Explosion kills child in SE Turkey, PKK blamed

By Soner Kilinc, Simal Muldur

SIRNAK, Turkey

A child died and three others were injured Sunday when a buried improvised explosive detonated in the southeastern Turkish province of Sirnak.

Security sources speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions of talking to media said the incident happened in Silopi district, in a streambed between the Barbaros and Karsiyaka neighborhoods.

Sources said the PKK explosive detonated, injuring four children aged between 8 and 13 years old.

Nine-year-old Enes Erdem died in Silopi State Hospital while the situation of the remaining children – Kerem Kultur, Diyar Inan and Samet Erdem – remains critical.

Sirnak Governor’s office has yet to make a statement on the incident.

Improvised explosives are commonly used by the PKK terrorist organization in ambushes against Turkish security forces, but often claim civilian lives.

The PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU – resumed its 30-year armed campaign against the Turkish state in July 2015.

Since then, more than 440 members of the security forces, including troops, police officers and village guards, have been martyred, and over 4,500 PKK terrorists killed in operations across Turkey and northern Iraq.

*Anadolu Agency correspondent Fatjon Prroni contributed to this report from Ankara.