Four Turkish soldiers killed on Iraqi border

ANKARA- Anadolu Agency

Four Turkish soldiers were killed on April 19 during operations against militants in the Turkey-Iraq border area.       

Six soldiers were also wounded during the operations, Turkey's Defense Ministry said in a statement early on April 20.         

The ministry had initially announced that two soldiers had been killed but later said that two other soldiers had succumbed to their injuries at a hospital.       

The statement said the militants came under heavy fire from Turkish air operations and fire support.       

It did not specify the name of the militant organization, but the Turkish military frequently conducts operations against the PKK in the area.       

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

Turkey's parliament speaker reiterated Ankara's relentless struggle against terrorism on Saturday.         

 “Turkey is determined to continue its fight against terrorists and their supporters by making no compromises on its attitude that embraces the whole of Turkish citizens,” said Mustafa Şentop on April 20 at a news conference ahead of his departure to Iraq.     

Şentop visited Iraq on April 20 to attend “the Baghdad summit of parliaments of neighboring countries”, along with a delegation to meet their counterparts from Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Jordan and Syria.         

He expressed his deep sorrow over the death of four Turkish soldiers.

On the Baghdad summit, Şentop said: “The developments in Iraq have direct effects not only on Iraq itself but also on the countries of the region.”         

“Turkey expects Iraq to regain its sovereignty and create a national consensus under the Iraqi identity as soon as possible,” the speaker said, adding Turkey will continue its support for Iraq's unity and territorial integrity.