according to military sources.

Turkish warplanes killed 14 PKK militants in northern Iraq’s Metina region between May 25 and 29, the Turkish army stated on May 31.

The Turkish General Staff said in a statement that 14 militants were killed and three shelters were destroyed.        
It also said security forces on May 31 discovered a house in Şırnak that was used by PKK militants to manufacture explosives. 

A total of 477 PKK militants have been killed in Şırnak since the beginning of security operations on March 14, as 1,436 handmade bombs were detonated, 223 barricades were removed and 39 ditches were filled, according to data from the state-run Anadolu Agency.