HATAY, Turkey
A Turkish soldier was martyred in southern Hatay province along Turkey’s border with Syria in a suspected gun attack from the Syrian side early Thursday, the regional governor’s office said.
According to a statement from Hatay Governor's Office, the Cilvegozu Infantry Border Post, under the 2nd Infantry Border Regimental Command, in Hatay was informed at around 2 a.m., local time (2300GMT) that soldiers on border patrol had noticed movement on the Syrian side of the border.
"The patrol commander and security personnel took up position. While the commander was patrolling together with a private to scan the area, a gunshot was heard that left infantry personnel Gokhan Cakir wounded," the statement said.
Turkish soldiers responded to the fire within rules of engagement.
Cakir was rushed to Antakya State Hospital in an ambulance but he succumbed to his wounds.
On Sept 1., a Turkish soldier was martyred while another went missing in a clash with a group of suspected smugglers trying to cross from Syria into Turkey in south-central province of Kilis.
