Iraqi Kurdistan: Turkish soldier reportedly shot by his own troops while trying to surrender

A Turkish soldier, whilst attempting to surrender to the fighters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Zap, Iraqi Kurdistan, was shot and killed by Turkish troops, Hawar News Agency (ANHA) reports.

ANHA quoted the following statement that was released by the the People’s Defence Forces (HPG), the armed wing of PKK: “A group [of Turkish soldiers] was surrounded by our forces on 10 September in Şamkê, Zap. One of the soldiers, realising that they had been surrounded, tried to surrender and come towards our fighters.

“While our fighters were trying to secure him, Turkish troops opened fire at him. Our fighters got into a clash with the troops in order to get the soldier alive, and one of our comrades was wounded. This was followed by a barrage of howitzer fire from the Turkish troops. The Turkish soldier, in his attempt to surrender, was hit and fell before he could reach our fighters. He was confirmed dead when our fighters managed to finally reach him.”

HPG announced the name of the soldier, a Turkish army professional private, as Sezai Güngör.