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Turkish soldier killed in clashes on Syrian border

Monday, 15 February 2016 10:29 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 15 February 2016 11:06 AM ]

Syrian residents look at the damage following reported militant shelling in Aleppo's government-controlled neighborhood of Suleimaniyeh, on February 14, 2016. (AFP photo)

A Turkish soldier has been killed during clashes between security forces and human smugglers trying to enter the country through the Syrian border.

The Turkish armed forces said in a statement on Monday that the soldier was killed in a knife attack after the security forces intercepted a group of human smugglers in the Yayladagi area of Hatay province at 7:15 pm (1715 GMT) on Sunday, according to Hurriyet Daily News.

Reports said the smugglers managed to flee the area after the intervention.

The security forces reportedly launched an operation to apprehend the attackers.

Turkey is the starting point of a flow of Syrian refugees moving through Greece to northern European countries. Europe is facing an unprecedented influx of refugees who are fleeing conflict-hit zones in North Africa and the Middle East, particularly Syria.

Many blame major European powers for the exodus, saying their policies have led to a surge in terrorism and wars, forcing people out of their homes.

According to figures released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than one million refugees reached Europe’s shores in 2015. More than 3,300 people either died or went missing in their hazardous journey to the continent.

It is widely believed that Turkey has been a chief supporter of the militant groups operating in Syria, with reports saying that Ankara actively trains and arms the Takfiri terrorists there and facilitates their safe passage into Syrian territory.

Meanwhile, Damascus said on Sunday that Turkish forces have infiltrated Syria’s war-torn north to help foreign-backed militants in their fight against the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

The foreign-sponsored conflict in Syria has claimed the lives of some 470,000 people and left 1.9 million injured, according to the Syrian Center for Policy Research.

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