LBCI

Eight killed as Turkish military, Kurdish rebels clash

World News

22-07-2014 | 07:32

Share

Share

Eight killed as Turkish military, Kurdish rebels clash

2^min

At least eight people were killed in clashes between the Turkish military and Kurdish rebels on the country's Syrian border, the army said on Tuesday, apparently the most serious outbreak of violence since the militants declared a ceasefire last year.

A local official earlier pointed the finger at smugglers, after an armed group crossing the border from Syria into Turkey ignored calls to stop and opened fire on an army outpost.

Three border guards were wounded, two of whom later died, after they came under attack from around 15 people trying to cross into Turkey, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement.

Reinforcements were deployed and at least six "terrorists" from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) or its affiliate, the Syria-based Democratic Union Party (PYD), were believed to have died in the clash, the army said.

There was no immediate word from either the PKK or PYD.

The clash could be a blow to efforts led by Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan to bring an end to the PKK's insurgency, which has left more than 40,000 people dead over three decades.

Earlier this month Turkish deputies passed a bill giving legal recognition to negotiations for the first time, a move hailed as an important step on the path to peace.

Erdogan is hoping to become Turkey's first directly elected president in polls due on August 10, and may need to rely on votes from parts of the Kurdish community to help him win.

The ceasefire - negotiated with the PKK's imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan - has largely held since it came into force last March.

Tensions in south-eastern Turkey have risen in recent months however, after violent clashes between security forces and Kurds protesting against the building of military outposts in Kurdish areas.

REUTERS

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Trump says US objectives in Iran 'nearing completion'

Middle East News

2026-04-02

Trump says US objectives in Iran 'nearing completion'

Pope Leo 'deeply saddened' by Colombia earthquake: Vatican

2026-08-11

Pope Leo 'deeply saddened' by Colombia earthquake: Vatican

Trump calls Netanyahu after Israel-Iran clashes: White House

Middle East News

2026-06-08

Trump calls Netanyahu after Israel-Iran clashes: White House

Iran state TV says ceasefire to expire at midnight GMT

Middle East News

2026-04-21

Iran state TV says ceasefire to expire at midnight GMT

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

1

Lebanon has not agreed to shortlist of countries that could verify Hezbollah's disarmament: Reuters

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

2

Dispute between Lebanon’s prime minister and defense minister under discussion, sources say

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

3

Ali al-Taher hills: Between military confrontation and surrender scenario

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

4

Lebanon Cabinet approves fees on waste-generating products despite ministerial objections

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

5

Explosion rocks ammunition factory near Rome

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

6

Lebanon's defense minister apologizes to martyrs' families, vows to defend army's voice

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

7

Lebanon presidency denies media reports on Aoun-Trump meeting

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

8

A new force for Lebanon's south? The debate over who will monitor the next phase after UNIFIL

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More