Turkish officials say Kurdish rebels have attacked a security complex in southeastern Turkey, triggering clashes that have left at least nine members of the Turkish security forces dead.
Vahdettin Ozkan, governor of southeastern Sirnak Province, said the rebels attacked the security complex at Beytussebap overnight on September 3.
Ozkan did not say how many rebels were killed in the ensuing fighting, but local reports said clashes left at least 20 rebels dead.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed since the rebel Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) began its armed struggle for autonomy in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast in 1984.
Turkish officials have linked a recent upsurge in rebel attacks to the conflict in Syria, saying the rebels are taking advantage of the chaos in the neighboring country to organize there.
Vahdettin Ozkan, governor of southeastern Sirnak Province, said the rebels attacked the security complex at Beytussebap overnight on September 3.
Ozkan did not say how many rebels were killed in the ensuing fighting, but local reports said clashes left at least 20 rebels dead.
Tens of thousands of people have been killed since the rebel Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) began its armed struggle for autonomy in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast in 1984.
Turkish officials have linked a recent upsurge in rebel attacks to the conflict in Syria, saying the rebels are taking advantage of the chaos in the neighboring country to organize there.
