ANKARA

A Turkish soldier fell martyr due to injuries sustained in clashes with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) two weeks ago.

Gendarmerie Lance Corporal Mustafa Ozata was hurt on August 14 in Turkey’s southeastern province of Hakkari.

Confirmation of Ozata’s falling martyr was carried in a statement issued by the Turkish General Staff on Friday.

The statement read: “We wish God’s mercy on our martyred soldier and we wish patience and offer our condolences to his precious family, members of the Turkish Armed Forces and noble Turkish nation.”

Turkey’s Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar also said: “On behalf of myself and the Turkish Armed Forces, I wish God’s mercy on our heroic comrade-in-arms and offer my condolences and wish patience for his mourning family and relatives.”

On August 14, PKK militants opened fire on security forces patrolling in the Daglica region of Hakkari. Four soldiers were martyred and six were injured in the clashes.

Operations against the PKK – listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the EU and U.S. – came after it renewed attacks on Turkish security forces following the July 20 Suruc bombing.