Turkish army confirms return of fire on oil smugglers in Hatay as commander visits zone

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Second Army Cmdr. Galip Mendi inspected the frontier at the Kıyıgözü village in the Altınözü district which borders on the İdlib province of Syria. AA photo

The Turkish Armed Forces has confirmed that its soldiers clashed with oil-smugglers yesterday night in the southern province of Hatay’s Altınözü district after coming under fire from Syrian territory at a border post. 
 
Five Turkish soldiers were slightly wounded, the statement said, adding that the border post near Kıyıgören village had returned the fire with infantry rifles and machine guns according to the rules of engagement. 
 
Second Army Cmdr. Galip Mendi inspected the zone on July 20 following the incident.
 
The alleged smugglers reportedly opened fire again as the injured were being transported to hospital, prompting the soldiers to respond with mortars, grenades and light weapons, the statement added.
 
The statement also said some of the attackers were killed and injured as a result of the fire. 
 
Mendi also visited four of the five injured soldiers who are continuing to receive treatment at Antakya State hospital. All four soldiers’ situation is not serious, according to the Armed Forces.