2 killed, 10 injured in clashes between PKK, military in Turkey

At least two people were killed and 10 others injured on Friday in clashes between outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) members and the Turkish security forces in southeastern Sirnak province of Turkey, private Dogan News Agency reported.

The clashes erupted as the security forces came to Silopi town of Sirnak in order to close ditches that were dogged by the PKK sympathizers, said the report, adding that a group of PKK militants opened fire with rocket launchers and long barreled weapons to the police officers and one police officer was among the injured, the report said.

A youth organization called "YDG-H" linked to the PKK digs ditches in areas to prevent the entrance of the Turkish security forces in the region, according to the report.

The Turkish military reinforced the Silopi town of Sirnak with additional gendarmerie troops and the clashes still continue, said the report.

Tensions with PKK and Turkish troops and policemen have been mounting following a tumultuous week that began with an Islamic State (IS) suicide bomb which killed 32 and injured 104 activists in the town of Suruc in Sanliurfa province bordering neighboring Syria.

The People's Defense Forces (HPG), affiliated with the PKK, claimed responsibility for killing two police officers in retaliation to the Suruc bombing claiming that the policemen were linked to the IS.

Turkish security forces have detained over 1,300 individuals with suspected ties to IS, PKK, and leftist groups, according to a statement from the Turkish prime minister's office, as the military launched several airstrikes on PKK positions in northern Iraq.

Renewed conflict led to the suspension of the peace process between the Turkish state and the imprisoned PKK leader, launched in 2012.

Some 40,000 were killed since 1984, when the armed group launched its first attack.