seruriermarshal
05-10-2004, 04:36 AM
Two soldiers killed in mine explosion in southeast Turkey
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AFP) May 10, 2004
Two Turkish soldiers were killed when an army vehicle hit a mine believed to have been planted by Kurdish rebels in the country's mainly Kurdish southeast, local security sources said Monday.
The explosion, near the town of Lice in Diyarbakir province, occured on Sunday when the soldiers were on patrol duty, the sources added.
The mine was believed to have been planted by rebels from the Kurdistan People's Congress (KONGRA-GEL), an offshoot of the outlawed group formerly known as the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
The PKK led a 15-year armed campaign for Kurdish self-rule in southeastern Turkey which claimed more than 36,000 lives.
Its rebellion has been largely stalled since 1999, when PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan was captured and the group declared a ceasefire to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The PKK has since changed its name twice and announced in November 2003 that it was disbanding to set up a more democratic Kurdish organisation.
DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AFP) May 10, 2004
Two Turkish soldiers were killed when an army vehicle hit a mine believed to have been planted by Kurdish rebels in the country's mainly Kurdish southeast, local security sources said Monday.
The explosion, near the town of Lice in Diyarbakir province, occured on Sunday when the soldiers were on patrol duty, the sources added.
The mine was believed to have been planted by rebels from the Kurdistan People's Congress (KONGRA-GEL), an offshoot of the outlawed group formerly known as the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
The PKK led a 15-year armed campaign for Kurdish self-rule in southeastern Turkey which claimed more than 36,000 lives.
Its rebellion has been largely stalled since 1999, when PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan was captured and the group declared a ceasefire to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The PKK has since changed its name twice and announced in November 2003 that it was disbanding to set up a more democratic Kurdish organisation.