One Turkish soldier seriously injured at Syria border

ISTANBUL

AA photo

One Turkish soldier was seriously injured in incidents at the border with Syria today, after 150 smugglers attempted to enter Turkey without checks, Anatolia news agency cited the Turkish General Staff as saying.

Soldiers intervened in the group after it attempted to enter the country illegally. A fire broke out during the intervention, and one Turkish soldier was seriously wounded in the fire.

He is currently in a life-threatening condition, said the Turkish General Staff in a statement today.
 
The General Staff also said around 1,000 people, including Syrian refugees and smugglers, were seen at around 4 a.m. today near the Oğulpınar border post, located in the southeastern province of Hatay’s Reyhanlı district.

Turkish soldiers fired into the air to warn the group, which responded by throwing stones. 

Later on, another 150 smugglers attempted to cross the border again. Turkish soldiers intervened using a tactical wheeled armored vehicle and an armored personnel carrier.
 
“After the intervention, the group escaped into Syria while also burning the diesel fuel cans behind them. One of our personnel was exposed to fire, and got third degree burns on his hand, face and legs. He is currently in a life-threatening condition,” said the General Staff in its statement.